Offseason Wish List

[fourthandshort]

With regard to moving the field a few yards further south, I;m starting to think not. I looked more closely at the new east side placement and noticed 2 things that would suggest the field will NOT be moved and that Kaufman will probably come down at some point:

Interesting take on Kaufman coming down. I've wondered myself what all will be included with the proposed IPF. Lots of the indoor facilities are becoming more than just an indoor practice field, but are also including things like locker rooms, weight rooms, and coaches offices. It would certainly be nice to have an "all inclusive" football facility, although that would obviously drive the cost WAY up and move the timeline back that much farther.

Something even remotely close to this would be sweet...

http://timetoshinememphis.com/galleries#football

Yep, there has to be a reason the 4 entry points are centered and but the entire east side section is not. No way they would not center this, unless they were adding another section 100 to the north, which would then be centered .. and would require Kaufman be torn down.

I hear they are trying to keep IPF concept simple .. I think there are both space and budget limitations. I'm fine with keeping this simple and under budget. ISU is careful with how the spend/invest money .. and do it well. I would rather we "save" money for Hancock 3.0, 4.0, etc. Players and recruits mainly just want a place to play in winter and for bad weather, or indoor game prep .. I'm fine to sticking to basics with IPF, then check the box, and move on to next idea.

[MadBird]

Indoor practice facility - I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route, but here's a couple examples of what has been accomplished at DII and DIII schools with some ingenuity and creativity. Domes at St. Cloud State and St. John's University.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpxBhzyBvZY

http://www.gojohnnies.com/sports/2017/1 ... -dome.aspx

https://www.csbsju.edu/sju-archives/sju ... sonal-dome

Seems like ISU ought to be able to put something together if something this functional and relatively inexpensive can be done at DII and DIII schools.

[BallwinBird2012]

Indoor practice facility - I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route, but here's a couple examples of what has been accomplished at DII and DIII schools with some ingenuity and creativity. Domes at St. Cloud State and St. John's University.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpxBhzyBvZY

http://www.gojohnnies.com/sports/2017/1 ... -dome.aspx

https://www.csbsju.edu/sju-archives/sju ... sonal-dome

Seems like ISU ought to be able to put something together if something this functional and relatively inexpensive can be done at DII and DIII schools.

I'm personally not a fan of the bubbles. I know it's petty, but I just think they look cheap and temporary. Obviously it's better than what we have, but I'd love to set the sights a little higher. Just not that much "wow" factor IMO. For cheaper, DII comparisons that I could be cool with:

http://www.gogriffons.com/sports/2011/1 ... th=general

http://www.pittstategorillas.com/facilities/?id=92

https://www.nwmissouri.edu/HughesFieldhouse/

First one was a little over 10 mil and the second was just over 13. Both pretty reasonable IMO. Didn't see any numbers for Northwest MO, but it sounds like they are using some funds from the community to help pay for it and then utilizing the facility for trade shows, conferences, etc... Interesting/innovative way to get it done.

[MadBird]

Indoor practice facility - I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route, but here's a couple examples of what has been accomplished at DII and DIII schools with some ingenuity and creativity. Domes at St. Cloud State and St. John's University.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpxBhzyBvZY

http://www.gojohnnies.com/sports/2017/1 ... -dome.aspx

https://www.csbsju.edu/sju-archives/sju ... sonal-dome

Seems like ISU ought to be able to put something together if something this functional and relatively inexpensive can be done at DII and DIII schools.

I'm personally not a fan of the bubbles. I know it's petty, but I just think they look cheap and temporary. Obviously it's better than what we have, but I'd love to set the sights a little higher. Just not that much "wow" factor IMO. For cheaper, DII comparisons that I could be cool with:

http://www.gogriffons.com/sports/2011/1 ... th=general

http://www.pittstategorillas.com/facilities/?id=92

https://www.nwmissouri.edu/HughesFieldhouse/

First one was a little over 10 mil and the second was just over 13. Both pretty reasonable IMO. Didn't see any numbers for Northwest MO, but it sounds like they are using some funds from the community to help pay for it and then utilizing the facility for trade shows, conferences, etc... Interesting/innovative way to get it done.

I said "I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route . . ." - I was just tossing out what could be done with minimal cash and initiative, at a lower classification than ISU. Thanks for tossing out a couple more ideas.

[JHBird]

Why don't we just make Hancock stadium a dome stadium? Look what happens when we have some bad weather, hardly anybody shows up. At least then we our indoor practice facility as well.

[TIMMY]

Indoor practice facility - I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route, but here's a couple examples of what has been accomplished at DII and DIII schools with some ingenuity and creativity. Domes at St. Cloud State and St. John's University.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpxBhzyBvZY

http://www.gojohnnies.com/sports/2017/1 ... -dome.aspx

https://www.csbsju.edu/sju-archives/sju ... sonal-dome

Seems like ISU ought to be able to put something together if something this functional and relatively inexpensive can be done at DII and DIII schools.

I'm personally not a fan of the bubbles. I know it's petty, but I just think they look cheap and temporary. Obviously it's better than what we have, but I'd love to set the sights a little higher. Just not that much "wow" factor IMO. For cheaper, DII comparisons that I could be cool with:

http://www.gogriffons.com/sports/2011/1 ... th=general

http://www.pittstategorillas.com/facilities/?id=92

https://www.nwmissouri.edu/HughesFieldhouse/

First one was a little over 10 mil and the second was just over 13. Both pretty reasonable IMO. Didn't see any numbers for Northwest MO, but it sounds like they are using some funds from the community to help pay for it and then utilizing the facility for trade shows, conferences, etc... Interesting/innovative way to get it done.

I said "I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route . . ." - I was just tossing out what could be done with minimal cash and initiative, at a lower classification than ISU. Thanks for tossing out a couple more ideas.

And I'm suggesting ISU should go this route. I said it 10 years ago. And in all likelihood I'll say it again in ten years. How many more classes are going to graduate before they can build the Taj Mahal? Answer: too many. This is an on field performance issue for many sports at ISU. We operate athletically at a big deficit. How do we not get that? Our kids can't even run routes while our completion does. Throw up a damned dome and get on with winning. Do ya think Carson Wentz threw to his receivers in January? How bout daily. http://www.gobison.com/facilities/?id=31

[GratefulRed]

Wait until Uhigh moves down the street, tear down the existing building, Kaufman, and the glass building and close in the north end with football building, indoor practice facility, and giant wind block for days like the NDSU game.
You could make some nice balcony seats/suites off of the offices for recruiting weekends/visits. Weight room and equipment facilities looking out to field like U of I student section.

I would post an image but cant figure it out. Is there a way to add an attachment to a post?

[Birdfan 4Life]

http://www.appstatesports.com/news/2017 ... rowds.aspx

Fond memories of winning at App State in 2012. They are a model of what success at FCS and into FBS can look like with fan support. The amount of students they get at their games may be the most impressive for the size of the school.

[Total Red]

http://www.appstatesports.com/news/2017 ... rowds.aspx

Fond memories of winning at App State in 2012. They are a model of what success at FCS and into FBS can look like with fan support. The amount of students they get at their games may be the most impressive for the size of the school.

When fans truly want something it becomes very doable.

[fourthandshort]

I'm personally not a fan of the bubbles. I know it's petty, but I just think they look cheap and temporary. Obviously it's better than what we have, but I'd love to set the sights a little higher. Just not that much "wow" factor IMO. For cheaper, DII comparisons that I could be cool with:

http://www.gogriffons.com/sports/2011/1 ... th=general

http://www.pittstategorillas.com/facilities/?id=92

https://www.nwmissouri.edu/HughesFieldhouse/

First one was a little over 10 mil and the second was just over 13. Both pretty reasonable IMO. Didn't see any numbers for Northwest MO, but it sounds like they are using some funds from the community to help pay for it and then utilizing the facility for trade shows, conferences, etc... Interesting/innovative way to get it done.

I said "I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route . . ." - I was just tossing out what could be done with minimal cash and initiative, at a lower classification than ISU. Thanks for tossing out a couple more ideas.

And I'm suggesting ISU should go this route. I said it 10 years ago. And in all likelihood I'll say it again in ten years. How many more classes are going to graduate before they can build the Taj Mahal? Answer: too many. This is an on field performance issue for many sports at ISU. We operate athletically at a big deficit. How do we not get that? Our kids can't even run routes while our completion does. Throw up a damned dome and get on with winning. Do ya think Carson Wentz threw to his receivers in January? How bout daily. http://www.gobison.com/facilities/?id=31

I get your "taj mahal" point and might have agreed up until 2 months ago when ISU published this video with AD Lyon's talking about the fund raising progress and infrastructure plans. he made it sound like it is not too far away. So I see no reason to settle for a bubble.

http://www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com/

Did you see this ? Or just don't believe it will come together any time soon ?

[Total Red]

I get your "taj mahal" point and might have agreed up until 2 months ago when ISU published this video with AD Lyon's talking about the fund raising progress and infrastructure plans. he made it sound like it is not too far away. So I see no reason to settle for a bubble.

http://www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com/

Did you see this ? Or just don't believe it will come together any time soon ?

I'm with you. If we're close to getting the proposed IPF I'm willing to wait a little while longer to get something that looks nice.

My question is this. The Redbird Rising Campaign has a goal of $150 million and we're already well on the way. I believe the goal will be met. Does that mean that everything proposed in the campaign including the IPF becomes funded or do donations need to made specifically to the IPF project for it get done?

[BallwinBird2012]

I said "I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route . . ." - I was just tossing out what could be done with minimal cash and initiative, at a lower classification than ISU. Thanks for tossing out a couple more ideas.

And I'm suggesting ISU should go this route. I said it 10 years ago. And in all likelihood I'll say it again in ten years. How many more classes are going to graduate before they can build the Taj Mahal? Answer: too many. This is an on field performance issue for many sports at ISU. We operate athletically at a big deficit. How do we not get that? Our kids can't even run routes while our completion does. Throw up a damned dome and get on with winning. Do ya think Carson Wentz threw to his receivers in January? How bout daily. http://www.gobison.com/facilities/?id=31

I get your "taj mahal" point and might have agreed up until 2 months ago when ISU published this video with AD Lyon's talking about the fund raising progress and infrastructure plans. he made it sound like it is not too far away. So I see no reason to settle for a bubble.

http://www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com/

Did you see this ? Or just don't believe it will come together any time soon ?

[TIMMY]

I said "I'm not suggesting ISU should go this route . . ." - I was just tossing out what could be done with minimal cash and initiative, at a lower classification than ISU. Thanks for tossing out a couple more ideas.

And I'm suggesting ISU should go this route. I said it 10 years ago. And in all likelihood I'll say it again in ten years. How many more classes are going to graduate before they can build the Taj Mahal? Answer: too many. This is an on field performance issue for many sports at ISU. We operate athletically at a big deficit. How do we not get that? Our kids can't even run routes while our completion does. Throw up a damned dome and get on with winning. Do ya think Carson Wentz threw to his receivers in January? How bout daily. http://www.gobison.com/facilities/?id=31

I get your "taj mahal" point and might have agreed up until 2 months ago when ISU published this video with AD Lyon's talking about the fund raising progress and infrastructure plans. he made it sound like it is not too far away. So I see no reason to settle for a bubble.

http://www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com/

Did you see this ? Or just don't believe it will come together any time soon ?

Sure I saw it. The freshman that are here now will never step foot in that building as undergrads. I didn't say they can't build it. Or that they shouldn't. But it takes very little to throw up a bubble on the Hancock turf the way Illinois did at Memorial stadium. The NDSU example goes up in the fall and comes down in the spring. It's not their only indoor facility by the way. It ain't rocket science but competing in the here and now gets lost on our administration.

[fourthandshort]

And I'm suggesting ISU should go this route. I said it 10 years ago. And in all likelihood I'll say it again in ten years. How many more classes are going to graduate before they can build the Taj Mahal? Answer: too many. This is an on field performance issue for many sports at ISU. We operate athletically at a big deficit. How do we not get that? Our kids can't even run routes while our completion does. Throw up a damned dome and get on with winning. Do ya think Carson Wentz threw to his receivers in January? How bout daily. http://www.gobison.com/facilities/?id=31

I get your "taj mahal" point and might have agreed up until 2 months ago when ISU published this video with AD Lyon's talking about the fund raising progress and infrastructure plans. he made it sound like it is not too far away. So I see no reason to settle for a bubble.

http://www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com/

Did you see this ? Or just don't believe it will come together any time soon ?

Sure I saw it. The freshman that are here now will never step foot in that building as undergrads. I didn't say they can't build it. Or that they shouldn't. But it takes very little to throw up a bubble on the Hancock turf the way Illinois did at Memorial stadium. The NDSU example goes up in the fall and comes down in the spring. It's not their only indoor facility by the way. It ain't rocket science but competing in the here and now gets lost on our administration.

got your point now .. wonder what it costs for bubble. If cheap enough. might want 2 indoor facilities .. one bubble for immediate use; one brick and mortar for long term use. I'm sure there will be times when 2 facilities can be utilized. Even if to host outside events to utilize bubble availability once brick and mortar one is built.

Again, if cost justified for short and long term, it might make sense .. and solve an immediate need !!

[Total Red]

After watching the NDSU game I'd say our receivers need more work catching the ball outside in cold weather.

[TIMMY]

After watching the NDSU game I'd say our receivers need more work catching the ball outside in cold weather.

You're not sayin, you're just sayin.

[TIMMY]

I get your "taj mahal" point and might have agreed up until 2 months ago when ISU published this video with AD Lyon's talking about the fund raising progress and infrastructure plans. he made it sound like it is not too far away. So I see no reason to settle for a bubble.

http://www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com/

Did you see this ? Or just don't believe it will come together any time soon ?

Sure I saw it. The freshman that are here now will never step foot in that building as undergrads. I didn't say they can't build it. Or that they shouldn't. But it takes very little to throw up a bubble on the Hancock turf the way Illinois did at Memorial stadium. The NDSU example goes up in the fall and comes down in the spring. It's not their only indoor facility by the way. It ain't rocket science but competing in the here and now gets lost on our administration.

got your point now .. wonder what it costs for bubble. If cheap enough. might want 2 indoor facilities .. one bubble for immediate use; one brick and mortar for long term use. I'm sure there will be times when 2 facilities can be utilized. Even if to host outside events to utilize bubble availability once brick and mortar one is built.

Again, if cost justified for short and long term, it might make sense .. and solve an immediate need !!

https://www.athleticbusiness.com/gym-fi ... domes.html
Pretty good source here.
But cost aside, if you're set on brick and mortar this buys you time to get it done right. And it helps you stay competitive in the meantime.

[Birdfan 4Life]

With regard to moving the field a few yards further south, I;m starting to think not. I looked more closely at the new east side placement and noticed 2 things that would suggest the field will NOT be moved and that Kaufman will probably come down at some point:

Interesting take on Kaufman coming down. I've wondered myself what all will be included with the proposed IPF. Lots of the indoor facilities are becoming more than just an indoor practice field, but are also including things like locker rooms, weight rooms, and coaches offices. It would certainly be nice to have an "all inclusive" football facility, although that would obviously drive the cost WAY up and move the timeline back that much farther.

Something even remotely close to this would be sweet...

http://timetoshinememphis.com/galleries#football

Found some information on the Time to Shine Campaign Memphis is doing for Basketball and Football that BallwinBird mentioned above.

https://www.athleticbusiness.com/gym-fi ... ility.html
Looks like Memphis was trying to get the football IPF funded for the last 5 years. I don't know if this means that they were only able to raise $600,000 for the Football Facility referenced below during that time.

"The school held a groundbreaking ceremony for the indoor practice facility in April. In August, the university's Board of Trustees approved $10 million in debt financing from the Tennessee State School Bond Authority in order to start construction of the indoor practice facility."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/s ... 536931001/
This article states they used $600,000 in gifts to cover the full figure of $10.6 Million. "The debt will be backed by the American Athletic Conference revenue, and potentially, university support that would be repaid by the athletic departments Time to Shine fundraising campaign".


ISU Athletics Goal for the Redbirds Rising Campaign is $34 Million within the total $150 Million goal by June 2020 (the university campaign had $106 Million from July 2013 until it was announced in September). This would have me believe that if the overall campaign is successful and Athletics portion is successful, they will see some of their "Greatest Needs" met by the Board of Trustees. I would be very disappointed if nothing is announced by June 2020 on the Indoor Practice Facility front.

I'll continue to give money to the IPF each year hoping it happens. It would be nice if Athletics reached out to every Student Athlete that ever donned the Red and White, regardless of sport, and asked them to support this Athletic Department project that would benefit every single sport at ISU!!!

[cpacmel]

Kaufman building isn’t going anywhere fellas. Even when an indoor facility eventually comes.

[fourthandshort]

Sure I saw it. The freshman that are here now will never step foot in that building as undergrads. I didn't say they can't build it. Or that they shouldn't. But it takes very little to throw up a bubble on the Hancock turf the way Illinois did at Memorial stadium. The NDSU example goes up in the fall and comes down in the spring. It's not their only indoor facility by the way. It ain't rocket science but competing in the here and now gets lost on our administration.

got your point now .. wonder what it costs for bubble. If cheap enough. might want 2 indoor facilities .. one bubble for immediate use; one brick and mortar for long term use. I'm sure there will be times when 2 facilities can be utilized. Even if to host outside events to utilize bubble availability once brick and mortar one is built.

Again, if cost justified for short and long term, it might make sense .. and solve an immediate need !!

https://www.athleticbusiness.com/gym-fi ... domes.html
Pretty good source here.
But cost aside, if you're set on brick and mortar this buys you time to get it done right. And it helps you stay competitive in the meantime.

so figure $10 per sq ft for buying the bubble, estimated size at 180 ft wide (full field 165 ft width is ideal) x 300 ft long (80 yard field with 2 end zones is good enough) = 54,000 sq feet .. so call it 540k, plus annual cost of set up / take down and storage. Not sure if the $10 per sq ft includes lighting they hooked up ??

And even better in that it can go right over Hancock field, so no additional land is needed during winter months (Dec-Feb). This way players can take advantage of exact same turf/footing as regular season. It can even be moved elsewhere during other 9 months of year for dealing with inclement weather (rain/wind/lightning, etc). Probably have to deflate for tornado threats ??

Very easy to justify 540k plus some annual overhead for something with this much potential benefit. Players and recruits just want an indoor option .. sooner the better, while we wait for brick and mortar option.