Near Future/Construction at the Doyt

[Salsa]

I agree that taking down the North Bleachers this soon appears to be a change in plans. Anybody have a good guess as to why they're making this change?

With the North Bleachers gone, it's hard for me to believe that the capacity at the Doyt will remain just over 25,000 for very long. How much will this decrease revenue this year, for example, for the Toledo game, or how much will it dampen student enthusiasm if they come to the game and are turned away? If the Toledo game this season plays a significant role in determining the race in the MAC East and West Divisions, attendance could be 33,000 or more. But with the North Bleachers gone, there's no way we can cram that many into the Doyt.

So, I believe the 25,000 or so capacity won't be with us for very long.

If I were to be asked what will happen, I would guess this. A new convocation center will be constructed which will butt up against the Doyt at its South end. Part of this construction will include new seating for the Doyt, and the architecture will blend in with the Sebo Center at the North end zone.

Hey, Falcon fans, wouldn't that be nice?

[It's the Journey...]

I would tend to agree with you. I woul think that when new convocation cente is built a permanent area for the bookstore will be put in that facility. In addition a permanent Falcon Club area that looks over a new basketball floor as well as looking over the football field would not be a stretch. I also believe we could see a whole new stadium with new sides in the next 15 years of so. So, if this program continues to grow as we all know it is capable of, I would venture to say we could see a Doyt Perry stadium that seats 40,000. I can't wait, FALC IT UP!!!

[Schadenfreude]

I suppose the theory of reducing capacity is two fold:

1. It will enhance the experience of fans by packing people together more closely, creating a more exciting atmosphere.
2. It will create more scarcity for big games, which could rub off into greater demand for games that don't sell well and allow BGSU to charge more coin, especially for big games.

(In fact, I would guess the big price hike for the Toledo game -- $26 -- was set with the reduction in seating in mind. There is little doubt in my mind that the Toledo will sell out 24,000 seats at $26. We'll pay. We have to. It's must-see football.)

Anyway, I think that is the usual thinking for reducing capacity. (One added benefit for BGSU is that empty bleachers make our product look bad on TV and in photos).

Thing is, we have such wild swings in attendance that I'm not sure whether or not this will work as well as it did for the Cleveland Indians or the Detroit Lions. We'll see about that.

As far as locating a convocation center -- I actually lean against trying to integrate one with new end zone seating right away.

I would actually build the convo center far enough away so that end zone seating can be added if need be some day -- but not actually build the seating. Why stare at seats we may not fill consistently?

Instead, I'd like to see the next step happen along one of the sidelines in the form of new luxury seating and/or a second deck.

(One big problem: The lights might have to move, and that might be expensive)

Obviously, a second deck it very much a pipe dream.

I actually think we may be at 24,000 or so for a while.

[Warthog]

(One big problem: The lights might have to move, and that might be expensive)

Don't know if we would be allowed to move the lights. If you remember, we kind of "asked for forgiveness, rather than ask for permission" when they were installed. They are actually against FAA regulations for height of objects in vicinity of an airport. Seems kind of silly, but BGSU was issued a special exemption for the lights. IIRC, they asked for an exemption, never heard a response, so proceeded with the work. Then after it was done, someone said, "Hey you can't do that". Not really that important, but thought I'd mention it since Schade brought up the light issue.

[NWLB]

The University still owns the airport. If the FAA doesn't like it, we can always turn it into over flow parking.

[Anonymous]

All the reports that I read months ago said they would take down the bleachers. I even posted that in one of the SEBO links. I am not sure why this is a surprise to everyone.

[Metz]

All the reports that I read months ago said they would take down the bleachers. I even posted that in one of the SEBO links. I am not sure why this is a surprise to everyone.

Maybe they can sell standing room tickets for the endzone area now. After sitting in those bleachers for a year, I would rather stand on the ground than sit in them! But with what you said bgsufan, I've been waiting for them to take them down since after the season and in all honesty, feel they kind of delayed it from their original talks.

[NWLB]

With the north stands down, does that mean the band has to sit on little carpet squares in the endzone?

[Falconboy]

I think building a mini-horseshoe stadium with the north endzone completely filled with a grandstand seating connecting with both the ends of of the West and East stands. And we wouldnt' have to build higher than East & West stands already are so that would allow for us to still see the nice architecture of the Sebo Center. Then we could upgrade the south endzone later as demand allows.Besides having another wall of stadium with fans will help make the Doyt a loud place, cuz frankly the Doyt is not loud by any stretch of the imagination right now. The loudest I can ever remember the Doyt being was when #12 NIU came here with Game Day all that hoopla and thundersticks and probably the biggest contingent of students ever at a BG football game. The Doyt has never been that loud for a game since. Its almost the opposite of Anderson Arena, which can sound quite loud even with 1500 people there if their all mostly all up and yelling and clapping and into the game and what not.

[Metz]

With the north stands down, does that mean the band has to sit on little carpet squares in the endzone?

My guess is that they will put the band on the East side of the stadium down by the entrance tunnel. They moved the band to the endzone so people could hear us better which leads me to believe they wouldn't put them back on the West side again. But yeah, carpet squares would be cool

[Metz]

I think building a mini-horseshoe stadium with the north endzone completely filled with a grandstand seating connecting with both the ends of of the West and East stands.

You never did state your point.

The Doyt has never been that loud for a game since. Its almost the opposite of Anderson Arena, which can sound quite loud even with 1500 people there

With more seats that people are spread out over and being in an outdoor situation, you can't really compare The Doyt to AA. 1500 people all together in a small area will always be louder...that's just common sense. If we did build a complete mini-horseshoe thing in the North endzone, I'd want it like CMU's to be honest. I don't think we need more stands as high as we have now. Building it up halfway or only like 10-20 rows would be plenty,

[redskins4ever]

The Doyt has always been built with the idea that if need be Second Decks could be added on to the original structure, although i dont like that idea, its way more plausible for an addition to the stadium then throwing in crappy endzone seating. What would make the most sense is to tear down the West Side stands and build a much steeper grade seating and pump up the seating to about 20,000 for the homeside and bringing capacity up to 32-35K, and then doing the same to the East Side if need be.

[Schadenfreude]

What would make the most sense is to tear down the West Side stands and build a much steeper grade seating and pump up the seating to about 20,000 for the homeside and bringing capacity up to 32-35K, and then doing the same to the East Side if need be.

I agree that our stands have too gentle a slope.

Thing is, I was driving by Browns Stadium the other day and noticed that it's lower deck seems to have the same slope.



(Look how steep those upper decks are!)

And, anyway, tearing down a side of our stadium strikes me as less realistic than just building a new deck. Our sideline seating may not be perfect, but it is paid for.

[It's the Journey...]

I like the way you think. Put the fans on the side, the band in one endzone, and a big video board looking the punter right in the eyes Or better yet have a big pair of Falcon eyes looking down on them.

[Metz]

For the women's bball NCAA tourney game, we passed by Washington's football field and I was like holy crap, compared to our place, the seats looked REALLY steep. The Browns' upperdeck is probably steeper though.