".......for the design and construction of a new stadium"

[Falcon137]

It will be interesting to see what they come up with. Seems like it would be hard to move the actual footprint of the stadium with the way the Sebo is integrated.

[Tech83]

It will be interesting to see what they come up with. Seems like it would be hard to move the actual footprint of the stadium with the way the Sebo is integrated.

I wouldn't be surprised if the architect who did the Sebo gets hired to do the study and any project arising out of it. I'd love to see HOK Sports or one of the little spin-off firms (started by former HOK employees) get this. They are high water mark in that market. Amenities are important, but so are sight-lines.

[MarkL]

Looking over the document, I guess I have one pressing question ... how structurally sound is the stadium right now? Is it really actually seriously bad? The structural integrity of the Doyt was examined early this year and determined to be in need of repairs, and that seems to be the most important focus of this RFQ. If the structure really is that bad, has the maintenance been bad? I remember after the mud bowl of 2006 (Greg Christopher's first year as AD), it was discussed that the drainage tiles under the field had been due for replacement for over a decade. It was a miracle that the mud bowl of 2006 was Mud Bowl 1, not Mud Bowl 25. Is there a history of poor maintenance of athletic facilities at the university? Looking at the condition of the compressors at the ice arena a few years ago (held together by bailing wire since replacement parts were no longer available!!) and the issues with the grass football field, it makes me wonder if previous administrations ignored or at least marginalized upkeep of athletic facilities, and if so that is really disappointing. In the last few years there's been the replacement of said drainage tiles and installation of field turf, compressor replacements in the ice arena, a new basketball arena, video board upgrade, etc. If the upkeep had a history of being bad, I'm really glad the current folks are taking maintenance as seriously as they are.

[Flipper]

Of course they did a lousy job of upkeep...we had chunks of concrete falling off the side of the grandsands.....

[FalconTurf]

When roofing a home the owner often discovers problems for the first time. Most people don't hire house inspections periodically. The lack of updates or remodeling for years has caused this sudden pile of discoveries.

About the time, 20 years ago, they added the elevators to The Doyt wasn't there an effort to seal the grandstand because of leaking below? Seems there have been issues addressed but never solved.

[1987alum]

Late to the party, but VERY excited about this. Our campus is looking so awesome with all the incredible projects that have unfolded over the past few years.

Looking forward to hearing more about this ...

[BGSU33]

This means if there is a public forum - say through the Falcon Club or Alumni Association - you NEED to go and express your opinion. Speaking as an Architect who has conducted these types of forums..... we really are looking for people to express their opinion and it gives us the fuel to push clients in the right direction. You'd be surprised how hard it is to get the public involved in public projects.

If anyone hears of such an opportunity, please keep the rest of us informed as I would love to be a part of it.

[h2oville rocket]

Looking over the document, I guess I have one pressing question ... how structurally sound is the stadium right now? Is it really actually seriously bad? The structural integrity of the Doyt was examined early this year and determined to be in need of repairs, and that seems to be the most important focus of this RFQ. If the structure really is that bad, has the maintenance been bad? I remember after the mud bowl of 2006 (Greg Christopher's first year as AD), it was discussed that the drainage tiles under the field had been due for replacement for over a decade. It was a miracle that the mud bowl of 2006 was Mud Bowl 1, not Mud Bowl 25. Is there a history of poor maintenance of athletic facilities at the university? Looking at the condition of the compressors at the ice arena a few years ago (held together by bailing wire since replacement parts were no longer available!!) and the issues with the grass football field, it makes me wonder if previous administrations ignored or at least marginalized upkeep of athletic facilities, and if so that is really disappointing. In the last few years there's been the replacement of said drainage tiles and installation of field turf, compressor replacements in the ice arena, a new basketball arena, video board upgrade, etc. If the upkeep had a history of being bad, I'm really glad the current folks are taking maintenance as seriously as they are.

A couple years ago they redid the tennis courts-they were a wreck-I don't think they had any home tennis for a year or two. Christopher continues to do a great job getting the facilities in shape. You all are lucky to have him.

[ChardonFalcon]

With the attendance trend it seems like renovating one side one year and the other the next is a given. When considering Sebo and Stroh (and shared parking) it only makes sense to do it in the current location.Okay, I may be a dinosaur....but I always like the lay out of the current stadium (concessions and men's/women's room excluded). Why not duplicate the current structure as close as possible (retaining a traditional split bowl), adding chair back seats, improving concessions areas and blocking off the south end with mounds/landscaping ( let's face it, Wooster street traffic and businesses are bush league when viewed from the stadium). And please...no aluminum stands.

[Falcon137]

Wonder if they'll about putting a practice bubble in somewhere near the stadium / Sebo.

[BGSU33]

I would STRONGLY encourage BG to look closely not only at what Akron has done, but also what North Texas and Florida Atlantic have as both have just recently built new stadiums and both stadiums are fantastic!!! And they fall into the mold of what would work at BG in terms of a new facility that would not only fit our needs, but it would propel our facility straight to the top of the MAC. Both North Texas and FAU were playing in arguably the worst facilities in the country in recent year (I also saw both of their old facilities) and their new stadiums are GEMS! In terms of renovations (and staying in the Sun Belt), I was also impressed with what Western Kentucky's overall facility was like. There are some Sun Belt facilities that put most of the MAC's to shame right now.

North Texas: http://www.meangreenmap.com/apogeestadium.html

Florida Atlantic: http://www.fau.edu/stadium/

Western Kentucky: http://www.wkusports.com/ViewArticle.db ... ID=3747385

[Dayons_Den]

33- out of the ones you posted I think the WKU facility best fits our mold. If I remember correctly, the WKU facility was originally built in the 60s and recently went through the renovations and would be almost identical to the process we would need to complete. I like that it is two-tiered yet has a cozy feeling to it. Not only that , but it also appears to have a concourse with conecssion stands/bathrooms in sight of the playing field. The NTX and FAU facilities are great but I think they are on a bit of a larger scale than we need.

The WKU stadium almost seems TOO perfect- a renovation that includes a "home" (hate that designation as we aren't a HS stadium) side with suites with outdoor seating, a two-tiered "other" side with press box, and berm in the scoreboard endzone.

Check it out: http://wkuphoto.files.wordpress.com/201 ... g_4860.jpg

[Lord_Byron]

I love the idea of having a berm in the endzone. Let families come in with a blanket and sit there. Room for the kids to run around, etc.

We have them on both foul lines in our AAA baseball park, and they are very popular areas. My daughter and her friends always want to go hang out there when we go to games. ..

[MarkL]

Whatever they do for renovations, I do have one strong, strong, strong request. And I'll voice this at any public forums ...

Keep the name Doyt L. Perry Stadium. No sponsors. If there is a new name for the field or a stadium wall or family picnic seating, etc, please name it after a coach, donor, community member, etc. The very thought of Bowling Green football being played in any corporate named stadium is sickening. Hearing the name InfoCision stadium, or hearing Minnesota football played in TCF Bank Stadium, no matter how nice either are, sound so cheap.

[kdog27]

33- out of the ones you posted I think the WKU facility best fits our mold. If I remember correctly, the WKU facility was originally built in the 60s and recently went through the renovations and would be almost identical to the process we would need to complete. I like that it is two-tiered yet has a cozy feeling to it. Not only that , but it also appears to have a concourse with conecssion stands/bathrooms in sight of the playing field. The NTX and FAU facilities are great but I think they are on a bit of a larger scale than we need.

The WKU stadium almost seems TOO perfect- a renovation that includes a "home" (hate that designation as we aren't a HS stadium) side with suites with outdoor seating, a two-tiered "other" side with press box, and berm in the scoreboard endzone.

Check it out: http://wkuphoto.files.wordpress.com/201 ... g_4860.jpg

I haven't seen a game there but I have stopped to look at the stadium and you are right WKU has a really nice stadium. Also like the feel to Troy's stadium.