Update on JMU's Bridgeforth Expansion..

[Waco Kid]

We are debating that over on the JMU boards on the Zone ... but we think once the rubber pellets are put down and the part that has been covered is power washed they should be close to the same color. Apparently the company who makes the turf says on their website that the turf doesn't fade ... so I'd guess that it may just be dusty ... or the bright fresh green look of the new turf will fade back a bit when it is fully installed (rubber pellets are somehow linked to fading it, don't ask me why haha)

I hope so, but I'm thinking its not fading as much as just a different color. Hopefully it will work out.

[JmuSkinsfan]

Sorry, I cannot let this thread fall off the first page, especially when the top thread for days has been about ASU's new turf design. Sheesh xsmhx

[Mountaineer]

Yeah well, it's not like you guys are using ten different shades of purple and gold. :p Cuts down on the argument angle. xslapfightx

[th0m]

Awesome aerials from GM1998 over on CAAZone.com:

http://i51.tinypic.com/2dkzcly.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/2h2pmol.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/t87oy1.jpg

[aust42]

So I haven't heard any official reports of JMU moving to 1A. Obviously with this stadium expansion, that seems to be the plan. Have I missed something about JMU's future plans?

[whitey]

We outgrew the old stadium. This one is much bigger than we'll need the next few years. We'll probably only have one or two sellouts a year for the next few seasons (homecoming and family weekend). Right now the plan is to grow into this new stadium. There are no formal plans to move to a IA conference. Obviously this stadium is one step of many already done (or in the works) to make the school more attractive to a IA conference. It'll be interesting to see what happens but the timeline is likely more along the lines of a decade, rather than short term.

[JmuSkinsfan]

Beautiful! I had been waiting for aerial shots to come out to really show the size of this beast. I'm glad whoever did this waited for the thing to be done (more or less) ... but I hope someone goes up again when the endzone is done. For those curious, the structure in the endzone is half done. It will reach the and connect to the lower bowl of the new side.

[aust42]

We outgrew the old stadium. This one is much bigger than we'll need the next few years. We'll probably only have one or two sellouts a year for the next few seasons (homecoming and family weekend). Right now the plan is to grow into this new stadium. There are no formal plans to move to a IA conference. Obviously this stadium is one step of many already done (or in the works) to make the school more attractive to a IA conference. It'll be interesting to see what happens but the timeline is likely more along the lines of a decade, rather than short term.

Well I don't want to lose JMU as a conference brother so I'm glad to hear that. I didn't think you guys had a problem with not having enough seats due to sell outs? The stadium is beautiful. Looking forward to a road trip when you play my Bluehens.

[JMU2004]

Sellouts have been a regular since about 2005. I don't know if 27,000 seats were necessary, but you build for the future, not the now.

[th0m]

By the way, for some reason those images were downsized, to check out the original (larger) sized images, go to the JMU boards:

http://boards.caazone.com/showthread.php?p=1538340#post1538340

[bojeta]

Very nice stadium, but I'm betting there are some line of sight issues for those seats by the luxury boxes.

[JMad03]

Very nice stadium, but I'm betting there are some line of sight issues for those seats by the luxury boxes.

Quick correction- I think you're referring to the pressbox, not luxury boxes. The boxes are located underneath the upper deck. The pressbox is quite large and has been built to accomodate if we were to make the move to FBS. Aside from that, we've been told there will be no sight line issues due to the angles on the pressbox. Another thing that can look a bit misleading is that there is a separation between seats and pressbox. For instance there is a wall underneath the pressbox for those seats directly in front. Also keep in mind they are much farther away from the field.
Last week being up at JMU I remember taking a look from inside the performance center on the endzone and I remember being able to see the seats on the other side of the pressbox.

[bojeta]

Quick correction- I think you're referring to the pressbox, not luxury boxes. The boxes are located underneath the upper deck. The pressbox is quite large and has been built to accomodate if we were to make the move to FBS. Aside from that, we've been told there will be no sight line issues due to the angles on the pressbox. Another thing that can look a bit misleading is that there is a separation between seats and pressbox. For instance there is a wall underneath the pressbox for those seats directly in front. Also keep in mind they are much farther away from the field.
Last week being up at JMU I remember taking a look from inside the performance center on the endzone and I remember being able to see the seats on the other side of the pressbox.

Thanks for the correction and I'm glad to hear the lines will work out. Wish Cal Poly could continue with their expansion. It was originally set to be completed in late 2008, but the economic downturn has them talking about scaled down versions and whether the basketball gym renovation should be moved ahead of the football stadium. Latest from the new AD is that the football stadium expansion is priority #1. So... there's hope!

[jmufan999]

I didn't think you guys had a problem with not having enough seats due to sell outs?

we were at 105.76% of total capacity last year, good for 8th in the country. don't know what it's been in previous years but seems like we're always over 100%. expansion was definitely necessary. lots of students get turned away which is a shame in my opinion.

[JMUNJ08]

we were at 105.76% of total capacity last year, good for 8th in the country. don't know what it's been in previous years but seems like we're always over 100%. expansion was definitely necessary. lots of students get turned away which is a shame in my opinion.

^This...I think we have been over capacity for awhile now. With JMU expanding its undergrad population from around 16K around 2004 to 20K or so now or the next few years, we are creating a larger alumni pool and current student pop as well. With this and the more recent success than continued mediocrity (sans last 2 years) we have drawn a lot more interest than when I first enrolled. Therefore, the standing room only crowd has grown and definitely kept some people out of games, especially family weekend and homecoming.

The extra seats will help and should sell out or be awfully close for the 3 games this year: Opening night, Family Weekend and Homecoming. The rest depend on how the team is playing but my guess is should be more than the crowds we have had in past years due to capacity limitation (Prob 17-20K).

jmufan999: was that 8th overall based on butts in the seats or capacity %? My thought was butts in seats so we could continue to climb this year!

[rufus]

Newest pictures....

https://picasaweb.google.com/hittiezm/BridgeforthStadiumPhase2Album2#5622871003180419794

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k3LmrmAuDrY/TghzcMKhOUI/AAAAAAAAHbM/ddrffBg2BxA/s912/IMG_4890.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XLrUQbEkG5Q/Tghzc4eLh7I/AAAAAAAAHbQ/KY-u7GLnKhE/s800/IMG_4891.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tyEsi1WLEOY/TghzvvEOd2I/AAAAAAAAHdM/u08yIHovBAI/s800/IMG_4921.JPG

[jmufan999]

jmufan999: was that 8th overall based on butts in the seats or capacity %? My thought was butts in seats so we could continue to climb this year!

8th in % of total capacity

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2010/Internet/attendance/FCS_CAPACITY.pdf

10th in total attendance (6 home games)

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2010/Internet/attendance/FCS_ATTENDANCE.pdf

on a side note, how does ODU have the exact same attendance (19,782) for all of their home games? no chance that that actually happened.

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2010/Internet/single%20game/FCS_teamattend.html

[jmufan999]

in case anyone is curious, ODU's capacity is listed at 19,782. that's amazing they're able to hit it right on the number every game. i'm sure there is some sort of phone tree they have.... if one person is sick and can't make the game, they're required to find a replacement that would not have been there otherwise.

[SoCon48]

in case anyone is curious, ODU's capacity is listed at 19,782. that's amazing they're able to hit it right on the number every game. i'm sure there is some sort of phone tree they have.... if one person is sick and can't make the game, they're required to find a replacement that would not have been there otherwise.

Evidently they use the capacity as their attendance, which is reasonable. If a game has more than capacity, then evidently that is the actual capacity.

[jmufan999]

Evidently they use the capacity as their attendance, which is reasonable. If a game has more than capacity, then evidently that is the actual capacity.

i'm not arguing that the capacity is incorrect, but obviously the attendance figures are. i just don't see why it would be so difficult to be accurate with the number of tickets sold. JMU does it, App State does it, Montana does it, etc...

[TheBisonator]

i'm not arguing that the capacity is incorrect, but obviously the attendance figures are. i just don't see why it would be so difficult to be accurate with the number of tickets sold. JMU does it, App State does it, Montana does it, etc...

I think every school should be forced to use turnstile count as the measure of game attendance. I have no doubt that ODU is very close to capacity (give or take) every game. NDSU does turnstile count for its attendance numbers. For example, when we get a game where the attendance is in the high-18,000's, there are usually a few scattered dots of empty seats in the crowd, usually totalling up to the capacity of 19,287. Also, considering some weeks in the past where in days before the game, it was announced as "sold out", but some people didn't show up and attendance was actually listed in the 17,000 range on game day.

I just think turnstile count is more honest.

[bojeta]

I think every school should be forced to use turnstile count as the measure of game attendance. I have no doubt that ODU is very close to capacity (give or take) every game. NDSU does turnstile count for its attendance numbers. For example, when we get a game where the attendance is in the high-18,000's, there are usually a few scattered dots of empty seats in the crowd, usually totalling up to the capacity of 19,287. Also, considering some weeks in the past where in days before the game, it was announced as "sold out", but some people didn't show up and attendance was actually listed in the 17,000 range on game day.

I just think turnstile count is more honest.

It would be nice to know the REAL number that attend, but I see a problem. Students get in with their ASB card and I don't believe they need a ticket. They can enter and leave by showing the card. With thousands of students this can be really hard to keep track of. I think a better system would be what we use at the high school I teach at. Tickets and ASB cards can be scanned on entry. Any student leaving and returning would not be recounted as the scanner software has already registered them as attending.

[Longhorn]

It would be nice to know the REAL number that attend, but I see a problem. Students get in with their ASB card and I don't believe they need a ticket. They can enter and leave by showing the card. With thousands of students this can be really hard to keep track of. I think a better system would be what we use at the high school I teach at. Tickets and ASB cards can be scanned on entry. Any student leaving and returning would not be recounted as the scanner software has already registered them as attending.

I don't know what other FCS programs do, but JMU scans each ticket upon entry, and that includes students. In addition, you are not permitted to leave and reenter Bridgeforth.

[jmufan]

That's not entirely correct, you can reenter the stadium if you get your hand stamped. Otherwise you are out of luck.

[bojeta]

That's not entirely correct, you can reenter the stadium if you get your hand stamped. Otherwise you are out of luck.

Still, this is the system I'm talking about and it works because you're not double counted.

[Twentysix]

I don't know what other FCS programs do, but JMU scans each ticket upon entry, and that includes students. In addition, you are not permitted to leave and reenter Bridgeforth.

same

The only way you can leave is into a fenced in smoking area.

[mad_dog97]

That's not entirely correct, you can reenter the stadium if you get your hand stamped. Otherwise you are out of luck.

That's been true in the past, but I've heard that it's changing this year. We always popped out at halftime for a few more tailgate brews, but I guess we'll have to come up with an alternative this year.

[JMUDuke2002]

Endzone work coming along nicely.

http://134.126.89.164/jpeg.cgi?0

[UNHFan]

Endzone work coming along nicely.

http://134.126.89.164/jpeg.cgi?0

Thats stunning!

[mad_dog97]

Testing out the new HD video board
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/267690_10150240515330768_23502910767_7144493_24302 50_n.jpg

[Longhorn]

That's not entirely correct, you can reenter the stadium if you get your hand stamped. Otherwise you are out of luck.

Thanks for the correction!

[Longhorn]

Testing out the new HD video board
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/267690_10150240515330768_23502910767_7144493_24302 50_n.jpg

Saw this image on the board today, and the clarity and size is spectacular. I think I'm going to call it "Baby Godzillatron" because it reminds me of the Texas HD video board, only smaller.

[mad_dog97]

Saw this image on the board today, and the clarity and size is spectacular. I think I'm going to call it "Baby Godzillatron" because it reminds me of the Texas HD video board, only smaller.

I like the sense of perspective that the two guys on the lift give. Shows how massive it is.

[JMUDuke2002]

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics32/640/YC/YCJNWOXCAXMTKXA.20110706210749.jpg

Endzone work ongoing

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics32/640/EP/EPZBVBJHGWNIMHM.20110706210826.jpg

Club interior work

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/640/DJ/DJBWZEPLDWOVQZK.20110706213420.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/640/MW/MWCHXXNVTSQTMRV.20110706212656.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/640/DZ/DZVCVZIGFZCNYZN.20110706212957.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/640/XY/XYKXHKQQTXJVEKP.20110706214542.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/640/RB/RBFGVABSCFZVRKF.20110706214659.jpg

Upper concourse

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/640/BC/BCJOCFIWQYAOBXX.20110706214924.jpg

[jmufan999]

I was talking with another alum at a recent JMU event, and we were discussing how this stadium will be unique while it's lopsided.

In a large stadium, when you're up very high, you don't have much a view because you're staring straight across at the other upper deck.

Here, those of us in the upper deck will have a stunning view with the sun at our backs. Very much looking forward to that.

[th0m]

An update, pics from CAAZone.com poster Deez Nuts:

https://picasaweb.google.com/hittiezm/BridgeforthStadiumPhase2Album3#5630917067191306562

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r9pc6E7roGU/TiUJdbfnT0I/AAAAAAAAH58/V8d1nYUZUFI/s912/IMG_5137.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-055idqWHrBc/TiUJi57hsoI/AAAAAAAAH6k/QA--K9jfE7E/s912/IMG_5146.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OGqOK50NrvE/TiUJypfredI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/Nj7ntUJWSTI/s912/IMG_5172.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GrrDmkNc2mk/TiUJ7N9yjiI/AAAAAAAAH9E/aV7J1rOR250/s912/IMG_5184.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Vce2h-VcR60/TiUKE6EfW0I/AAAAAAAAH-E/mMhXrVdlMm8/s912/IMG_5199.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-991NgycAI-Y/TiUKJtBUoiI/AAAAAAAAH-c/UNCLm3XCmkg/s912/IMG_5204.JPG

[danefan]

Really unbelievable for an FCS stadium.

Was all the talk of our Alumni outing this weekend as we fight for a measly 6,000 seats.

[th0m]

danefan, with the size of your undergrads, I'm sure that as your on the field product increases and fan-enthusiasm likewise increases, those additions from your 6k-seater will happen sooner rather than later. Especially if you allign yourself with a larger conference (say the CAA) once the dust settles on a lot of conference shifts.

[th0m]

Here are two more aerials from poster GM1998 over on CAAZone.com that made me go wow:

http://i52.tinypic.com/2q1w712.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/6sh0zm.jpg

Check here for larger size: http://boards.caazone.com/showpost.php?p=1547090&postcount=5689

[TheBisonator]

OK, I'm calling it. It's 11:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time on July 19, 2011, and I'm calling it. JMU has the best stadium in the FCS. App, Montana, you've got awesome places. But JMU tops them all.

[StorminASU]

OK, I'm calling it. It's 11:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time on July 19, 2011, and I'm calling it. JMU has the best stadium in the FCS. App, Montana, you've got awesome places. But JMU tops them all.

I think this may be a bit premature until we see a crowd file in. If this place is half full come midway through the season, I'm thinking you called it a little too early.

[th0m]

Does that detract anything from the structure?

[Longhorn]

I think this may be a bit premature until we see a crowd file in. If this place is half full come midway through the season, I'm thinking you called it a little too early.


You gotta quit eating those sour grapes.

[jmufan999]

I think this may be a bit premature until we see a crowd file in. If this place is half full come midway through the season, I'm thinking you called it a little too early.

Why are people so concerned about our attendance all of a sudden? We built this stadium because of demand. We didn't just flip a coin and decide to expand. We can all travel by land and walk hand in hand.

Couldn't resist.

[Dignan]

Why are people so concerned about our attendance all of a sudden? We built this stadium because of demand. We didn't just flip a coin and decide to expand. We can all travel by land and walk hand in hand.

Couldn't resist.

And everyone come see our band!

[jmufan999]

And everyone come see our band!

Nice!

[StorminASU]

Does that detract anything from the structure?

I had posted a response to this earlier but my computer messed up so here goes again:
It definitely doesn't detract anything from the structure. The stadium looks great. I was just saying if it does happen to not fill up (which I don't think will happen so it's not sour grapes) the new addition looks a little weird.


Why are people so concerned about our attendance all of a sudden? We built this stadium because of demand. We didn't just flip a coin and decide to expand. We can all travel by land and walk hand in hand.

Couldn't resist.

This is def. not meant to be a knock against JMU, I wish App would have emulated some of what you guys did, I was merely saying it's a little too early to "call it" yet...if you think attendance factors in to the awesomeness of a stadium that is.

[GaSouthern]

Can they expand the stadium on the "other side"? or is that building in the way?

[th0m]

Lower deck definitely, as the current "old" side is built quite a bit away from the field to make room for the track which has now been removed. Upper deck, I don't think so.

[JmuSkinsfan]

Can they expand the stadium on the "other side"? or is that building in the way?

As I said in the Rankings thread...

"That question was raised when the sketches were released 4 years ago, and initially rumors were that Godwin would be demolished, maybe even before Phase II took form. But either way, you'll notice that the new stands are literally on top of the field compared to where the old stands sit (and sat on that side) ... so there are about 30-40 feet of room to move new stands up and then you have another 40-50 feet behind the stands to expand as well. They can def. fit it without any demolitions.

Also, the upper deck seats on the new side are very steep. There really isn't much more additional space needed for the upper deck beyond what the lower deck needs. "

[th0m]

Yeah that's definitely true. Now that I think about it, both the concourse and the upperdeck have quite an overhang, so the space needed behind the lower deck for an upperdeck is less. I don't think they would need another pressbox so it can be all stands.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qp3i2E_8y2w/TiUJpSLDxsI/AAAAAAAAH7U/nstiOP9A0V4/s640/IMG_5157.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qxTGwX2qHr8/TiUJqpx42_I/AAAAAAAAH7c/azLpYe-PPLE/s640/IMG_5159.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V8z3MCrF1VA/TiUJtdfmzmI/AAAAAAAAH7w/9I9vIykwIIY/s912/IMG_5164.JPG

photos by Deez Nuts.

[Longhorn]

Lower deck definitely, as the current "old" side is built quite a bit away from the field to make room for the track which has now been removed. Upper deck, I don't think so.

Sorry thOm, but a duplicate of the newer stadium seating, both lower AND upper deck, will fit quite nicely on the existing footprint without disturbing Godwin.

[th0m]

Yeah I was a bit quick on the trigger there. Regardless of whether it fits though, it will probably be quite some time before it will be an issue. Of course it is nice to speculate about it, as is the design of the other deck. If there is no pressbox the increase in seating can be quite considerable.

[JMU1992]

Latest aerial views of stadium

[danefan]

The stadium is ridiculous. As of now one of the gems of FCS ball for sure.

Those aerials do highlight the disparity between the new side and endzone and the old side. Makes it look "unfinished", but when you think about it, I guess it is.

[appfan2008]

Latest aerial views of stadium

That looks really awesome... totally happy for you guys... would love to come back and avenge our loss from a couple of years ago!

[Longhorn]

That looks really awesome... totally happy for you guys... would love to come back and avenge our loss from a couple of years ago!

It would be a game that both fans bases would really enjoy and could embrace on an annual basis...and it would be easy to imagine if both schools were in the same conference. Perhaps someday if we're lucky!

[JMU1992]

Here's the latest photos. Looks great with the tarp off the field.

http://www.jmusports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?SPSID=595847&SPID=45221&PALBID=408752&DB_OEM_ID=14400

[Longhorn]

An image taken on the field by Vidal Nelson, JMU Sr. Captain (he's the figure in the foreground).

Gives a sense of the scale of the new HD scoreboard.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/colewelter/scoreboard.jpg

[Longhorn]

New pictures testing the lights

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/colewelter/IMG_5399.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/colewelter/IMG_5398.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/colewelter/IMG_5365.jpg

[Longhorn]

A wide-angle image of the completed stadium.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/colewelter/Bridgeforth-2.jpg

[Skjellyfetti]

A wide-angle image of the half completed stadium.

fify

[Dane96]

I say this with utmost respect, not a dig at all: JUST FINISH THE OTHER SIDE....MOVE UP AND GET ON WITH IT.

I mean, this is just too phenomenal for this level.

[appfan2008]

I love how close that new side is to the field... love it!

[Longhorn]

I say this with utmost respect, not a dig at all: JUST FINISH THE OTHER SIDE....MOVE UP AND GET ON WITH IT.

I mean, this is just too phenomenal for this level.

There is obviously a "big side" and a "small side" to Bridgeforth now, but up close and in person the way the new side has been sited/designed you're really unaware that the stadium does not have a completed lower bowl until you're actually entering the stadium. The massing of Godwin gymnasium behind the smaller side of the stadium provides visual weight to the older section, which helps to balance the smaller side against the upper-deck, and also helps mask the fact the new part doesn't connect to the older, original stands. Unless you're viewing the stadium from an airplane, or taking photos from the top of the taller campus buildings located across street (as seen in many of the pics posted on this thread), you really can't see the older section and how it relates to the newer section. The architects did a great job with this design, and it is even more impressive in person. Now JMU fans and foes need to fill it up so there is a need to build the other side!

[Saint3333]

fify

They've planned this stadium expansion very well and if it were ASU we would have enjoyed it.

[ElonPride]

A wide-angle image of the completed stadium.



Very nice! Dig that there's no longer a track around the field.

[phoenixphanatic21]

Holy hell that looks awesome.

[Longhorn]

fify

As this picture shows, it doesn't look like a half-finished job. At ground level, the whole thing is so massive it looks to be of one piece.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/colewelter/IMG_5399.jpg

And here are couple of other pics I thought were interesting. All photo credits to Deez on CAAZone who has been masterful in documenting the stadium all through building process.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/colewelter/IMG_5391.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/colewelter/IMG_5354.jpg

[Mountaineer]

Looks phenomenal.

Minus the Appalachian Athletics Center, I'd take "half" a Bridgeforth any day over KBS as far as seating goes. JMU did a great job.

[jmufan999]

the other reason the lopsided thing is a non-factor in my opinion is because of what you see from the interstate. you can't see the small side, you only see the massive side. it's RIGHT off of the interstate (which runs through our campus), very visible. a LOT of people are going to see this stadium, and that can't hurt any. they're not going to be saying "where's the other side?", they're going to say "wow, what is that?"

[ElonPride]

the other reason the lopsided thing is a non-factor in my opinion is because of what you see from the interstate. you can't see the small side, you only see the massive side. it's RIGHT off of the interstate (which runs through our campus), very visible. a LOT of people are going to see this stadium, and that can't hurt any. they're not going to be saying "where's the other side?", they're going to say "wow, what is that?"

I didn't have to drive by and look at this thing to say "wow." The pic speaks for itself!!! In my opinion, it's one of the top (as far as looks) in FCS. I'm sure it will provide a great game experience. I'm not too far away, and I may drive up for a game to check it out.

[jmufan999]

I didn't have to drive by and look at this thing to say "wow." The pic speaks for itself!!! In my opinion, it's one of the top (as far as looks) in FCS. I'm sure it will provide a great game experience. I'm not too far away, and I may drive up for a game to check it out.

let me just tell you this: i know i've gushed about this stadium and plenty are tired of reading about it. fine.

but when i actually saw the stadium with my own eyes, it actually is more impressive. seriously. i wasn't expecting it to be that cool, but it totally blew me away, seeing it up close.

[appfan2008]

how are ticket sales looking for that stadium this year will that big thing be full???

[Saint3333]

They'll likely sell out one or two games, but their leadership has thought this out and will not need further expansion for a few years. ASU should have added 8K vs. the 4.5K we added on the east side during our expansion.

[jmufan999]

how are ticket sales looking for that stadium this year will that big thing be full???

season ticket sales are up, but i'm not sure by how much. a lot will probably depend on how the team is doing. stay tuned.

[boonedocks]

Stadium looks great. Very well done.

[rufus]

They'll likely sell out one or two games, but their leadership has thought this out and will not need further expansion for a few years.

Exactly. The expansion was probably goes beyond what is required to simply meet current demand. It allows for attendance growth over time. It also better positions JMU for a move to FBS should the right opportunity present itself. A 25-27k seat stadium obviously isn't ideal for FBS, but it is certainly enough to get us through the transitional years until the other side is built.

[mad_dog97]

A few photos from a jmusports.com gallery for opening day/night in the new stadium:

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics32/1024/OW/OWUKWANSKELLEJI.20110911030059.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics32/1024/KI/KIIZJISUIVRVNVC.20110911052802.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/1024/KH/KHXGEGBSAERCKZB.20110911054520.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/1024/OL/OLXCXIKUGFFVHLJ.20110911054708.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/1024/RK/RKDYPJSJVMTPVLQ.20110911055339.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/1024/MC/MCLGFHMFMAQMRMT.20110911060034.jpg

http://www.jmusports.com/pics32/1024/LA/LAJEYMZXFKYNTNC.20110911062131.jpg

The full set of pics for anyone interested is at: http://www.jmusports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=14400&PALBID=417511

[Appfan_in_CAAland]

Looks awesome, but it would look better hosting the ASU Mountaineers in an FBS conference rivalry game.

[aceinthehole]

Exactly. The expansion was probably goes beyond what is required to simply meet current demand. It allows for attendance growth over time. It also better positions JMU for a move to FBS should the right opportunity present itself. A 25-27k seat stadium obviously isn't ideal for FBS, but it is certainly enough to get us through the transitional years until the other side is built.

Exactly. The new section is built for FBS - in many ways its almost BCS caliber. JMU has 1/2 a FBS stadium, and when they get the call to move up they can build the other half.

[HailSzczur]

It looks unbelievable, but I just cant get over how awkward the other side looks in comparison

[paward]

It looks to be a nice facility. That side some say look awkward is the visitors side I think. I can almost see my seat, lol. Enjoy it. It looks great to me.

[Top Dawg]

aceinthehole - I hope you enjoyed your trip and didn't run into too many arses, I know we have our share of them. Curious as to your thoughts of the stadium and gameday atmosphere as a visitor.

[rufus]

Looks awesome, but it would look better hosting the ASU Mountaineers in an FBS conference rivalry game.

This.

[aceinthehole]

aceinthehole - I hope you enjoyed your trip and didn't run into too many arses, I know we have our share of them. Curious as to your thoughts of the stadium and gameday atmosphere as a visitor.

Thanks. Everyone was pretty nice. I was there with my girlfirend in decked in blue, but we didn't mingle much with the locals at the game. We parked in the lot next to te Starbucks, walked over to will call, went in Gate B, checked out the field up close, them we were in the Visiting AD's suite for the game and post game. Great way to watch a game - food, beer, clean restroom.

First, JMU as a school was much bigger than I thought. It is the town of Harrisonburg. The campus and facilities looked very nice. As I said, everyone that we did interact with (fans, etc) was very nice. That sadium is fantastic. Didn't walk through the new side, but it was impressive. The video/scoreboard is stunning.

No doubt, JMU has 1/2 of a FBS facility. In due time, JMU will move up. Too much stuff out of their control right now (conferences, NCAA).

CCSU visits Bridgeforth again in 2013 - so we'll be back!