SEC Athletics Facilities Race

[Inhogswetrust]

That we do.  And there's a master plan already in the works for that and several other things including expanded luxury seating and such that would probably take the capacity up to around 93,000.  I imagine once all the SEC Network money starts rolling in, they can accelerate some of those plans.

I bet that network money is reserved by old barn for recruits........................................

In all seriousness though congrats on a well fought victory.

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  16h

Thanks to Houston Chronicle web whiz Justin Boyd @rjustinb, one-stop shopping for pics from Kyle Field tour: http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/09/photos-a-look-inside-the-renovated-kyle-field ...


Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  19h

Example of the new menu at the new Kyle Field:

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  21h

I shot video of the Kyle Field statue unveilings, much of it with a 5-year-old munchkin on my shoulders: http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/09/video-kyle-field-statue-unveilings/ ...

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  30m
Check out progress on Alabama baseball's Sewell-Thomas Stadium renovation project. http://ow.ly/Bs62h  (video at link)

Alabama's baseball program will be playing everything away from Tuscaloosa in the 2015 season as they renovate and update the aging on-campus facility. The team is still able to practice on the diamond as they tear out the guys of the stadium under the seating bowl.

The $35 million project began in July when the first bleachers were removed.

Alabama will play its 2015 home games at The Hoover Met before returning to the newly remade Sewell-Thomas Stadium in 2016.

[jbcarol]

GoGamecocks.com @gogamecocks  ·  14h

Facilities update: New football practice fields ready; major projects moving along http://scne.ws/6ttBSV  #gg

Ray Tanner updated several of South Carolina's facility projects during a "state of the union" report of the athletic department to USC's Board of Trustees on Friday.

...plan to expand women's basketball coach Dawn Staley's office space and to move men's coach Frank Martin and his staff to the lower level of Carolina Coliseum. That move will take place once the state approves the plan; the project will cost $4 million and add a new entryway to the Coliseum that can appeal to recruits.

That ties in with the current project of installing two practice courts on the playing surface at the Coliseum. It is set to be completed by Oct. 6-7.

"It's not ideal for both teams to be practicing at the same time, but it is possible," Tanner said. "And it is a tremendous addition for us."

Other projects with estimated completions:

* Outdoor football practice fields ($3 million). The new location, behind Gamecock Park, is ready after the grass was laid last month. The Gamecocks hope to be practicing there by mid-October.

To shuttle the players from Williams-Brice Stadium to the new fields, Tanner said they are leaning toward trams. He mentioned Disney World's tram system as a comparison.

"We're looking at a number of different options, and they're all sort of in the tram family," Tanner said.

Practice fields (DWAYNE MCLEMORE)

[jbcarol]

Telco @TelcoAg  ·  Aug 5

INCOMING - More grass on it's way to Kyle Field (h/t @freh_dee)

Sammy Khan, Jr.: Kyle Field conditions challenging for teams

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Late in the fourth quarter, the fans at Kyle Field let out a loud cheer after freshman backup quarterback Kyle Allen completed a pass to Malcome Kennedy for a 9-yard gain and a first down.

But the cheer wasn't for Allen or the Texas A&M offense or the play. It was for the Kyle Field grounds crew, who spent a few seconds placing sand in a divot. The group was rather busy on Saturday night during the Aggies' 38-10 win over Rice, tending to the playing surface as large divots emerged throughout the game.

The Aggies have a new grass surface this season (the previous one had to be replaced during the Kyle Field redevelopment project, which is ongoing) and College Station received a torrential downpour of rain on Friday night, which didn't help field conditions.

Rice coach David Bailiff expressed concern about the field conditions and, according to the Houston Chronicle, spoke with Texas A&M athletic director Eric Hyman after the game.

Joseph Duarte @Chronicle_Owls
Kyle Field turf near midfield
12:59 AM - 14 Sep 2014

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  2h
A&M AD Eric Hyman tells Chronicle field didn't cause Aggies injuries, and artificial turf isn't consideration: http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/09/aggies-ad-hyman-addresses-kyles-soggy-field-coming-up-in-

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  2h

Signs, thanks to adidas, point to a 1939 national-title throwback day on Nov. 1 at Kyle Field (Aggies Blog): http://www.chron.com/sports/aggies/article/Aggies-tightlipped-on-possible-1939-throwback-5761673.php ...

adidas Football US @adidasFballUS  ·  21h
Honor the past. Own the future. A tribute to the 1939 National Champion Aggies. 11/1/14. #GigEm #teamadidas

[jbcarol]

Missouri basketball fans will be greeted by the sight of a new video board hanging over the center of Norm Stewart Court when they make their way to Mizzou Arena later this fall.

It is the centerpiece of a planned multi-million-dollar renovation project that the MU athletic department is undertaking on the 10-year-old arena.

The renovations will also include upgrades to the facility entryway with displays highlighting the tradition of the program and upgrades to the player development area, team lounge, locker room and academic area as well as the weight room.

The project was kick-started by a $1.5 million private gift designated for a new video board.

"Mizzou Arena is entering its 10th season and is tremendous facility for our basketball programs, but we need to enhance the areas that impact the fan experience, student athlete well-being and assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes," Athletic Director Mike Alden said in a statement announcing the project. "In-game production and presentation is a significant factor in the game day experience for our fans and a new video board and sound system inside the Arena is a significant focus of this project. We also want to modernize our locker room and player lounge. We are proud to announce the first phase of that renovation" the player lounge "will begin immediately."

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  14h

According to @theeagle, A&M will change out its grass field prior to next home game: http://www.theeagle.com/news/a_m/sources-tell-the-eagle-changes-coming-to-kyle-field-turf/article_efd9fa5a-3f7f-11e4-bce1-cb0cfe627f3d.html ...

Last year a bad defense kept high-octane A&M from competing for national title. Fans will go nuts if this year the reason is a bad field.


Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  17h

I apologize, our website has been slow as smoke off water today (an R.C. Slocum beauty) --

[jbcarol]

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  14h

McGarity explains what comes next on indoor practice facility. http://www.macon.com/2014/09/19/3316100/uga-to-spend-400k-to-study-football.html ...


Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  · 

Re: Indoor practice facility, UGA athletic board will be asked to approve $400,000 for a "design study" for it. So that's it for now.

[jbcarol]

Stanley Boom Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  17h

More WWE guys at Joe Craft RT @WWECesaro: Shout out to @KentuckyMBB tremendous facility #WWELexington #gym

http://instagram.com/p/tLjKHjtodu/


Stanley Boom Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  20h

Here is Cena with Tod Lanter RT @tod_lanterIII: My man was just reppin 225's...100,000 times

[tigerinhogtown]

http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_basketball/mizzou-arena-getting-upgrades-after-years/article_8518a403-2ff3-5f08-8439-371c0435a041.html

New $1.5 million video board plus "The renovations will also include upgrades to the facility entryway with displays highlighting the tradition of the program and upgrades to the player development area, team lounge, locker room and academic area as well as the weight room."

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  16h

Texas A&M's problems with its grass surface at Kyle Field impacts not only the Aggies, but a couple of local high schools. From the College Station school district website:

The football game between A&M Consolidated High School and College Station High School originally scheduled to be played at Kyle Field (on Oct. 24), will be moved to Tigerland Stadium.

"We certainly recognize the challenges this decision presents for the schools and our community, and we appreciate the understanding of College Station ISD officials most recently and throughout the entire Kyle Field redevelopment process," said Texas A&M Director of Athletics Eric Hyman. "The extreme rain on Sept. 12 unfortunately led to poor field conditions at Kyle Field during the Rice game, and the decision ultimately was made to replace the entire playing surface with new natural grass. With four remaining home games this season, our team of turf specialists has recommended that we limit access to the Kyle Field playing surface outside of these games."

[Inhogswetrust]

Stanley Boom Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  17h

More WWE guys at Joe Craft RT @WWECesaro: Shout out to @KentuckyMBB tremendous facility #WWELexington #gym

http://instagram.com/p/tLjKHjtodu/


Stanley Boom Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  20h

Here is Cena with Tod Lanter RT @tod_lanterIII: My man was just reppin 225's...100,000 times

Good grief how many roids can one person take.

[NoNC4Tubs]

Good grief how many roids can one person take.

Monster arms and chicken legs.......Hahaha

[jbcarol]

Monster arms and chicken legs.......Hahaha

Cena too.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  14h

Alabama Baseball stadium demolition starts making deep cuts into Sewell-Thomas Stadium | http://ow.ly/BT0Zi

See the gallery at the link above for detailed photos as the demolition of Sewell-Thomas Stadium reaches the tops levels of the stadium, with major chunks coming down from the top and outer sides of the stadium. Also of note in the gallery is the progress of the new parking opposite Sewell-Thomas and other activity around the rear of the stadium. While the new stadium is being constructed, Alabama will play its 2015 season at the Hoover Met.

[jbcarol]

Keith Niebuhr @Keith247Sports  ·  Sep 26
RT @DickieV  Jeremy Foley AD @Florida will give a coach all the resources to win- /// Unless you ask for indoor facility

[NoNC4Tubs]

Keith Niebuhr @Keith247Sports  ·  Sep 26
RT @DickieV  Jeremy Foley AD @Florida will give a coach all the resources to win- /// Unless you ask for indoor facility

They don't need one.........and that in itself is a recruiting point! 

[jbcarol]

Jon Solomon @JonSolomonCBS  ·  2h 2 hours ago

FBS schools are undergoing or planning football stadium renovations that total more than $3.6 billion. http://cbsprt.co/1xBr2Qu

Link includes chart detailing the current stadium renovation projects, cost, and capacity changes.

What's the right size for a college football stadium?

A&M added 20,000 seats to enclose the stadium and bring its capacity to more than 106,000 -- topping the size of the rival Longhorns... The Aggies have a new 163-foot wide video board, the largest in college football. They have new amenities in the concourse areas. And this was just the first phase of the renovation.

Kentucky is downsizing from 67,000 to 61,000 seats while adding 24 suites and 2,500 club seats. Each suite will cost $60,000, meaning Kentucky could generate $1.4 million in new revenue.

"We're in what I would consider a small-population market," Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said.

[jbcarol]

Cannon fire returns to Kyle Field

Each time Texas A&M scores a touchdown at its next home game against Ole Miss, fans can expect to hear the sound of a cannon firing.

ESPN CollegeFootball @ESPNCFB  ·  Oct 1
The top four teams in points allowed per game are a combined 14-1 this season. #CFBLive

A tradition for years, the cannon wasn't fired at the school's most recent game because of safety concerns about it being used in the newly updated Kyle Field stadium. Texas A&M officials believe they can safely fire the cannon from the field's southeast tower for the rest of the season.

The Corps of Cadets will fire the cannon when the Aggies score on Oct. 11, and Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez Jr., who leads the group, said the plan from the beginning has always been to find a way to carry on the 30-year custom. For the school's first home game against Lamar, fans watched on stadium screens as the cannon was being fired in a practice field.

Texas A&M interim president Mark Hussey said he appreciated school officials, including members of the Environmental Health and Safety Office and representatives of the university system, who worked toward a solution in restoring the tradition with the Corps of Cadets.

[jbcarol]

Razorback Baseball @RazorbackBSB  ·  Oct 2

It is pretty clear how Coach Van Horn feels about one of the best collegiate indoor facilities in the country. #WPS

[jbcarol]

SEC Football ‏@SECfootball

Florida Gators accepting bids to construct $11.9 million indoor practice facility

[NoNC4Tubs]

Razorback Baseball @RazorbackBSB  ·  Oct 2

It is pretty clear how Coach Van Horn feels about one of the best collegiate indoor facilities in the country. #WPS

Very nice!!! 

[The_Iceman]

"Kentucky is downsizing from 67,000 to 61,000 seats while adding 24 suites and 2,500 club seats. Each suite will cost $60,000, meaning Kentucky could generate $1.4 million in new revenue."

This is what Arkansas needs to do. Remove the bleacher seats and install all chairbacks throughout the stadium. Give the stadium a more pro-stadium like feel to it, plus it will be nice for people to have their own guaranteed seat. It will decrease capacity, but with the way college football and the SEC-Network is going, that may not be a bad thing. Plus, you will make that up with the NEZ expansion.

Then, add as many skyboxes to the stadium as possible. NEZ, indoor club renovations, etc. That is where the money is.

[jbcarol]

Brandon Marcello @bmarcello  ·  2 minutes ago
Mississippi State announces a crowd of 62,945. It's the largest crowd in school history.

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  9 minutes ago
Largest crowd in history to watch any kind of football game in state of Texas watching home team (A&M) down 21-0 early in 2nd qtr to OleMiss

[jbcarol]

BBL: Plans for new UK football practice facility (access to link)

[jbcarol]

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  23 hours ago

Georgia will practice outside today. Richt thinks the rain will slow down enough to allow it. They can use the field turf.

Regarding the indoor practice facility, Richt said his preference is for it to be "as close as possible" to their building.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  Oct 15

#ICYMI: UK football unveils plans for $45 million "one-stop shop" that'll be posh for players, enticing to recruits: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/uk-beat/2014/10/15/uk-unveils-plan-for-palatial-football-facility/17290245/ ...

[jbcarol]

Scott StricklinVerified account@stricklinMSU
Here it is ... the final Davis Wade Stadium expansion timelapse in all it's glory. #HailState 

http://youtu.be/hZo4HUKInK0

[jbcarol]

Duke drew 28,131 fans to Wallace Wade Stadium for its Homecoming win over UVA on Saturday. Not a lot of people, but a lot of very smart people, in a manner of speaking, though you have to question how wise some of the smart people on campus are considering what they're thinking about doing with untold tens of millions of dollars.

As in, committing a chunk of the $250 million that the university wants to spend on athletics facilities upgrades, operations and endowment (see update below) on making Wallace Wade a "boutique" football stadium.

[jbcarol]

Adam Sparks @AdamSparks  ·  5h 5 hours ago
Checked out #Vandy's Memorial Gym hallowed hallway before basketball practice.

[jbcarol]

SEC Sports @SEC  ·  9 minutes ago

#SECTipoff15: Andy Kennedy on Ole Miss' new arena: "I'm super excited. We've been in Tad Smith a long time."

#SECTipoff15: Andy Kennedy: "With enhancement of The Pavilion at Ole Miss, I think it's going to be an exciting venue for our players."

[jbcarol]

Ross Dellenger @DellengerAdv  ·  8 hours ago
Replica of #LSU Tiger Stadium - in cans.

[NoNC4Tubs]

Ross Dellenger @DellengerAdv  ·  8 hours ago
Replica of #LSU Tiger Stadium - in cans.

Beer cans..........

[jbcarol]

Scott StricklinVerified account@stricklinMSU
Here it is ... the final Davis Wade Stadium expansion timelapse in all it's glory. #HailState 

http://youtu.be/hZo4HUKInK0

loganlowery @loganlowery  ·  1 hour ago

[Coach Dan] Mullen believes the new bowled in end zone helps create a home field advantage at Davis Wade Stadium.

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  22 hours ago

Packing up photos in the Joe B studio. Anybody recognize this building under construction?

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  33 minutes ago

Mitch Barnhart announces new $45 million Football practice faculty will break ground in January [in Lexington]

[jbcarol]

A&M has 12 men in the tackle box.

[jbcarol]

Sizing up the SEC

Comebacks

■ Once a heralded recruit, Georgia's Marcus Thornton once considered not playing anymore because of knee injuries. His return to health keyed the Bulldogs' second-half surge last season.

■ Tennessee's Robert Hubbs III, a five-star prospect, was limited to 12 games last season because of labrum surgery on his non-shooting shoulder.

■ Former Mississippi State Coach Rick Stansbury, who ranks ninth all-time in career coaching victories at an SEC school, is a new assistant coach at Texas A&M.

■ Auburn, initially because of new coach Bruce Pearl's ability to create a buzz around a morbid program...

■ Mississippi's home court. The Tad Smith Coliseum is 50 years old. A new $69 million facility seating 9,500 is scheduled for opening in January 2016.

[jbcarol]

GoVolsXtra @GoVolsXtra  ·  6 minutes ago
UT moves forward on $15 million Thompson-Boling Arena renovation project: http://bit.ly/1x3w4BT

Changes will include: updated men's and women's locker rooms, upgraded restrooms, concourse improvements, mechanical and electrical upgrades and a new roof.

[jbcarol]

GoVolsXtra @GoVolsXtra  ·  6 minutes ago
UT moves forward on $15 million Thompson-Boling Arena renovation project: http://bit.ly/1x3w4BT

Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  8h 8 hours ago

Final thought of the eve. The upcoming TBA renovations are going to mean replacing the trough urinals. So, enjoy them while you can, dudes.

[jbcarol]

Kentucky's new practice facility evidence Stoops wants to stick around

Even a week before Mark Stoops signed a lucrative contract extension at Kentucky, it was clear to insiders that he wanted to be in Lexington for a long time.

Just seeing how involved the head coach was in the development of and fundraising for the $45 million football practice facility near Commonwealth Stadium was a clear indicator.

One of the central areas of the practice facility will be a spacious, light-filled weight room, which Korem said would be "amazing from the standpoint of space, the way it feels."

A nearby high-performance analysis room eventually will house a laboratory that will enable in-house health screenings, drug tests and even blood panels.

There will be space nearby for nutritionist Monica Fowler, and areas for sports psychology and sports massage, Korem said.

The building, which will cover roughly 90,000 square feet, will be a place where players may do everything they need to do, except go to class...

[jbcarol]

SEC Sports @SEC  ·  57 minutes ago

Tennessee unveils Joan Cronan Volleyball Center. Story from @briancrice: http://www.secsports.com/article/11832324/tennessee-unveils-joan-cronan-volleyball-center ... #SEC

[Inhogswetrust]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  22 hours ago

Packing up photos in the Joe B studio. Anybody recognize this building under construction?

Not sure but I'm thinking Rupp Arena.

[jbcarol]

Not sure but I'm thinking Rupp Arena.

Yep.

[jbcarol]

The University of Kentucky has finally released renderings of its planned $45 million football training facility and it appears to be every bit the glittering "one-stop shop" athletic director Mitch Barnhart promised back in January when the school's Board of Trustees approved the privately-funded project.

[Inhogswetrust]

Yep.

Haha! I'd like to thank my mother and father.........................