Lamar University - Cardinal Stadium Upgrades

[houtexan]

Thursday, July 31, 2008 - 10:20 AM CDT

Houston group to design Lamar stadium upgrade

Houston Business Journal

The Houston office of architectural firm Leo A. Daly Co. has been selected to upgrade Cardinal Stadium at Lamar University in Beaumont.

The design work includes general improvements to the 17,000-seat stadium, including the installation of premium suites and new concession areas, as well as a separate athletic field house with locker room facilities.

The selection process for the project’s construction management firm is under way. Work is expected to begin later this year and be finished in time for the university’s return to college football in 2010.

Lamar University discontinued its football program in 1989. The existing stadium had been used for the university’s soccer teams as well as local high school football games.

“Reviving the football program has long been a dream of this university,” said Jimmy Simmons, Lamar University president. “The planned upgrades will bring us one step closer toward realizing that dream.”

Leo A. Daly, based in Omaha, Neb., has 24 offices worldwide.

[TexasTerror]

Can't wait to see the boring schedule lined up for 2010 at Cardinal Stadium...

Hope you Lamar fans are educating yourselves about FCS football and the start-up process over these next few years...as even some of your more respectful and knowledgeable posters really need some brushing up... :)

[houtexan]

Luckily we have you constantly keeping them in-line. It's always good to dream but a dose of reality never hurts either. :)

[TexasTerror]

Luckily we have you constantly keeping them in-line. It's always good to dream but a dose of reality never hurts either. :)

I really am curious to what the reaction from LU faithful will be when the schedule is not what you guys are expecting. When the schedule is more in line with up-start programs from ODU, SLU and USA.

Lamar does tend to surprise...there are probably some folks that may let a few things get to their head and you may have 11 Division I games that opening season.

ODU went and talked to the folks (FAU, Coastal Carolina, etc) that had just begun football and were able to turn their programs into winners quickly. Wonder who Lamar and Woodard are talking to regarding scheduling and other things that first-year programs have unique...

[houtexan]

I really am curious to what the reaction from LU faithful will be when the schedule is not what you guys are expecting. When the schedule is more in line with up-start programs from ODU, SLU and USA.

Lamar does tend to surprise...there are probably some folks that may let a few things get to their head and you may have 11 Division I games that opening season.

ODU went and talked to the folks (FAU, Coastal Carolina, etc) that had just begun football and were able to turn their programs into winners quickly. Wonder who Lamar and Woodard are talking to regarding scheduling and other things that first-year programs have unique...

You're likely to see the same folks with grandiose visions disappointed that we're not scheduling The Univ of Texas, Texas A&M, and the rest of the Big 12. But the majority (usually the silent majority) expect to see a 2010 schedule with a bulk of SLC, SWAC, and Division II schools. The true fans are not going to be disappointed. We're glad football is coming back. xthumbsupx

[bkrownd]

What schools did Lamar consider "rival" quality way-back-when?

[TexasTerror]

What schools did Lamar consider "rival" quality way-back-when?

Lamar was partial to McNeese, La Tech and ULL.

McNeese was 9-2-1 down the stretch against Lamar, showing that they had a bit of dominance in the rivalry even before they really took off...

[houtexan]

McNeese and La Tech were the big rivals in the 80's. Of course the Southland was a much different landscape back then with ULL, LaTech, UTA, La-Monroe, etc. McNeese continues to be the key rival today in most sports for Lamar primarily due to the close proximity of the two schools.

[TexasTerror]

McNeese and La Tech were the big rivals in the 80's. Of course the Southland was a much different landscape back then with ULL, LaTech, UTA, La-Monroe, etc. McNeese continues to be the key rival today in most sports for Lamar primarily due to the close proximity of the two schools.

Poor La Tech. They really have no rivalries now that they are in the WAC and they got an AD who has ticked off the Sun Belt (when they jet the conference) and nearby ULM...a shame for them. And look, their women's BKB program has gone down south...

They should have never left the SLC. SLC women's hoops would have been grand still to this day with strong SFA and La Tech programs... xnodx

[furman94]

I think La Tech should come back down. They were good for 1-AA!

[TexasTerror]

An anonymous donor and their major gift led to the name of Lamar's field...

Thanks to a major gift from an anonymous donor, the field that will once again see NCAA football action at Lamar University will bear the name of former player and longtime Lamar advocate W.S. "Bud" Leonard, officials announced today.

Celebrated as a leader on and off the field, Leonard was honored by community, friends, students and staff of the university in the Cardinal Hall of Honor, Monday, Aug. 25 in a news conference where the naming was announced.

"In appreciation of this most generous gift to the university and the Lamar football program, its students, and the people of Texas, particularly Southeast Texas, the stadium playing field will be named the W.S. "Bud" Leonard Field," said James Simmons, president of the university.

http://lamarcardinals.cstv.com/genrel/082508aab.html

[TexasTerror]

An anonymous donor and their major gift led to the name of Lamar's field...

Thanks to a major gift from an anonymous donor, the field that will once again see NCAA football action at Lamar University will bear the name of former player and longtime Lamar advocate W.S. "Bud" Leonard, officials announced today.

Celebrated as a leader on and off the field, Leonard was honored by community, friends, students and staff of the university in the Cardinal Hall of Honor, Monday, Aug. 25 in a news conference where the naming was announced.

"In appreciation of this most generous gift to the university and the Lamar football program, its students, and the people of Texas, particularly Southeast Texas, the stadium playing field will be named the W.S. "Bud" Leonard Field," said James Simmons, president of the university.

http://lamarcardinals.cstv.com/genrel/082508aab.html

[houtexan]

And they keep teasing with these damn photos of the stadium upgrades here and there... http://lamarcardinals.cstv.com/view.gal?id=32918

[centexguy]

And they keep teasing with these damn photos of the stadium upgrades here and there... http://lamarcardinals.cstv.com/view.gal?id=32918

They are suppose to start tearing down the old field house in September. I'm assuming they'll unveil the drawings for the new athletic complex and stadium renovations soon. Hopefully they'll get more donations so they can name the stadium and the athletic complex too.

[Bear Fan 101]

too bad Lamar has McNeese already bulit in as their 'rival'

With UCA being new to the conference, and LU bringing bacl football, that could've been fun to develop a nice rivalry besides just conference type rivalry...

It's going to take us a while to get a true blue (or red, or orange or purple) heated rival I feel. But with the knockout dragouts with Nicholls (and our coach's affiliation), and SELA last season, who knows.