SoCon Stadiums

[GAD]

A look at the stadiums of the Southern Conference

https://youtu.be/RVoaK2-FmWk

[FUBeAR]

Dang…he called The Citadel’s stadium “embarrassing.”

[ElCid]

Dang…he called The Citadel’s stadium “embarrassing.”

We easily have one of the best home side stadiums in FCS. Better than many FBS. The visitors side is still being worked on. The demolition of the visitors side was moved up due to the environmental issues plaguing it. Obviously the virus pushed the timeline back even longer than originally planned. The visitor side is coming. Just takes time to do it right.

[kdinva]

finally, the last FCS conference featured.

[SU DOG]

Our small capacity is somewhat misleading seeing how Seibert Stadium is bowl shaped and has seen 10,000 plus attendance a few times years ago. Samford will have a new and slightly different look for our north end zone fairly soon that I really like. There is a $65 million project just announced today that will benefit both student recreation and athletics. Even though it is not a stadium improvement, as I would like to have seen, it is a very impressive addition that will be welcomed by football and several other sports.

Samford Announces State-of-the-Art Campus Recreation Complex (https://www.samford.edu/news/2022/06/Samford-Announces-State-of-the-Art-Campus-Recreation-Complex)

[FUBeAR]

Our small capacity is somewhat misleading seeing how Seibert Stadium is bowl shaped and has seen 10,000 plus attendance a few times years ago. Samford will have a new and slightly different look for our north end zone fairly soon that I really like. There is a $65 million project just announced today that will benefit both student recreation and athletics. Even though it is not a stadium improvement, as I would like to have seen, it is a very impressive addition that will be welcomed by football and several other sports.

Samford Announces State-of-the-Art Campus Recreation Complex (https://www.samford.edu/news/2022/06/Samford-Announces-State-of-the-Art-Campus-Recreation-Complex)

Cool! Closer visitors locker rooms part of this?

Not even at the drawing stage yet, but FU’s AD does discuss a future, potential upgrade/enhancement to Paladin Stadium in this video from about the 48:00 to the 51:00 marks.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5ogx33a_CI

He’s talking about an Endzone structure that would house a Football-only weight room and Luxury-type suites and/Club-Level type viewing/entertaining areas.

This structure, FUBeAR believes, would be located on the (current) scoreboard end of the field - the end nearer the top of this picture.
https://furmanpaladins.com/images/2021/6/18/PaladinStadium_NewTurf2021_13.jpg
https://www.google.com/search?q=paladin+stadium&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS952US952&hl=en-US&prmd=minv&sxsrf=ALiCzsbJpXHls7GzskLVDI6tBOVPEoFUyw:165409993 0399&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZ0Ji20oz4AhXqRDABHR9tCNoQ_AUoAnoECAIQA g&biw=810&bih=965&dpr=2#imgrc=5Lg8dK1IKwhfjM

Most likely the Furman Football Alumni will be asked to have the privilege of funding this addition…and will respond…as always.

[Catamount87]

After watching all of these stadium reviews, it's clear to me that the SoCon stadiums are pretty good compared to much of the FCS. There are definitely some great stadiums in FCS but even the less than ideal ones in the SoCon are worlds better than a good number of them. Too bad the images they had of EJW didn't have the new facade on the Ramsey Center because it looks great with the change from black glass to the brick colored panels!

32462 32463

[FUBeAR]

After watching all of these stadium reviews, it's clear to me that the SoCon stadiums are pretty good compared to much of the FCS. There are definitely some great stadiums in FCS but even the less than ideal ones in the SoCon are worlds better than a good number of them. Too bad the images they had of EJW didn't have the new facade on the Ramsey Center because it looks great with the change from black glass to the brick colored panels!

32462 32463
Maybe this will help…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00qXtjb6qgQ

Definitely less striking than the old Darth Vader’s Mountain Chalet look of the previous facade. Not sure if FUBeAR likes it better or not. Prolly does as it’s less distracting from the stadium. Will need to see it in person. Last trip up (2019…1st visit since 1983) was wonderful, so do want to go back. Looks like 2023 before FU or Mercer are @ WCU (barring a Playoff matchup), so it won’t be until then … Lord willin’

[caribbeanhen]

Maybe this will help…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00qXtjb6qgQ

Definitely less striking than the old Darth Vader’s Mountain Chalet look of the previous facade. Not sure if FUBeAR likes it better or not. Prolly does as it’s less distracting from the stadium. Will need to see it in person. Last trip up (2019…1st visit since 1983) was wonderful, so do want to go back. Looks like 2023 before FU or Mercer are @ WCU (barring a Playoff matchup), so it won’t be until then … Lord willin’

no palm trees?

Was this disclosed to all those Florida recruits...

[Catamount87]

no palm trees?

Was this disclosed to all those Florida recruits...

They were told about "Scott Beach" which was the hillside behind Scott dorm where everyone sunbathed back in the day. What they weren't told is that Scott dorm was torn down a few years ago. xlolx

[caribbeanhen]

They were told about "Scott Beach" which was the hillside behind Scott dorm where everyone sunbathed back in the day. What they weren't told is that Scott dorm was torn down a few years ago. xlolx

Seriously that’s a beautiful setting you have right there for a football game

Scott Beach sounds like A place where you could let it all hang out

[Sir William]

Maybe this will help…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00qXtjb6qgQ

Definitely less striking than the old Darth Vader’s Mountain Chalet look of the previous facade. Not sure if FUBeAR likes it better or not. Prolly does as it’s less distracting from the stadium. Will need to see it in person. Last trip up (2019…1st visit since 1983) was wonderful, so do want to go back. Looks like 2023 before FU or Mercer are @ WCU (barring a Playoff matchup), so it won’t be until then … Lord willin’

As much as I don't like the Catamounts (yes, it goes back to '83), and as much as Cullowhee has little to offer (though downtown Sylva NC is not so bad), Whitmire Stadium is a beautiful setting for FCS football (even though the Cats have achieved nothing on the gridiron since the glory days of the late and great Bob Waters).

[The Cats]

They were told about "Scott Beach" which was the hillside behind Scott dorm where everyone sunbathed back in the day. What they weren't told is that Scott dorm was torn down a few years ago. xlolx

"Scott Beach" in the 80s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1CNA4aWJ1E&t=12s

[FUBeAR]

"Scott Beach" in the 80s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1CNA4aWJ1E&t=12s
Obviously, the phrase “SKIN WILL WIN” never made it up to the Mountains of Cullowhee.

Skimmed thru, but was gettin’ a Liberty Baptist / Bob Jones vide throughout. Guess Baptist schools were where the real action was taking place in the 80’s.