I know the focus is on the football facilities, and they should be. Hopefully the keg isn't ignored for too long, as it's been a long time since improvements have been done and it's pretty drab in there.
A few things I'd really like to see done at the CEC that wouldn't be too much work, but would seem to add a lot are:
- Removing the bleachers in the corners and the upper sections and putting seats in the entire arena. Heck, even the students get seats right now.
-Putting in different color seats around the arena. It's really obvious when seats are empty, as the yellow/gold empty seats really stand out.
- Removing the drop down baskets and using portable stand-alone hoops. We had those about a dozen years ago when I was in school, and then we go to drop downs that you see in high school gyms.
- Improving the sound system. It was either hard to hear or extremely muffled all game yesterday. Speakers could be put in the corners and around the concourse instead of the middle. It looks like an alien pod of some sort and reminds me of somebody who won't upgrade his sound system because it's "classic," even though it's outdated and you can get much better quality with smaller and fewer speakers.
-Putting video boards and scoreboards in the middle hanging from the ceiling (replacing the sound system). I know that weight is an issue, but I'm sure there is something that can be done.
-Adding a drop down type ceiling instead of all the dead space up in the rafters. It adds to the darkness/drabbiness of the arena. This would also help make the keg even louder than it already is. I think it would look really good to do something like how Utah State's place is. It would be light weight, brighten things up, and give a better overall look. This, along with better lighting would make it easier to see the crowd and make it easier to see the action on the floor.
Eventually, I'd like to see the bathrooms moved to the exterior and suites/press areas in the upper corners. This would obviously cost more money, but the purchases of the suites should pay for itself fairly quickly. This isn't an "easy" fix like some of the others, but would be a nice touch instead of having big concrete walls in the corners where the view is pretty darn good.
I wouldn't want the capacity to go up too much, as it's great when the stadium is full, and I'd rather have a full, small stadium like Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, etc. than a big stadium that's rarely filled like Coors Field, Chase Field, Skydome, etc. I think an overall capacity right around 12,000 would be good.
I know there were long term plans that came out while Bohn was around, but hopefully George looks at this as well and implements some improvements along the way, rather than waiting until things are painfully necessary.
This is just a wish list and something fun to think about while we have successful men's and women's basketball programs along with a successful volleyball program. Improvements would open the CEC to concerts and other things that could bring in money as well, something that is obviously important to the new AD.
A few things I'd really like to see done at the CEC that wouldn't be too much work, but would seem to add a lot are:
- Removing the bleachers in the corners and the upper sections and putting seats in the entire arena. Heck, even the students get seats right now.
-Putting in different color seats around the arena. It's really obvious when seats are empty, as the yellow/gold empty seats really stand out.
- Removing the drop down baskets and using portable stand-alone hoops. We had those about a dozen years ago when I was in school, and then we go to drop downs that you see in high school gyms.
- Improving the sound system. It was either hard to hear or extremely muffled all game yesterday. Speakers could be put in the corners and around the concourse instead of the middle. It looks like an alien pod of some sort and reminds me of somebody who won't upgrade his sound system because it's "classic," even though it's outdated and you can get much better quality with smaller and fewer speakers.
-Putting video boards and scoreboards in the middle hanging from the ceiling (replacing the sound system). I know that weight is an issue, but I'm sure there is something that can be done.
-Adding a drop down type ceiling instead of all the dead space up in the rafters. It adds to the darkness/drabbiness of the arena. This would also help make the keg even louder than it already is. I think it would look really good to do something like how Utah State's place is. It would be light weight, brighten things up, and give a better overall look. This, along with better lighting would make it easier to see the crowd and make it easier to see the action on the floor.
Eventually, I'd like to see the bathrooms moved to the exterior and suites/press areas in the upper corners. This would obviously cost more money, but the purchases of the suites should pay for itself fairly quickly. This isn't an "easy" fix like some of the others, but would be a nice touch instead of having big concrete walls in the corners where the view is pretty darn good.
I wouldn't want the capacity to go up too much, as it's great when the stadium is full, and I'd rather have a full, small stadium like Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, etc. than a big stadium that's rarely filled like Coors Field, Chase Field, Skydome, etc. I think an overall capacity right around 12,000 would be good.
I know there were long term plans that came out while Bohn was around, but hopefully George looks at this as well and implements some improvements along the way, rather than waiting until things are painfully necessary.
This is just a wish list and something fun to think about while we have successful men's and women's basketball programs along with a successful volleyball program. Improvements would open the CEC to concerts and other things that could bring in money as well, something that is obviously important to the new AD.
