Spectacular FCS Facilities

[blaw0203]

At the FBS level, "special facilities" that greatly aide in fielding competitive teams or recruiting athletes are commonly seen - however these types of facilities are rarely seen on the campuses of FCS Schools. In this thread, post pictures and explain of any facilities you know of on your campus or other FCS campuses that are not only outstanding, but beyond the "norm" for FCS programs.

To start out, I will use Appalacian State as an example: They have an indoor practice facility (Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility) that is phenomenal! They also have their own hotel & conference center (Broyhill Inn & Appalacian State Conference Center) on campus - its one thing to put a recruit up in a nice in-town hotel, but it is IMPRESSIVE to put them up in your OWN Hotel! WELL DONE APPALACIAN STATE!

1576115762

[Wildcat80]

Yes ASU football facilities are 2nd to none in FCS......but not the on campus hotel. Have stayed there...needs alot of work.

[clenz]

In terms of weight room, locker room, playing facility, and football offices UNI is near the top.

In terms outdoor practice settings, UNI is probably middle of the pack

[R3TRO]

UNH ranks last.

[ValleyChamp]

UNH ranks last.

xlolx

[Cocky]

JSU has good weightroom, locker room, stadium and the university owns its on hotel (damaged by tornadonthis week). My local high school has an indoor facility.

[Skjellyfetti]

My local high school has an indoor facility.

But does your university?

[asumike83]

yes we have a bad apple once every 160 years or so.

all that passing is unbecoming of a gentleman.

We all do, just giving you a hard time. Y'all have still managed to put some players in the NFL though.

As far as facilities go, the new digs at JMU look as good as anything I've seen at the FCS level. Haven't seen the weight room, field house, etc. but Bridgeforth is going to be great.

[Skjellyfetti]

http://www.goasu.com//pics24/640/UZ/UZMIUAQBPOBXMKH.20090911014237.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics21/640/UB/UBIZCEMXJJMPXAZ.20090911014151.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics11/800/CL/CLVEWUICTRPFJSE.20090911014146.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics24/640/CG/CGJBEIGVZFFESTX.20090911014142.jpg

http://www.goasu.com/pics/0/SL/SLFTWNADEXMMWBI.20091029170447.jpg?DB_OEM_ID=21500

http://www.goasu.com//pics10/640/XO/XOVAPEIPUQMOTRM.20090911014156.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics/481/GI/GIFPUYJIDJBWBFP.20090911014137.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics11/640/QX/QXFFEGNHOAVDZDU.20090911014123.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics/640/QR/QRYOXRARFSMWFFV.20090911014213.jpg

http://www.playattherock.com/images/badges/side_badge_indoor.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/0/RM/RMQEYWLPAFKBZFF.20100907155141.jpg

[blaw0203]

http://www.goasu.com//pics24/640/UZ/UZMIUAQBPOBXMKH.20090911014237.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics21/640/UB/UBIZCEMXJJMPXAZ.20090911014151.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics11/800/CL/CLVEWUICTRPFJSE.20090911014146.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics24/640/CG/CGJBEIGVZFFESTX.20090911014142.jpg

http://www.goasu.com/pics/0/SL/SLFTWNADEXMMWBI.20091029170447.jpg?DB_OEM_ID=21500

http://www.goasu.com//pics10/640/XO/XOVAPEIPUQMOTRM.20090911014156.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics/481/GI/GIFPUYJIDJBWBFP.20090911014137.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics11/640/QX/QXFFEGNHOAVDZDU.20090911014123.jpg

http://www.goasu.com//pics/640/QR/QRYOXRARFSMWFFV.20090911014213.jpg

http://www.playattherock.com/images/badges/side_badge_indoor.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/0/RM/RMQEYWLPAFKBZFF.20100907155141.jpg

I LOVE IT!!! - part jealous - LOL!!!

[Accelerati Incredibilus]

Wish they woud take some new pictures of the new trophy display in the reception area, without tags on furniture and workmen on ladders.

[The Eagle's Cliff]

I can't wait to dig this thread up a year from now. Our new 52,000 sq ft Football Operations Center will be in this category. We hope to break ground in the scoreboard endzone about the time Furman comes to Paulson Oct 15.

App's facilities are impressive. The only thing I don't like is the metal construction of the second deck. Concrete would be the preferred method, but their money was spent wisely nonetheless.

[DFW HOYA]

Unfortunately, it's mostly the same four or five schools with the impressive facilities every year in these threads, and the same four or five every year playing in a parking lot.

[Tuscon]

http://www.georgiastatesports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=205058630&SPSID=53624&SPID=5671&DB_OEM_ID=12700&PALBID=384831&PAGE=1&STOP=1

This was in December. Not really too sure how far along it is now.

[mgbison]

Here's some photos of the fargodome, ndsu's coaches offices and locker room.

https://admin.xosn.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?PALBID=384352&DB_OEM_ID=2400

We are getting new lighting (probably our biggest need) and a new sound system (they sound system is already put in i think) in the fargodome for this coming year and new field turf will be either this year or next year. Its begining to look like next year at this point, but the money has already been approved by the fargodome.

This fall they should be breaking ground on the SHAC (sanford health athletic complex). We are building/rennovating the basketball faciltiy, adding a multi-purpose indoor track and field training facility, new weight room, and new coaches offices for all other sports. They should be breaking ground on the track facility this fall (from the lastest news at the spring game). The total price tag was $35 million and we only have a couple million to go.

http://www.gobison.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?SPSID=11989&SPID=701&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=2400&PALBID=380357


Then we have our baseball field,

http://www.ballparkreviews.com/fargo/fargo.htm

[mgbison]

We have 2 grass practice fields, and the old Dacotah field (our old outdoor field prior to the fargodome that they use as a practice facility.

https://admin.xosn.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?PALBID=384352&DB_OEM_ID=2400

best photo i could find of Dacotah field

[Cocky]

But does your university?

No, I guess they could ride down the road a few miles and use it. If the facility was only used for athletics it would be hard to justify. We have turf so rain doesnt keep you from practicing only lightning. We play in rain so we need the game situation practice. Weather is normally real good in Alabama in late summer and fall.

[Tribe4SF]

While Zable Stadium remains antiquated, the rest of the football facilities at W&M are competitive with the best. The Laycock Center, Montgomery Strength Training Center, Sauer Speed Training Center, and Montgomery Practice Fields have proven to be difference makers in recruiting athletes. In keeping with our mission, and the type of athletes we recruit, we push Swem Library nearly as hard as the football facilities.

http://web.wm.edu/speedstrength/photos2.html

http://www.nmnathletics.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?SPSID=606208&SPID=80810&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=25100&PALBID=384891

http://www.tribeathletics.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?SPSID=606208&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=25100&PALBID=384895&DB_OEM_ID=25100

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Gregg_Swem_Library

[JMUDuke2002]

Plecker Center

http://www.jmusports.com//pics10/640/CO/COTQARCQIEWNTLS.20070622142335.jpg

New Bridgeforth

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics32/640/VT/VTFZWDIUEFPWTVV.20110502200500.JPG

[Wildcat80]

UNH ranks last.

I do not think we are last.....there are a number of high school quality FCS programs out there.....but UNH deserves better!

[Wildcat80]

Plecker Center

http://www.jmusports.com//pics10/640/CO/COTQARCQIEWNTLS.20070622142335.jpg

New Bridgeforth

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics32/640/VT/VTFZWDIUEFPWTVV.20110502200500.JPG

IMO JMU is headed for FBS......nice stadium expansion!

[DFW HOYA]

UNH ranks last.

Not even close. By prior discussions, the bottom five seemed to have settled in as:

1. Jacksonville
2. Georgetown
3. Duquesne
4. Mississippi Valley St. (pre-renovation)
5. Prairie View A&M

[bluehenbillk]

Anyone else find it ironic, that a school like App State, with some of the nicest facilities in FCS got taken to the woodshed, at home, against a school with some of the worst facilities in all of FCS last December in Villanova......

[401ks]

Not even close. By prior discussions, the bottom five seemed to have settled in as:

1. Jacksonville
2. Georgetown
3. Duquesne
4. Mississippi Valley St. (pre-renovation)
5. Prairie View A&M

xeyebrowx

Some folks were remembering the "old" Rooney Field. IIRC, the "prior discussion" corrected the notion that Duquesne belongs in the "bottom five". Rooney Field may be "small" since it is crammed into a small space on an urban campus (I use the word "quaint"), but the facilities are far, FAR superior to places such as Georgetown. Rooney Field is actually a marvelous place to watch a college football game. The problem is that only a limited number of fans can enjoy a game at any given time!

xpeacex

[DFW HOYA]

Anyone else find it ironic, that a school like App State, with some of the nicest facilities in FCS got taken to the woodshed, at home, against a school with some of the worst facilities in all of FCS last December in Villanova......

Villanova: Below average, but not "some of the worst."


Rooney Field may be "small" since it is crammed into a small space on an urban campus (I use the word "quaint"), but the facilities are far, FAR superior to places such as Georgetown.

I'm not sure it's "far superior" to the Field With No Name, but it does finish better on the list. Hard to beat the top...er, bottom two. Howver poor the MSF is, it's a significant step above its last home field.

On the other hand, Duquesne needs to do better with attendance, regardless of location. Duquesne finished last in that category in 2010 (1,668).

[StorminASU]

Anyone else find it ironic, that a school like App State, with some of the nicest facilities in FCS got taken to the woodshed, at home, against a school with some of the worst facilities in all of FCS last December in Villanova......

xeyebrowx What on earth are you talking about? App won the championship last year...at least that's what we like to believe in Boone xsmiley_wix

[GaSouthern]

GSU's getting a new 52K sqft Endzone building in the scoreboard endzone which will have new lockers for our team, weight room and a large digital scoreboard built into the building much like you see at Ga Tech.

[darell1976]

UND is in the talks about getting an indoor practice facility, its been in the talks for about 4 or 5 years we just need the $$$ which is almost there to get the ball rolling on construction.

The arcitect group has a site what the facility may look like.
http://www.jlgarchitects.com/ then click on "the work" then "hockey/sports" then "UND Athletics Master plan" it shows the indoor practice field and also a remodel of Memorial Stadium which would be roughly a 25,000 seat horseshoe shaped stadium (which is just a dream for now).

[oldsouthernman]

http://www.gomocs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=17700&ATCLID=1097276


http://www.gomocs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&SPSID=88679&SPID=10577&DB_OEM_ID=17700&ATCLID=204974173

http://www.gomocs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&SPSID=88679&SPID=10577&DB_OEM_ID=17700&ATCLID=3647317
http://www.gomocs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&SPSID=88679&SPID=10577&DB_OEM_ID=17700&ATCLID=3647317

[putter]

Montana has a nice stadium but everything else is very antiquated, at best. Locker rooms are a joke and the weight room needs to be updated - badly. They are working on a remodel of another building to become the new athletic center but that is still in the discussion stages.

[blaw0203]

Bethune-Cookman University has a great new Athletic Training Center coming soon!

http://www.cookman.edu/newsInfo/suptInfo/lrhatc.html

[Pard4Life]

Lafayette's facilities are on par with App State, minus the practice facility and second stadium deck. Princeton probably has the best FCS stadium and their other facilites are pretty good.

[bluehenbillk]

Villanova: Below average, but not "some of the worst."



Well forget the lower FCS leagues and just consider the CAA, Southern, Southland, Mo Valley, and Big Sky and it'd be in the bottom 10 or 20 percent.

[813Jag]

Southern:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa108/cdwells750/su2-2.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa108/cdwells750/su1-3.jpg

[DJOM]

Thanks for the nod Pard4Life. Although they do not have the indoor facility---the stadium, weight room, practice fields, etc are second to none.

[HailSzczur]

Anyone else find it ironic, that a school like App State, with some of the nicest facilities in FCS got taken to the woodshed, at home, against a school with some of the worst facilities in all of FCS last December in Villanova......

You mean bad facilities like Andy Talley's office? Its under the stands and if you sit on the one end you have to watch your head when you get up because the ceilings so low.

However our facilities arent all bad, atleast we have a nice press box:
http://gbuildcm.com/gb/gbuild.nsf//0/6E3C7E6477981E63852576400052363B/$FILE/villanove-stadium.jpg

I would not say that we have good facilities, but would not put us in the discussion of worst facilities either

[Wildcat80]

Not even close. By prior discussions, the bottom five seemed to have settled in as:

1. Jacksonville
2. Georgetown
3. Duquesne
4. Mississippi Valley St. (pre-renovation)
5. Prairie View A&M

How close is Fordham?

[Cleets]

Anyone else find it ironic, that a school like App State, with some of the nicest facilities in FCS got taken to the woodshed, at home, against a school with some of the worst facilities in all of FCS last December in Villanova......

Taken to the woodshed...
Hmmm... was it anything like the second half of the National Championship Game last year...?

[Western_101]

Yeah, Princeton's Football Stadium does look impressive, really nice architecturally too.

[Go...gate]

Lafayette's facilities are on par with App State, minus the practice facility and second stadium deck. Princeton probably has the best FCS stadium and their other facilites are pretty good.

Yep. Hit it right on the head. Lafayette's facility is terrific. Princeton's stadium is nicer but their training facilities could use some expansion (though that may be in the works).

[appstate38]

+1

Lafayette did a great job on their facilities

[WMTribe90]

IMO JMU is headed for FBS......nice stadium expansion!

Maybe, but they are taking the "if we build it they (FBS offers) will come" approach. Pretty big gamble, considering the only realistic FBS conference option in their geographical footpring is C-USA. Most of their fans would not be happy with membership in the MAC or A-Sun, which offer poor fits with respect to regional rivals and competitiion level. Chances of CUSA taking an FCS program are slim. And, even C-USA did take an FCS team I'm not sure JMU would be their first pick. Programs like ASU (now) and ODU (in a few years) would be better options. ODU has very good facilities and the stadium could easily be expanded to 25,000+ at minimal cost, a more attractive basketball program, a huge untapped media market, and a direct pipeline to local football talent. Current stadiums aside, the upside to ODU football and basketball far excedes what JMU can bring to the table from their rural setting in Harrisonburg.

To put it another way, JMU bought a pretty dress in the hopes that a boy will invite them to the prom. They'll still benefit from the stadium at the FCS level. I just don't building the stadium first improves their odds enough to justify the high cost.

[JMU2004]

Maybe, but they are taking the "if we build it they (FBS offers) will come" approach. Pretty big gamble, considering the only realistic FBS conference option in their geographical footpring is C-USA. Most of their fans would not be happy with membership in the MAC or A-Sun, which offer poor fits with respect to regional rivals and competitiion level. Chances of CUSA taking an FCS program are slim. And, even C-USA did take an FCS team I'm not sure JMU would be their first pick. Programs like ASU (now) and ODU (in a few years) would be better options. ODU has very good facilities and the stadium could easily be expanded to 25,000+ at minimal cost, a more attractive basketball program, a huge untapped media market, and a direct pipeline to local football talent. Current stadiums aside, the upside to ODU football and basketball far excedes what JMU can bring to the table from their rural setting in Harrisonburg.

To put it another way, JMU bought a pretty dress in the hopes that a boy will invite them to the prom. They'll still benefit from the stadium at the FCS level. I just don't building the stadium first improves their odds enough to justify the high cost.


We shall see. I don't want to move up yet, but I don't want to be in FCS when ASU, ODU, and some others move on.

[DFW HOYA]

ODU has very good facilities and the stadium could easily be expanded to 25,000+ at minimal cost, a more attractive basketball program, a huge untapped media market, and a direct pipeline to local football talent.

How exactly do you expand Foreman Field at minimal cost? The stands are set-in concrete from the WPA days and its curved shape does not lend itself well to tiering. The south end zone is the offices and training facility, the north end is already bleachers which could be extended, but few would want to sit up that high to add 5,000 more seats as you suggest.

[WMTribe90]

How exactly do you expand Foreman Field at minimal cost? The stands are set-in concrete from the WPA days and its curved shape does not lend itself well to tiering. The south end zone is the offices and training facility, the north end is already bleachers which could be extended, but few would want to sit up that high to add 5,000 more seats as you suggest.

Agree that it would be tough to expand seating capacity in the clam shell sidelines. However, the south endzone could be horse-shoed in to connect with the clam shells. This would easily add 5-7,000 seats at a minimal cost compared to a new stadium or major renovations involving the clam shells.

Here is an article from the Daily Press where some ODU engineering students show plans that include new sideline seating and horseshoeing the south endzone. Their plan gets ODU to 30,000 plus. Just doing the south endzone would likely yield 25,000+ seating capacity.

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/04/odu-students-have-designs-foreman-field

[Longhorn]

Maybe, but they are taking the "if we build it they (FBS offers) will come" approach. Pretty big gamble, considering the only realistic FBS conference option in their geographical footpring is C-USA. Most of their fans would not be happy with membership in the MAC or A-Sun, which offer poor fits with respect to regional rivals and competitiion level. Chances of CUSA taking an FCS program are slim. And, even C-USA did take an FCS team I'm not sure JMU would be their first pick. Programs like ASU (now) and ODU (in a few years) would be better options. ODU has very good facilities and the stadium could easily be expanded to 25,000+ at minimal cost, a more attractive basketball program, a huge untapped media market, and a direct pipeline to local football talent. Current stadiums aside, the upside to ODU football and basketball far excedes what JMU can bring to the table from their rural setting in Harrisonburg.

To put it another way, JMU bought a pretty dress in the hopes that a boy will invite them to the prom. They'll still benefit from the stadium at the FCS level. I just don't building the stadium first improves their odds enough to justify the high cost.

Or perhaps you've you've got it ALL wrong, and JMU just expanded and improved their stadium to meet the demands of their growing fanbase and student body? Could be. Oh, and it won't hurt in recruiting either. In the meantime, your take on ODU is hilarious..."the stadium could easily be expanded to 25,000+ at minimal cost"??? What a hoot. I know W&M's colors include green...didn't realize how appropriate that is in relation to your facility envy.

[Longhorn]

Such a project would not be at "minimal cost"...unless you're a bureaucrat who thinks multiple seven-figure construction projects are "minimal". And I've seen the ODU student renderings of a proposed Foreman expansion...it looked liked an amateur effort. And even then it only gets the facility to 30k. Expansion at ODU may well come in time, but "connecting" the two "clam shells" is a dead end functionally and aesthetically. In the end ODU will have to bite the same bullet JMU choose, and that's to tear down and rebuild.

[bjtheflamesfan]

Liberty is making moves to get into that top group facilitywise...the weight room at the Williams Football Operations Center is probably one of the top weight rooms at the FCS level, Then the first phase of addition to Williams Stadium was completed last fall. App State does have some legit top notch facilities though Im not gonna lie

[Accelerati Incredibilus]

Liberty is making moves to get into that top group facilitywise...the weight room at the Williams Football Operations Center is probably one of the top weight rooms at the FCS level, THen the first phase of addition to Williams Stadium was completed last fall. App State does have some legit top notch facilities though Im not gonna lie

I've been inside your Football Operations Center and it is as nice as they come. I imagine the new pressbox and club level seating are as well. I'd be proud to be in a league with you guys.

[WMTribe90]

Or perhaps you've you've got it ALL wrong, and JMU just expanded and improved their stadium to meet the demands of their growing fanbase and student body? Could be. Oh, and it won't hurt in recruiting either. In the meantime, your take on ODU is hilarious..."the stadium could easily be expanded to 25,000+ at minimal cost"??? What a hoot. I know W&M's colors include green...didn't realize how appropriate that is in relation to your facility envy.

Yes, the cost of expanding Foreman to 25,000 would be minimal compared to what JMU is spending on their stadium expansion. I made an objective assessment. You can disagree, but it's hilarious how every JMU fan throws out the "jealousy" card every time someone questions JMU's push for FBS status. No jealousy here, very happy with the state of WM football and playing at the FCS level.

Obviously reading comprehension isn't your strong suit since I clearly stated in my original post to this thread that JMU will reap benefits from the expansion even if they stay at the FCS level. My post was in response to the sentiment expressed in this thread and elsewhere that JMU is destined for FBS just because of the stadium expansion. Its clear this expansion was undertaken with FBS membership in mind and that's a huge gamble given the only conference that makes sense (C-USA) hasn't invited JMU and isn't likely to anytime soon.

Not an ODU fan by any means, but they will easily be the more desirable FBS expansion candidate in a few years. They averaged more fans than JMU in their first season of football in decades, they are centered in a huge untapped media market that is football crazed, they have a direct pipeline to high level recruits in their own backyard and they have a superior basketball program and facility.

[Longhorn]

Yes, the cost of expanding Foreman to 25,000 would be minimal compared to what JMU is spending on their stadium expansion. I made an objective assessment. You can disagree, but it's hilarious how every JMU fan throws out the "jealousy" card every time someone questions JMU's push for FBS status. No jealousy here, very happy with the state of WM football and playing at the FCS level.

Obviously reading comprehension isn't your strong suit since I clearly stated in my original post to this thread that JMU will reap benefits from the expansion even if they stay at the FCS level. My post was in response to the sentiment expressed in this thread and elsewhere that JMU is destined for FBS just because of the stadium expansion. Its clear this expansion was undertaken with FBS membership in mind and that's a huge gamble given the only conference that makes sense (C-USA) hasn't invited JMU and isn't likely to anytime soon.

Not an ODU fan by any means, but they will easily be the more desirable FBS expansion candidate in a few years. They averaged more fans than JMU in their first season of football in decades, they are centered in a huge untapped media market that is football crazed, they have a direct pipeline to high level recruits in their own backyard and they have a superior basketball program and facility.
You've not made an "objective assessment"...you've made an erroneous "guess" about JMU's intentions based upon your own ill-informed opinion about the motivations behind JMU's decision to rebuild and expand Bridgeforth. Nothing wrong with that, other than your ignorant opinion has it all wrong regarding the primary reasons behind Bridgeforth's rebuild. Apparently, either you can't comprehend, or have chosen to dismiss, the FACTS (which I have previously provided to you) that JMU's growing fanbase and student body are THE primary reasons behind this project. Simply put, the possibility of moving to FBS has never been the rationale used to justify this project by anyone in charge at JMU. Any argument to the contrary is a product of misguided fan-based banter and assumptions discussed on boards like this one. Might a JMU move to FBS happen? At some point in the future, perhaps, but that possibility is not the reason Bridgeforth has been expanded. You've convinced yourself otherwise (perhaps by putting too much stock in posts by rabid JMU fans), but in the process you've assumed the arrogant persona of someone more "in-the-know" regarding the purpose of this expansion than those people at JMU really in the know. Bottom line, you're not in the know, and you don't know what you're talking about. This project isn't a "huge gamble" in any sense of the word. The funding for it is secured. It's not being built on the hope JMU will move to FBS play. The 25,000+ seats at the new Bridgeforth are needed NOW to meet JMU's growing demand at the FCS level, while providing the best possible competitive advantage to our coaches and players. That the design of JMU's state-of-the-art facility has the potential to be seamlessly expanded at some time in the future is more a reflection of smart planning, than an expression of future conference alignments.

And as for ODU's basketball facilities...not that this topic is germane to a FCS board...but I'd agree with you that the TED is a 1st rate venue, and the pride of the CAA (IMO)...at least for the moment. But that's subject to change...especially when JMU moves forward with it's plans to build a new $80+ million basketball arena and varsity practice courts.
The only constant here is change...and as it's been observed, as things change you're either moving ahead or falling back. JMU is obviously moving forward. Finally, it's not FBS aspirations that provoke jealousy from rival fans...it's the investment in facilities, and what they portend for future competitive success.

[GoDukes86]

Agreed Longhorn, our Administration hasn't made this expansion into a leap towards FBS, much to the chagrin of many alumni.

[GannonFan]

Taken to the woodshed...
Hmmm... was it anything like the second half of the National Championship Game last year...?

Losing by one point in a title game and being maybe 25 yards away from trying a game winning FG is "being taken to the woodshed"? Losing sucked, sure, but mayeb you guys have different woodsheds out west than in most parts of the country?

[GannonFan]

Anyone else find it ironic, that a school like App State, with some of the nicest facilities in FCS got taken to the woodshed, at home, against a school with some of the worst facilities in all of FCS last December in Villanova......

Agreed - facilities are great and fun to talk about, but facilities don't win games. UNH has been to the playoffs something like 7 years in a row and their facilities are amemic at best. nova plays in a dump of a track and field stadium (with a nice pressbox, but little to no bathrooms) and yet they won the title. Richmond won a title playing in decrepit (sp?) City Stadium.

On the other side of the coin, Lafayette's got a gorgeous facility now and I don't see them knocking on the national championship door anytime soon. Heck, even with Appy St's great facilities, they haven't won a title since '07, and two of those years they still had AE and didn't win.

Bottom line - facilities don't win squat. Well, other than message board victories.

[StorminASU]

Bottom line - facilities don't win squat. Well, other than message board victories.


I do sleep better at night though, knowing we have some ba facilities.

[GoDukes86]

No question, Appy's KBS is a great facility. I think a lot of Appy fans have expressed their preferences on eliminating the track, but anyone who knows Boone knows the challenges for big enough tracts of property close to campus that would accommodate ideal needs. Aesthetically speaking, with or without the completion of the visitors side, Bridgeforth is unmatched in my unbiased opinion...:)

[asumike83]

No question, Appy's KBS is a great facility. I think a lot of Appy fans have expressed their preferences on eliminating the track, but anyone who knows Boone knows the challenges for big enough tracts of property close to campus that would accommodate ideal needs. Aesthetically speaking, with or without the completion of the visitors side, Bridgeforth is unmatched in my unbiased opinion...:)

Agreed on both fronts. I really want us to lose the track, but we're short on places to put it. Also, Bridgeforth is looking pretty bad-***.

[Redbirdz]

The Jacksonville State stadium is really a show place at 24,000; easily expandable if necessary to 30,000. It has 33 skyboxes already and a big club level floor.

[Sly Fox]

I am shocked to be taking this position, but throwing PVU's Blackshear in the Bottom 5 of FCS facilities can't be defended if you are leaving out some other schools like Charleston Southern and PV's archrivals in Houston. Granted the Houston City Council strong-armed TSU's way into the new Dynamo Stadium, but the current on-campus facility is lame by even high school standards (although the hoops arena next door is outstanding).

And if Prairie View can somehow find a way to fund their proposed expansion, they might end up with one of the better FCS facilities in the nation (assuming some of the other players have already moved on to greener FBS pastures).

[Accelerati Incredibilus]

No question, Appy's KBS is a great facility. I think a lot of Appy fans have expressed their preferences on eliminating the track, but anyone who knows Boone knows the challenges for big enough tracts of property close to campus that would accommodate ideal needs. Aesthetically speaking, with or without the completion of the visitors side, Bridgeforth is unmatched in my unbiased opinion...:)

The braintrust at ASU is actively looking for on campus locations to relocate the track. Although a lot of dirt will need to be moved the most desireable spot is near the new baseball stadium. Coach John Weaver wants a dedicated facility and the program certainly deserves one. Even when it is moved I don't see lowering the field, as many ASU fans would like to see, happening. I do see endzone seating connecting the two sides which will make the stadium much more intimate and loud. Right now the stadium has an expansive feeling to it. Considering the space behind the south (bank) endzone, seating for 10,000 can easily be built.

[TheBisonator]

NDSU has put money and renovations into the Fargodome over the years (it was completed in 1993), and among the immediate improvements upcoming is new HD lighting being installed right now, (watching a game in the FFD before was like watching a game in a basement), and new turf for the 2012 season, the same kind the St. Louis Rams have. It's not specifically "Field Turf", but it's no longer going to be old-school Astrodome "House Of Pain" turf. It's the same kind of fake-grass infill turf that's been put in everywhere over the past decade. I also heard that we have a nice new bass-booming sound system with new speakers everywhere.

I can't wait to take in a game again in a couple years and see the new turf. It'll be nice.