Future Memorial Stadium Expansion

[68Hoosier]

I couldn't find a topic on this so if there is one, please feel free to delete this one.

Wanted to start a thread on this as we are kicking off a $10M renovation.  I have not seen any pictures on a couple of articles on what the project will be doing.  Fan day experience, better locker rooms, new team entrance, better concession area.

Anyone in the know please share info and pictures.  I am happy to see them finally taking Football seriously.   (Next hopefully they state taking basketball serious again.) 

[CSP]

$10M seems weak, honestly.

[68Hoosier]

6 minutes ago, Certified Sunshine Pumper said:

$10M seems weak, honestly.

Not huge but that along with the past upgrades is a step in the right direction.  When you look back a short 10 years or so ago, we had a large Texas high school stadium.  

[CSP]

1 minute ago, 68Hoosier said:

Not huge but that along with the past upgrades is a step in the right direction.  When you look back a short 10 years or so ago, we had a large Texas high school stadium.  

I want a Camp Randall-looking addition to the east side. We need an immense amount of suites added. 

[Pagoda]

I think the source for this is an AI generated article that is not correct.  See below.  If this were true it would be reported in the IndyStar and HT.

Whenever we do suites, etc., it will cost something like $50-100M.

AI Article on Memorial Stadium Expansion

[68Hoosier]

1 minute ago, Pagoda said:

I think the source for this is an AI generated article that is not correct.  See below.  Whenever we do suites, etc., it will cost $50-100M.

 

AI Article on Memorial Stadium Expansion

Are you saying there is no projected slated or just that the article is wrong.

[68Hoosier]

IU football moves forward with significant Memorial Stadium renovations

 

From Indy Star

 

No mention of timing or funding amounts.

 

 

[Pagoda]

2 minutes ago, 68Hoosier said:

IU football moves forward with significant Memorial Stadium renovations

 

From Indy Star

 

No mention of timing or funding amounts.

 

 

This is the latest.  Something is in the works, but the scope, cost, and renderings are not complete or announced yet.  The $10M cited in the AI article is wrong/made up.

That said, I’m looking forward to whatever IU actually does!

[68Hoosier]

1 minute ago, Pagoda said:

This is the latest.  Something is in the works, but the scope, cost, and renderings are not complete or announced yet.  The $10M cited in the AI article is wrong/made up.

That said, I’m looking forward to whatever IU actually does!

Thanks Pagoda.   Good information.  Can wait to see what it will be as well.

[Dave from Dayton]

40 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

This is the latest.  Something is in the works, but the scope, cost, and renderings are not complete or announced yet.  The $10M cited in the AI article is wrong/made up.

That said, I’m looking forward to whatever IU actually does!

"...something more fan facing...' and "...fan experience...' is their goal.   Crystal balling it...seems that they are In the preliminary plan phase and do some better preliminary estimating ...figuring out concepts and seeing how much they can get for the capital they have accumulated.  Likely then predesign, design, and construction.  Will likely roll the preliminary plans out in public meetings. If they need more funding, with the predesign/conceptual drawings, they can set up meeting with potential donors and do the ask.  Also said something about upgrade the media areas.  Maybe even upgrade stuff outside of the stadium.  May even have to expand the trophy cabinets and a walk of fame...if you know what I mean.  

Maybe they will add beer taps for craft beers and increased capacity and numbers.  Also, expand and upgrade bathrooms.  

And no, they won't add a pen for a bison.  They tried that before.  IU does not need a mascot.  What they need is a new head basketball coach, maybe a new university president, make advanced education more affordable and accessible, and a win tonight.  

 

[CSP]

15 minutes ago, Dave from Dayton said:

"...something more fan facing...' and "...fan experience...' is their goal.   Crystal balling it...seems that they are In the preliminary plan phase and do some better preliminary estimating ...figuring out concepts and seeing how much they can get for the capital they have accumulated.  Likely then predesign, design, and construction.  Will likely roll the preliminary plans out in public meetings. If they need more funding, with the predesign/conceptual drawings, they can set up meeting with potential donors and do the ask.  Also said something about upgrade the media areas.  Maybe even upgrade stuff outside of the stadium.  May even have to expand the trophy cabinets and a walk of fame...if you know what I mean.  

Maybe they will add beer taps for craft beers and increased capacity and numbers.  Also, expand and upgrade bathrooms.  

And no, they won't add a pen for a bison.  They tried that before.  IU does not need a mascot.  What they need is a new head basketball coach, maybe a new university president, make advanced education more affordable and accessible, and a win tonight.  

 

Ummm no. try again 

[68Hoosier]

28 minutes ago, Dave from Dayton said:

"...something more fan facing...' and "...fan experience...' is their goal.   Crystal balling it...seems that they are In the preliminary plan phase and do some better preliminary estimating ...figuring out concepts and seeing how much they can get for the capital they have accumulated.  Likely then predesign, design, and construction.  Will likely roll the preliminary plans out in public meetings. If they need more funding, with the predesign/conceptual drawings, they can set up meeting with potential donors and do the ask.  Also said something about upgrade the media areas.  Maybe even upgrade stuff outside of the stadium.  May even have to expand the trophy cabinets and a walk of fame...if you know what I mean.  

Maybe they will add beer taps for craft beers and increased capacity and numbers.  Also, expand and upgrade bathrooms.  

And no, they won't add a pen for a bison.  They tried that before.  IU does not need a mascot.  What they need is a new head basketball coach, maybe a new university president, make advanced education more affordable and accessible, and a win tonight.  

 

Let's keep the president please.  She is a big football fan and is pushing to build the program.  Only wish she could push the basketball program a little more.

[Gahoosierfan]

I have been trying to watch for any news on plans for Memorial Stadium. Haven't found much. Dolson seems to be keeping it close to the vest.

[Jeff Flabjohns]

Updating the press-box and adding suites seems like the main thing they’re interested in for now

[Pagoda]

I know they’re working on it.  I bet Scott has a master plan for Memorial Stadium he shares with mega donors for fundraising.

However, nothing has been publicly released.  As others have said, suites and/or premium seating is likely part of it.  And definitely a new press box.

My personal guess is a small capacity increase is part of it, but not much.  Our fan base is still on the smaller side and over the next 10+ years the home viewing experience is going to continue to get better (VR, better cameras/angles, and stuff like that) which will reduce interest in attending stuff in person.  This seems to be a long term trend for almost all sports venues.

Overall, I’m excited for some renderings to be released.  In the meantime, the current Memorial Stadium looks pretty good, which is nice.

[Napleshoosier]

On 12/20/2024 at 2:16 PM, 68Hoosier said:

Let's keep the president please.  She is a big football fan and is pushing to build the program.  Only wish she could push the basketball program a little more.

She’s the reason our sports programs are looking so well.  Awesome support. Always there even for road games.  After decades of those other idiots…what a breath of fresh air!  Love you Pam!  The best since John Ryan!

[Aaron]

2 hours ago, Napleshoosier said:

She’s the reason our sports programs are looking so well.  Awesome support. Always there even for road games.  After decades of those other idiots…what a breath of fresh air!  Love you Pam!  The best since John Ryan!

She is easily the best for sports in decades and the reason IU is thriving there across the board. Let's make sure, though, we separate this from her performance on the academic side, which has been full of controversy.

Whether you agree with her or not, her tenure in Bloomington has been far from smooth. If sports are your main thing of importance, then she absolutely deserves an A. If you care about the academic side as well, her legacy is much more complicated.

[Hoosierfan2017]

Pam’s legacy: 

 

To be honest, IU wasn’t an academic juggernaut before Pam took over. The acceptance rate was over 75%. That doesn’t mean IU didn’t have good programs, but no one was mistaking it for Harvard. Sports are the window through which the public views a university. A top football program (with the coming facility renovations, to stay on topic) will outweigh any academic controversies for the vast majority of people. If Coach Devries can turn things around too? May have to start Pam’s statue, or at least name a Mother Bears pizza after her. 

[Napleshoosier]

6 hours ago, Aaron said:

She is easily the best for sports in decades and the reason IU is thriving there across the board. Let's make sure, though, we separate this from her performance on the academic side, which has been full of controversy.

Whether you agree with her or not, her tenure in Bloomington has been far from smooth. If sports are your main thing of importance, then she absolutely deserves an A. If you care about the academic side as well, her legacy is much more complicated.

Remember many of us feel her legacy will be epic in solving decades of mismanagement of this University.  Thank you Pam!  Keep up the good work!

[Stuhoo]

7 hours ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Pam’s legacy: 

 

To be honest, IU wasn’t an academic juggernaut before Pam took over. The acceptance rate was over 75%. That doesn’t mean IU didn’t have good programs, but no one was mistaking it for Harvard. Sports are the window through which the public views a university. A top football program (with the coming facility renovations, to stay on topic) will outweigh any academic controversies for the vast majority of people. If Coach Devries can turn things around too? May have to start Pam’s statue, or at least name a Mother Bears pizza after her. 

University of Florida.

Acceptance rate 19%.

And Steve Spurrier was unquestionably the seed for the academic  turnaround. And Urban Meyer and Tebow cemented it… sent it from a top 100 university to a top 25 that takes students away from the ivies who want a full campus experience and think that UM is too cold.