FCS Stadium Upgrades

[Milktruck74]

I know there are some BAD FCS stadiums around (I've played in plenty) and I know of some good ones too. So how got upgrades in the offseason?

Here are a few pics of the customized Luxury boxes at the Mocs' Finley Stadium. I'm not a golfer, but having a putting green in your luxury box is pretty cool!!!!!

https://www.timesfreepress.com/photos/galleries/2024/aug/01/how-to-experience-football-the-luxurious-way/

https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/imports/adg/photos/103292620_0824CM_Spaces_Stadiums139_t1000.jpg?cc6f a094ad523b984325c7879220d3883a443e7f

[FUBeAR]

I know there are some BAD FCS stadiums around (I've played in plenty) and I know of some good ones too. So how got upgrades in the offseason?

Here are a few pics of the customized Luxury boxes at the Mocs' Finley Stadium. I'm not a golfer, but having a putting green in your luxury box is pretty cool!!!!!

https://www.timesfreepress.com/photos/galleries/2024/aug/01/how-to-experience-football-the-luxurious-way/
Nice boxes. Furman has similar at Paladin Stadium. Need Mercer to build the planned press box in the home side for the Bears to have some nice boxes. Now, all socialization occurs in the Prez’s suite in the end zone field house.


Mercer re-surfaced their turf and went with an alternating lighter and darker green pattern, which Samford promptly copied.

Unfortunately, Mercer had a delay in the cool endzone beer garden community gathering area they had planned. Hopefully, we’ll see that in 2025.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GSPiIcka8AAPkyJ?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GTm9IUMWcAAHNX9?format=jpg&name=large


Furman added more purple-seats / removed some aluminum bench seating on the Home side. Upper deck seats on both sides of the Center Section.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GNyti4vWcAAV1yE?format=jpg&name=large

[McCowboys]

https://mcneesesports.com/news/2023/6/29/football-mcneese-breaks-ground-on-state-of-the-art-football-press-box.aspx

Back-to-back hurricanes in 2020 caused severe damage to Cowboy Stadium. A new press box is under construction:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0tjgOfGrVM9EU54OnZeoUWSPo7sSpj7KjzM70fsuMP NYKkqSbVOUNAZhr72HofrfsdhZj2t3TMUPkOtBqfaRhhVoFiNr wrPPJUJP-YfsuLFKA7i0cxGNOR6EZ-Vv5i-5yxV-w30MWvj4cLfbriWi1FOubD7fqfGxEeDmf7N7nL1VCSZDQoWQ6j u7OVhd/w390-h437/pb.jpg

Now has a roof and lights!
Media will be able to use the press box this season.
2025 is the completion date.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnylTQgUhylXgFnDOErXUu3dSutc1dzd3gqI4ETdhCH 3YJnHTF276UDbMtyRaUQ5X5sldpUxUx0T-ZH2n-ki6K4h-ygTam5ZVK_D4DILLP-f6jJjuweG71YpQomCNjvs1Kh0SLx3knZHKDWH0X2M-pUCfp8weNyY8KwQLX6Z-hu2xGH593AwTkE7t22Gs/w398-h242/zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzpressbox.jpg

[UAalum72]

New turf at Albany
(numbers and hashmarks not in yet, last I checked)

https://uc6be88cf653c02483b6d0f25bec.previews.dropboxuserc ontent.com/p/thumb/ACU0LCUS3zCGTtSl6VgR2-CjokxItUZZjHjANZ68i2SmzU48RQfgBIcrwkgaC-g30retmjl3R1uMmJwv3XdavtoI0rInaM1k5-5Me18GxHQf95ypLag4a7oW3XO2V9KLoZbQ2iTCLU5P_1dGjd85 VC8ce0q_NjDJgbnJsa_iHgAP4EDDvVlStNobmQpv4LSJBlOBzn OZSgA0l7aW0LeNPFLmXpNtyuCr8SbQpD-SBri3vdePJ4dPkX3t4VyvCPkwPjxpns2S9zYEKLICpk4elzxjZ shgKFyY-iKpItfoS7a26rsQGDllQQ0QLVfJcAaeYhgECm7oGRoY-7halIujvbV0veatW5CP1vIiToHL1k2QgC1oduCec__PZX6ERa-jWT7cO1LWBXm3aa4e3TeCDQsn/p.jpeg?is_prewarmed=true

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1195531518354482

[Outsider1]

Our stadium is pretty new, so didn't really need anything. Last year our practice field got new turf though, then next to it, we got new grass after this pic was taken. Our team practices on both turf and grass.

https://acusports.com/news/2023/6/6/football-acu-upgrades-bullington-practice-facility.aspx

[NY Crusader 2010]

Seriously wondering who is actually going to proactively remember to bring their putter to an FCS college football game.

[DFW HOYA]

None of these are bad stadiums. Where are the upgrades at Duquesne, at Houston Christian, at Charleston Southern?

[Outsider1]

None of these are bad stadiums. Where are the upgrades at Duquesne, at Houston Christian, at Charleston Southern?


Good question...

HCU has to buy-out CVS first.

[Tribe4SF]

W&M is adding beer sales that you can take to your seat. The end zone Tribe Tavern is being replaced by an upscale seating configuration with food and alcohol included.

[ngineer]

Lehigh did a redo of their practice fields over the past two years with construction of a new turf practice field as well as reconstruction of one of the sod fields to exactly mirror the surface of Goodman Stadium, i.e. crown slope and type of grass. Previously, they'd use the lacrosse stadium to get the feel of artificial turf when prepping for an away game. I believe we are the only PL school to have a sod grass stadium, and which I am glad we rebuilt after that horrible monsoon game with Holy Cross back around 2005. I understand that some schools are limited in acreage available to have a grass stadium since fields are needed for other sports (lacrosse, soccer, field hockey), so being able to have all teams use the field is necessary; but, I just feel the game was meant for grass. Plans unveiled a few months ago for an indoor facility that will accommodate football, as well as other sports, to be erected southeast of the current Cundey Fieldhouse. Hopefully, groundbreaking in 1-2 years.

[DFW HOYA]

Plans unveiled a few months ago for an indoor facility that will accommodate football, as well as other sports, to be erected southeast of the current Cundey Fieldhouse. Hopefully, groundbreaking in 1-2 years.

Has there been any discussion about a replacement for Stabler Arena?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Has there been any discussion about a replacement for Stabler Arena?

What in the world is wrong with Stabler? Especially relative to other PL facilities.

https://lehighsports.com/images/2018/3/5/Stabler_wideshot.jpg?width=1000&height=563&mode=crop

[DFW HOYA]

What in the world is wrong with Stabler? Especially relative to other PL facilities.


Merely its age. Facilities built in the 1970s have begun to show their wear.

[Redbird 4th & short]

Not a new stadium, but ISU Redbirds did get a new IPF bubble last winter. This was big help during offseason to finally have a real football surface for winter OTAs. Prior option was our old Fieldhouse Horton, which was ussed for basketball and volleyball. No turf, no lines, nothing useful for football except the roof and walls.

[SDFS]

Not a new stadium, but ISU Redbirds did get a new IPF bubble last winter. This was big help during offseason to finally have a real football surface for winter OTAs. Prior option was our old Fieldhouse Horton, which was ussed for basketball and volleyball. No turf, no lines, nothing useful for football except the roof and walls.

Looks good, I like it when other conference schools invest in the athletic programs. It pushes everyone to put up or shut up. I think UNI has some updates coming on-line also. The MVFC schools are really building up the programs. I think SDSU might have the nicest football/basketball facilities overall. But, USD and NDSU have very nice facilities also. USD just received it's largest sports donation to finish the other side of the Dakota Dome and an endowment to pay for the OC position. UND is in the middle of changes plus they just received a $4 million for athletic scholarship endowments.

[SDFS]

UND is in the middle of replacing Memorial Stadium with an "Athletic Village" area. It will include: apartment housings, coaches offices, athletics staff facility, indoor practice facility, new locker rooms and weight training area, sports medicine, new outdoor practice areas both field turf and natural grass, new softball stadium, and a new outdoor track and field events area. Here are a couple of screenshots. This is the general area. The building in the foreground is an apartment building with the coaches offices and commercial offices on the main floor.

[Redbird 4th & short]

Looks good, I like it when other conference schools invest in the athletic programs. It pushes everyone to put up or shut up. I think UNI has some updates coming on-line also. The MVFC schools are really building up the programs. I think SDSU might have the nicest football/basketball facilities overall. But, USD and NDSU have very nice facilities also. USD just received it's largest sports donation to finish the other side of the Dakota Dome and an endowment to pay for the OC position. UND is in the middle of changes plus they just received a $4 million for athletic scholarship endowments.
Agree with the all ships rise approach for MVFC. ISUr does well financially compared with our peer group universities. But as a result of their financial prudence/mgmt, they are careful with where and how fast they spend/invest in anything. So they are very slow but sure to catch up or close gaps. It can be frustrating knowing they could spend more or sooner, and dont. The other thing is they truly take an "all sports" approach to how then invest their dollars, which I can completely respect .. though it leaves the prime sport of football wanting more all the time.

What a game last fall, huh ... broke our hearts to lose on last drive. You guys had a very well rounded strong team. We played one of our better games for sure, esp on road. We have very high hopes this fall with a lot back.

[lionsrking2]

3338733388
Here are the renderings for our new field house addition plus renovation of current building. Hearing funding is secured and should break ground by the end of the year. Once completed, should easily be the finest facility in the Southland Conference and one of the best in FCS. Been a long time coming.

[Redbird 4th & short]

UND is in the middle of replacing Memorial Stadium with an "Athletic Village" area. It will include: apartment housings, coaches offices, athletics staff facility, indoor practice facility, new locker rooms and weight training area, sports medicine, new outdoor practice areas both field turf and natural grass, new softball stadium, and a new outdoor track and field events area. Here are a couple of screenshots. This is the general area. The building in the foreground is an apartment building with the coaches offices and commercial offices on the main floor.
impressive on 3 practice field options. We put our bubble on our grass practice field .. so we have Hanckock turf and bubble turf, no more grass .. unless they have something else in mind. But were thrilled to finally get the IPF. It was supposed to be brick and mortar, but some donor got in trouble and that funding fell thru (3m).

Lot of nice stuff you guys are doing .. so whats the overall budget ?

[Outsider1]

Since Wildcat stadium was new, with new practice turf, and we completely renovated Moody coliseum for basketball, it was time to finally upgrade the baseball stadium. We had already redid the turf and put in a new video board. Now it's time for new seating, club area and locker rooms. Also not football related, but nice all the same. They have already torn down the old seating and press box, except the 3rd base area and begun excavation for the new structure.

ACU Announces Phase One of Baseball Upgrade - Abilene Christian University Athletics (acusports.com) (https://acusports.com/news/2024/5/17/acu-announces-phase-one-of-baseball-upgrade.aspx)

[Go...gate]

Lehigh did a redo of their practice fields over the past two years with construction of a new turf practice field as well as reconstruction of one of the sod fields to exactly mirror the surface of Goodman Stadium, i.e. crown slope and type of grass. Previously, they'd use the lacrosse stadium to get the feel of artificial turf when prepping for an away game. I believe we are the only PL school to have a sod grass stadium, and which I am glad we rebuilt after that horrible monsoon game with Holy Cross back around 2005. I understand that some schools are limited in acreage available to have a grass stadium since fields are needed for other sports (lacrosse, soccer, field hockey), so being able to have all teams use the field is necessary; but, I just feel the game was meant for grass. Plans unveiled a few months ago for an indoor facility that will accommodate football, as well as other sports, to be erected southeast of the current Cundey Fieldhouse. Hopefully, groundbreaking in 1-2 years..

I miss the grass at Colgate.

[SDFS]

impressive on 3 practice field options. We put our bubble on our grass practice field .. so we have Hanckock turf and bubble turf, no more grass .. unless they have something else in mind. But were thrilled to finally get the IPF. It was supposed to be brick and mortar, but some donor got in trouble and that funding fell thru (3m).

Lot of nice stuff you guys are doing .. so whats the overall budget ?

Does not have an overall budget, simply a number of small projects that start once funding is acquired.

Here are a couple of articles describing most of the changes. Most of the projects are public/private. So, there are shared costs involved, which in general I think is good for a community of Grand Forks size with a school the size of UND.

Memorial Village (Hyslop) - $40 Million - Hyslop at Memorial Village is 196,159 square feet five story building will sit on the site of the former Memorial Stadium. The first floor will consist of UND athletic offices. The upper four stories feature 99 residential units with underground parking.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/business/memorial-village-project-churns-ahead-first-tenants-moved-in-may-1

Memorial Village (Fieldhouse) - The develop cost is estimated at $44 million dollars - five-story mixed-use building near University Avenue and Columbia Road, plus an NCAA softball complex. Fieldhouse at Memorial Village will come in at about 257,000 square feet. There will be 192 apartment units.

https://memorial-village.com/fieldhouse-at-memorial-village/
https://knoxradio.com/2023/07/06/gf-council-oks-tax-exemptions-for-memorial-village-ii-epitome-energy/

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/college/und-set-to-build-on-campus-softball-stadium
https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/und-breaks-ground-on-new-softball-facility-multiuse-apartments

This is a quick story about the family which provided the lead gift for the softball facility.
https://undalumni.org/news-stories/impact/alexa-dave-albrecht.html

Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center is a $20 million upgrade to Fritz Pollard Performance Center. This project is listed as part of the schools capital projects. The Fritz Pollard Center was between $20 million to $30 million.

Current Capital Projects.
https://undalumni.org/giving-impact/capital-projects.html

[Redbird 4th & short]

​
Does have an overall budget, simply a number of small projects that start once funding is aquired.

Here is couple of articles describing most of the changes. Most of the projects are public/private. So, there are shared costs involved, which in general I think is good for a community of Grand Forks size with a school the size of UND.

Memorial Village (Hyslop) - $40 Million - Hyslop at Memorial Village is 196,159 square feet five story building will sit on the site of the former Memorial Stadium. The first floor will consist of UND athletic offices. The upper four stories feature 99 residential units with underground parking.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/business/memorial-village-project-churns-ahead-first-tenants-moved-in-may-1

Memorial Village (Fieldhouse) - The develop cost is estimated at $44 million dollars - five-story mixed-use building near University Avenue and Columbia Road, plus an NCAA softball complex. Fieldhouse at Memorial Village will come in at about 257,000 square feet. There will be 192 apartment units.

https://memorial-village.com/fieldhouse-at-memorial-village/
https://knoxradio.com/2023/07/06/gf-council-oks-tax-exemptions-for-memorial-village-ii-epitome-energy/

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/college/und-set-to-build-on-campus-softball-stadium
https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/und-breaks-ground-on-new-softball-facility-multiuse-apartments

This is a quick story about the family which provided the lead gift for the softball facility.
https://undalumni.org/news-stories/impact/alexa-dave-albrecht.html

Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center is a $20 million upgrade to Fritz Pollard Performance Center. This project is listed as part of the schools capital projects. The Fritz Pollard Center was between $20 million to $30 million.

Current Capital Projects.
https://undalumni.org/giving-impact/capital-projects.html

I realize this isn't all sports funding projects, but wow ... we just don't spend that kind of money. And I know your hockey budget is off the charts.

[SDFS]

​

I realize this isn't all sports funding projects, but wow ... we just don't spend that kind of money. And I know your hockey budget is off the charts.

I want to be very clear that the funding for those projects is a Public (City of Grand Fork / UND Alumni Organization) / Private model. The City of Grand Forks and UND have a history of working very well together. Hence, UND playing football at the Alerus Center. As far as hockey goes, hockey is a net positive for the athletic department. They are working on the football program. Note, I think the budgets for hockey and football are approximately the same right around $5 million. Once these project are done next year it should get UND close to other peer schools. The next group of projects for athletics is a "Top Golf" type of facility at the university golf course and improvements for basketball a new practice facility and improvements to the Betty.

[Redbird 4th & short]

I want to be very clear that the funding for those projects is a Public (City of Grand Fork / UND Alumni Organization) / Private model. The City of Grand Forks and UND have a history of working very well together. Hence, UND playing football at the Alerus Center. As far as hockey goes, hockey is a net positive for the athletic department. They are working on the football program. Note, I think the budgets for hockey and football are approximately the same right around $5 million. Once these project are done next year it should get UND close to other peer schools. The next group of projects for athletics is a "Top Golf" type of facility at the university golf course and improvements for basketball a new practice facility and improvements to the Betty.

Similar to NDSU .. at least with Fargodome ?

[BucBisonAtLarge]

Bucknell has completed a multiyear project to transform the facilities available to the their football program. Through the leadership gift of the Pascucci family Bucknell has added a turf practice field (2022) and a 25'x50' HD screen for gameday highlights(2021). The project is finishing this month with the opening of the football locker room at the new Pascucci Team Center, a 16,000 square foot training and team facility adjoining the stadium.

2024 marks 100 years of the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The final piece of this huge lift to the facilities was the installation of a new Field Turf surface at the stadium this summer.

Early commitmments to the program have been promising so far this year. Here's to having a program that matches the rising tide in the PL.

Here's a look at those facilities.

https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/yZSnFaUx63rOP

Here at look at 100 years at the CMMS.

https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/qKZkImQ6GzaO4

[SDFS]

Similar to NDSU .. at least with Fargodome ?

This is a bit in the weeds, the similarities are shared support across multiple levels of government. Again, I think that is the way to go for communities of this size with large State schools. Shared use and costs:

Fargo Dome - City owned and maintained, Land leased by NDSU to the City.
Newman Field (baseball) - City owned and maintained, Land leased by NDSU to the City.
Alerus Center - City owned and maintained.
Two new 5 story complexes - Privately owned, On UND campus, UND Alumni support and the City of Grand Forks assisted with a funding mechanism - not sure if that was for infrastructure updates similar to TIF. It was noted as a pilot financial program by the City.

[ngineer]

Bucknell has completed a multiyear project to transform the facilities available to the their football program. Through the leadership gift of the Pascucci family Bucknell has added a turf practice field (2022) and a 25'x50' HD screen for gameday highlights(2021). The project is finishing this month with the opening of the football locker room at the new Pascucci Team Center, a 16,000 square foot training and team facility adjoining the stadium.

2024 marks 100 years of the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The final piece of this huge lift to the facilities was the installation of a new Field Turf surface at the stadium this summer.

Early commitmments to the program have been promising so far this year. Here's to having a program that matches the rising tide in the PL.

Here's a look at those facilities.

https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/yZSnFaUx63rOP

Here at look at 100 years at the CMMS.

https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/qKZkImQ6GzaO4

Great compilation of photos of the history and improvements. It's about time! And, glad to see the Bison upgrading. My daughter graduated from Bucknell, Class of '02, and told me of her many laps and step running as a member of the Women's Crew her freshman year. Always liked CM Memorial, but hated having to look into the sun as a visitor...until recently, they switched sides. Now the visitors sit in the west stands! Thanks! Not sure why the change, but I sure like the view better.xsmiley_wix

[Redbird 4th & short]

This is a bit in the weeds, the similarities are shared support across multiple levels of government. Again, I think that is the way to go for communities of this size with large State schools. Shared use and costs:

Fargo Dome - City owned and maintained, Land leased by NDSU to the City.
Newman Field (baseball) - City owned and maintained, Land leased by NDSU to the City.
Alerus Center - City owned and maintained.
Two new 5 story complexes - Privately owned, On UND campus, UND Alumni support and the City of Grand Forks assisted with a funding mechanism - not sure if that was for infrastructure updates similar to TIF. It was noted as a pilot financial program by the City.

thanks for info

[UNHWildcat18]

Some renderings of the current construction going on at Bryant

https://www.gilbaneco.com/projects/bryant-university-new-field-house/

[BucBisonAtLarge]

Great compilation of photos of the history and improvements. It's about time! And, glad to see the Bison upgrading. My daughter graduated from Bucknell, Class of '02, and told me of her many laps and step running as a member of the Women's Crew her freshman year. Always liked CM Memorial, but hated having to look into the sun as a visitor...until recently, they switched sides. Now the visitors sit in the west stands! Thanks! Not sure why the change, but I sure like the view better.xsmiley_wix

I'm sure it is for television, but the sunny side on a cold day counts for something.

[Go Green]

Has there been any discussion about a replacement for Stabler Arena?

Leede Arena at Dartmouth getting upgrades--reportedly so we won't look as high-schoolish when we host the Ivy League Basketball tournament in two years.

[Redbird 4th & short]

I'm sure it is for television, but the sunny side on a cold day counts for something.
but offset by the 98 degree days with 110 real feel ?

we did same at ISUr Hancock Stadium .. did a very nice complete ground-up overhaul of our shameful old East/Away Side in 2013, which was/is the face of our campus on Main St downtown. So we only did that half (25m) and made the East side our Home side.

xdrunkyx

[JacksFan40]

Not an upgrade but here’s the original rendering for DJD back in 2014.

https://cdn.forumcomm.com/dims4/default/0e38bb0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x704+0+0/resize/1551x1066!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffcc-cue-exports-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fmitchellrepublic%2Fbinary%2Fcopy %2Fb5%2Fa8%2Fc73d8f619a5f248e5358ffbc1dcc%2F651467-0b959gsc0l9kmszfvq2pqquznz3c-binary-2628397.jpg

I do wish they’d of stuck with this concept, the brick on the exterior looked really nice. Though the scoreboard is noticeably smaller in this so I’m glad that got changed. Still love DJD, it’s a big upgrade from Coughlin-Alumni as much as I do miss that place.

[nodak651]

Not an upgrade but here’s the original rendering for DJD back in 2014.

https://cdn.forumcomm.com/dims4/default/0e38bb0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x704+0+0/resize/1551x1066!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffcc-cue-exports-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fmitchellrepublic%2Fbinary%2Fcopy %2Fb5%2Fa8%2Fc73d8f619a5f248e5358ffbc1dcc%2F651467-0b959gsc0l9kmszfvq2pqquznz3c-binary-2628397.jpg

I do wish they’d of stuck with this concept, the brick on the exterior looked really nice. Though the scoreboard is noticeably smaller in this so I’m glad that got changed. Still love DJD, it’s a big upgrade from Coughlin-Alumni as much as I do miss that place.
Speaking of old renderings.. https://grandforkslife.blogspot.com/2007/12/und-is-planning-for-future.html

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdTMaGHcwNAOMw9GkOfFxPCP4HXX0hFL-Nem9syKliqvz66ultT1bN084dL9JPKfeGhjyLp8dYcOubhIPSi lB8pV0c_MZlym-z3EDb5_eIa1soQcBwcz-E0LTnAoX6bSNdgyd/s400/08.jpghttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVV5GYvAnL0fWyGdkow40FSOptK7mhJF9tycoKGw_Prh swBjmTEkfNhDQI3jHDBMefcyRUNNCldYxaoMntDLy9WFS5wId7 mQR9IaGxuQkyrVKy_ls-UVeU6lwWoq37CvEr_j-y/s400/07.jpghttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNdwOe_FnaFlsPAAzC1l3N9709G9vT4coI37u0ULGs3 1kkf91nOx5r6xuLcwH3cPQKdaebp5lF79BFr9etbzys9d1tV0N zED6VTT-xxazv8nyjbNk_C9Dsl3HuaxGz3CRdqpc/s400/siteplan.JPGhttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1G8KdFFAodnkloJgUcu56blF4GubKNbmcHsCCgPGFW4 8RvQbNI8V4Yt400QfoJjZxiXbiTx3qgzGBD-fQKa65tJelKrqQwafySBxPBdHsdVfK7jXW8ReBwAObtehEssu2 yf-6/s400/01.jpghttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvO-JtAh58C3G34SZ62st7OUMzA21d3ANPRVr3FnuFK40wxbNd-USbWcEluGrsfJd8B8osyGduybzkaNb63EGqq3G2kJvyrn0yxie 8khM9OuhRYwOImOB0T4tgfx514e8jjy6/s400/04.jpg

[MSUBobcat]

I haven't been able to find any good pics but MSU upgraded the A/V system, which includes the largest scoreboard in the Big Sky Conference. It also includes upgrades to the parking lots/tailgating areas. This link (https://www.swxlocalsports.com/montana/montana-state/montana-state-hopes-to-improve-the-fan-experience-with-facility-upgrades/article_6013ad82-3969-11ef-b0e5-2fa8b6b1d15f.html) has a video of the progress being made which has a little view of the scoreboard.

There was recently a groundbreaking ceremony for the IPF, also. (https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/sports/bobcats/football/montana-state-hosts-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-indoor-practice-facility/article_ef0d1262-43dc-11ef-91f3-c78abff336b7.html)

Much of the improvements at MSU, athletically but also academically, occurred under the administration of President Waded Cruzado, who announced that she is retiring after this academic year. As one of, if not THE, best university presidents in MSU history, she leaves big shoes to fill. Her accomplishments, which are vast, are detailed in this article. (https://www.montana.edu/news/23909/montana-state-university-president-waded-cruzado-announces-retirement)

[MSUBobcat]

While not "Stadium Upgrades" per se, there were a bunch of pics (38) of the new fitness/wellness center at Montana State (https://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=50871&start=1080)posted to the Bobcats' forum.

They are also making quick progress on the IPF.

https://i.postimg.cc/9fTbH7kX/MSU-IPF.jpg

[crusader11]

Has there been any discussion about a replacement for Stabler Arena?

You mean the airport hangar?

[crusader11]

Lehigh did a redo of their practice fields over the past two years with construction of a new turf practice field as well as reconstruction of one of the sod fields to exactly mirror the surface of Goodman Stadium, i.e. crown slope and type of grass. Previously, they'd use the lacrosse stadium to get the feel of artificial turf when prepping for an away game. I believe we are the only PL school to have a sod grass stadium, and which I am glad we rebuilt after that horrible monsoon game with Holy Cross back around 2005. I understand that some schools are limited in acreage available to have a grass stadium since fields are needed for other sports (lacrosse, soccer, field hockey), so being able to have all teams use the field is necessary; but, I just feel the game was meant for grass. Plans unveiled a few months ago for an indoor facility that will accommodate football, as well as other sports, to be erected southeast of the current Cundey Fieldhouse. Hopefully, groundbreaking in 1-2 years.

Fitton is grass.

Not many stadiums out there that have a natural playing surface. I’d venture to guess there aren’t more than 15 stadiums with a grass surface.