Bob Ford Field Construction Update; UAlbany

[Dane96]

Sigh...with all this conference shifting these updates bring welcome respite for UA fans. Aside from the request for $12 million to increase capacity ASAP, our new President publicly came out with a request for "our 20,000 seat stadium". He wants expansion...he wants us to keep pace with the Jones'. Let's see if he delivers.

Construction is well on-schedule for the Home Opener!

The South Tower (elevator)-- this has room to connect to a second set of future luxury suites / VIP Club.

17632

Front side of South Tower, VIP Suites, and upper deck (to be installed)

17633

Rear side of Press Box, VIP Suites, VIP / Club Room (the out-crop feature at the middle right of press area, and concessions bathroom back (bottom)

17634

Stairway entrance framing near South Tower. Bottom of South Tower is Ticket Sales

17635

Current North Side Ticket Booth (could be moved with expansion) and North Gate Entrance (The Steel Beam attached to the Ticket Booth)

17636

[Dane96]

North Tower Upgraded Lighting (we added a higher-level of lighting Post Vendor Selection) for higher level TV games

17637

North East Side- Shows retaining wall for the grassy berm (student section) and will have the North East Light Tower installed. Shows lower deck of West Side (Home)
17638

[MplsBison]

The South Tower (elevator)-- this has room to connect to a second set of future luxury suites / VIP Club.

17632

Front side of South Tower, VIP Suites, and upper deck (to be installed)

17633


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Trellick_Tower2.jpg/200px-Trellick_Tower2.jpg

[Dane96]

Mo-Ron!

[MplsBison]

No, I'm evidently correct. The style is Brutalist if there ever was a stadium that fit such a scheme.

Don't be ashamed of what you've got.

[danefan]

Starting to put some of the detailed trim up. The field is also being prepped for turf.

http://www.workzonecam.com/archives/5ec979d27cea7a9c7591f807724a8218/2013/04/05/0700.jpg

[Gringer1]

It looks nice. I'm looking forward to seeing how it comes out. I would really like to see something added on the other side to balance things out though.

[CFBfan]

Hey Dane is there anyway you can bury Mpls under your new turf? they still haven't found Hoffa and it would be a great favor to all on this board!!

[M Ruler]

Hey Dane is there anyway you can bury Mpls under your new turf? they still haven't found Hoffa and it would be a great favor to all on this board!!

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL....LMFAO

[danefan]

It looks nice. I'm looking forward to seeing how it comes out. I would really like to see something added on the other side to balance things out though.

There will be eventually. This season will have temp bleachers. 2500

[Gringer1]

Just don't let it turn into the Georgetown version of temporary...

[CFBfan]

Just don't let it turn into the Georgetown version of temporary...

True! BUT while GU's Admin should be ashamed the small temporary "stadium" fills up for most games and at least for me is a better experience than sitting in Holy Crosses nice but mostly empty metal seated stadium or sitting in Fordhams looking across the field at the baseball field. NO SOUR GRAPES here, GU is truly sad but other nice/nicer stadiums don't automaticly mean better game day experience.
A full house at Lafayette, especialy at night is a pretty terrific experience.....

[DFW HOYA]

Just don't let it turn into the Georgetown version of temporary...

2,757 days since construction was halted. Just a temporary delay...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5aDKqsf1RVE/SpSMgdAzrwI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/yTpXuof1UQU/s400/msf5.jpg

[danefan]

Just don't let it turn into the Georgetown version of temporary...

Our new President is on record stating he wants a 20,000 seat stadium. The stadium was designed to be modularly (read extrememly easily) expandable to 24,000 in phases. This was the original concept design:

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/368/912/36891288_640.jpg

[MplsBison]

Well it's obvious why that design was scrapped....no elevator tower.

JUST KIDDING GUYS!!! Jeez......

New stadium is looking good!

[danefan]

Well it's obvious why that design was scrapped....no elevator tower.

JUST KIDDING GUYS!!! Jeez......

New stadium is looking good!

The elevator tower is there actually - the 4th floor on the tower is as well so the tower is the same height.....again - that's why the tower was build one level higher than the current press box.

[IBleedYellow]

Our new President is on record stating he wants a 20,000 seat stadium. The stadium was designed to be modularly (read extrememly easily) expandable to 24,000 in phases. This was the original concept design:

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/368/912/36891288_640.jpg

If you could get that, this would be a very nice and rocking stadium.

Nexus 4

[BluBengal07]

Our new President is on record stating he wants a 20,000 seat stadium. The stadium was designed to be modularly (read extrememly easily) expandable to 24,000 in phases. This was the original concept design:

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/368/912/36891288_640.jpg

That would be a nice looking stadium at the conclusion. very balanced.
are the fields (and bubble dome) around the stadium already there or is that apart of the package?

[danefan]

That would be a nice looking stadium at the conclusion. very balanced.
are the fields (and bubble dome) around the stadium already there or is that apart of the package?

The bubble is there as are the two fields next to it. The bubble needs updating and there is a plan out there for an indoor facility to replace it.

The two soccer practice fields will be there as part of the current stadium phase.

[danefan]

http://www.workzonecam.com/archives/f03bf0be8cf4e445ac116db07c9a5fb5/2013/05/01/1530.jpg

Turf is going down and they are prepping the endzone berm for sod to be laid.

The upper deck won't go in until they get everything up into the press box that needs to be craned in.

[EmeryZach]

As a UMass fan I am jealous of that 24,000 seat design. That's exactly what UMass needs. Looks nice.

[danefan]

Turf is almsot all down. Looking forward to the graphics.http://www.workzonecam.com/archives/faad055f75370333c75c30ba315718f7/2013/05/06/1330.jpg

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Lookin' good Albany.xthumbsupx

[IBleedYellow]

Not bad, now just get that other totally empty side filled xpopcornx

[WWII]

EmZach, By the time the 24.000th seat goes in, I'll be long gone. It only took 40 years to get to 8,000.

[dgreco]

it is looking great.

[Dane96]

Great news at Albany:

3 of the 4 luxury suites have been sold for 5 year leases at 150k per box (for the five year term). The 4th box is likely held for the group who will win the naming rights. Naming rights should be at least 500k-1m per year.

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/blog/2013/06/ualbany-tees-up-bid-naming-rights-for.html

[MplsBison]

Is there much visible progress since a month ago?

[Dane96]

Yes. I can't post from work though.

[UAalum72]

Sod is down on the north berm, glass is in the suite/pressbox windows, handrails installed in the lower level seating
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374976_521130554613040_1981960637_n.jpg

More pictures on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.416046725121424.93907.113363358723097&type=3#!/media/set/?set=a.416046725121424.93907.113363358723097&type=3

Webcam at http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=205416910&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=15800&DB_LANG=C&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=

[danefan]

Frame went up for the upper deck today. Yes, they're worked all weekend.


Nice touch with a purple powder coat.


http://imageshack.us/a/img59/331/imag2392.jpg

[Bogus Megapardus]

xthumbsupxxthumbsupx

A richly deserved facility for UAlbany and local Capital District fans. It's been a long time (too long) coming. All those high school prospects (and their parents) from Niskayuna and Scotia and Clifton Park now have a place that can convince them that they needn't look elsewhere.

I take it that there's been a resolution to the "elevator crisis?"

[danefan]

xthumbsupxxthumbsupx

A richly deserved facility for UAlbany and local Capital District fans. It's been a long time (too long) coming. All those high school prospects (and their parents) from Niskayuna and Scotia and Clifton Park now have a place that can convince them that they needn't look elsewhere.

I take it that there's been a resolution to the "elevator crisis?"

If by elevator crisis, you mean Mplsbison's obsession with the concept of designed for modular expansion, then yes it has been settled. The elevator tower has an additional floor to be used when the next level goes on the press box.

[TheRevSFA]

that looks awesome. Hope we get to travel up and play there.

[Tribe4SF]

xthumbsupxxthumbsupx

A richly deserved facility for UAlbany and local Capital District fans. It's been a long time (too long) coming. All those high school prospects (and their parents) from Niskayuna and Scotia and Clifton Park now have a place that can convince them that they needn't look elsewhere.



Moved to Clifton Park a month after graduating from high school in Pittsburgh. Worked out with the Niskayuna team before heading for W&M. Shenendehowa didn't have football yet.

[MplsBison]

If by elevator crisis, you mean Mplsbison's obsession with the concept of designed for modular expansion, then yes it has been settled. The elevator tower has an additional floor to be used when the next level goes on the press box.

That had nothing to do with it and you it know darn well.

In other words, if they had simply incorporated the elevator tower into the main structure...you'd never had heard peep from me. But nope, it had to be standing off to the side.


Otherwise, the project really is looking great! Nice pictures!

Small question: will the field be visible from the concourse via open space between the main grandstands? Or will stairwells up to the upper grandstand block that view?

[danefan]

Small question: will the field be visible from the concourse via open space between the main grandstands? Or will stairwells up to the upper grandstand block that view?

Should be open. Stairs will actually go from the upper deck backwards towards the concenssions.

See the design drawing from the front:

http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/13/41/11/3019369/3/628x471.jpg

[Bogus Megapardus]

Moved to Clifton Park a month after graduating from high school in Pittsburgh. Worked out with the Niskayuna team before heading for W&M. Shenendehowa didn't have football yet.

Just make a left down at Balltown Road, go over the Rexford bridge and past the orchards and another couple miles, right? My cousin played for Shenendehowa and another cousin played for Bishop Gibbons (which used to have quite a team back in the day).

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Looks really nice! Are there going to be any other events held at the stadium? HS playoffs, concerts, etc?

[UAalum72]

Looks really nice! Are there going to be any other events held at the stadium? HS playoffs, concerts, etc?

Beside our own soccer teams, it's been specifically stated that it will be used for the community (in contrast to Rensselaer, which said its stadium will be only be used by themselves (http://blog.timesunion.com/mcguire/rpi-shuts-door-on-its-region/12921/)).
"The way UAlbany athletic director Lee McElroy made it sound, there would be little need for negotiation about hosting Section II Super Bowls.“We would say yes right away,” the athletic director said. “We would like to make it as much as a community venue as possible.”

We shouldn't have to go to Kingston for high school playoff games any more.

Concerts are possible, but they'd better prepare for complaints from the surrounding residents.

The renovation of the Track & Field stadium will bring local track meets to the campus too.

[MplsBison]

Should be open. Stairs will actually go from the upper deck backwards towards the concenssions.

See the design drawing from the front:

Ah, thank you! Looks good.

[danefan]

Upper deck is coming along nicely. Scoreboard is also going up (52'+ high when completed). Landscaping and hardscaping also started.

http://media.bizj.us/view/img/574901/ualbany-football*600.jpg

http://www.workzonecam.com/archives/6718bb3533ee631637a0b4271f22d664/2013/06/21/0900.jpg

[danefan]

Also, all four luxury suites have been sold for $150k each. Naming rights for the grass berm is likely to be sold for $120-150k as well and naming rights go out to bid soon.


Even the grass (whether it's fake or real) at the University at Albany's (http://www.bizjournals.com/profiles/company/us/ny/albany/university_at_albany/212253) new football stadium will be backed by sponsorships and big donors.
UAlbany expects to soon begin bidding naming rights for its $18 million stadium (http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/blog/2013/06/ualbany-tees-up-bid-naming-rights-for.html), which is on track to be ready before the football team's Sept. 14 home opener against Rhode Island.

In addition, UAlbany is selling four luxury suites. All are sold—each at $150,000 for a five-year contract.
One suite buyer is CHA, the largest engineering firm in the Capital Region (and also a company working on the stadium project). The other is the university's alumni association, according to athletics director Lee McElroy (http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/blog/2013/06/albany/search/results?q=Lee%20McElroy).

During a tour of the construction on June 19, McElroy declined to name the other two suite holders. He has generally described them as a financial institution and a nonprofit.

The stadium suites have 10 seats each, a mix of plush leather high-backs and bar stools. A five-year lease costs $150,000, including catering, a mini-fridge and TV.

About that grass: UAlbany is a little more than halfway toward its $1 million fundraising goal to name the (artificial turf) playing field after head coach Bob Ford (http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/blog/2013/06/albany/search/results?q=Bob%20Ford). Ford, age 75, will be coaching his 44th season at UAlbany—racking up more wins than any other active Division I coach (http://www.bizjournals.com/cms/www.bizjournals.com/albany/print-edition/2012/10/05/10-minutes-with-bob-ford.html).
The stadium also features a grassy berm behind one end zone. McElroy tells me UAlbany will sell a five-year corporate sponsorship for that, aiming to take in between $125,000 to $150,000.

The berm will be named the Lee McElroy (http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/blog/2013/06/albany/search/results?q=Lee%20McElroy) Family Berm Area.

The scoreboard, at the opposite end of the field, will have HD video and eight advertising panels, the first of which was being hoisted into place on Wednesday.

[danefan]

Good shot of the player's ramp:

http://media.bizj.us/view/img/574901/ualbany-football*600.jpg

[UNDColorado]

This looks like it is going to be a nice stadium, congrats!

[MplsBison]

Good shot of the player's ramp:



There's no endzone facility with this project, right? Just curious to where the ramp ultimately leads.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

It looks great! I can't wait to see it. I'm happy for you guys but it makes me a little bit sad.....

[Hammerhead]

I thought the press box was going to loom over the seats until I saw this picture with the chairs in the upper deck. :)

The different colors in the end zones are a nice touch as most fields have the same color at each end.


Upper deck is coming along nicely.

[danefan]

There's no endzone facility with this project, right? Just curious to where the ramp ultimately leads.

Ramp leads up through the berm seating and out to the lockerrooms which are in an adjacent building right now.

The idea is a "Clemson" type entrance to the stadium.

[MplsBison]

Ramp leads up through the berm seating and out to the lockerrooms which are in an adjacent building right now.

The idea is a "Clemson" type entrance to the stadium.

No I get that. I was ultimately curious if there was going to be an endzone facility included in this project or perhaps down the road a few years?

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Lookin' good Albany.xthumbsupx

[citdog]

The idea is a "Clemson" type entrance to the stadium.


the president and first lady of klempsin univ lead the tigers onto the field


http://www.gulfcoastfishingconnection.com/forums/attachments/forum42/18061d1310596352-redneck-riding-mower-04.jpg

[danefan]

No I get that. I was ultimately curious if there was going to be an endzone facility included in this project or perhaps down the road a few years?

Conceptual plans a do call for an endzone facility at the south end zone opposite the ramp. The scoreboard would be mounted on the building.

[slycat]

Very nice looking. I like the "Albany" in the seats. Are there going to be seats on the visitor side? Looks like the area is cleared and foundation in place.

[UAalum72]

Very nice looking. I like the "Albany" in the seats. Are there going to be seats on the visitor side? Looks like the area is cleared and foundation in place.For the first year (at least) there will be temporary bleachers on the visitors' side, probably about 2,000.
17822

Edit: the AD said in an interview today that the visitors' side will be 3,000

[Go...gate]

Nice looking ballpark!

[Bogus Megapardus]

danefan - where will the TV/Video cameras be located? Pointed towards the home side I hope?

[Bogus Megapardus]

the president and first lady of klempsin univ lead the tigers onto the field


I just spent the better part of today on my John Deere - time to harvest the timothy grass and bale the first-cut hay here in the northeast. That "thing" he's riding is an abomination and an insult to real Ag. That guy wouldn't know a harrow from his a-hole. :(

[danefan]

danefan - where will the TV/Video cameras be located? Pointed towards the home side I hope?

There are spots in the plans for multiple cameras on the home side. I suspect its just a matter of electronics location, etc..

[grayghost06]

Good looking stadium. We're in much the same boat in that our beautiful new side is not what viewers see on TV.

[Dane96]

There are three camera decks located in the upper deck of bleachers at the 10, 50, 10 yard lines, respectively. We own a few camera cranes, so I suspect they may put one up behind the visiting bleachers and / or scoreboard as well. Just a guess.

The camera decks look to be near finished (two of them); they went up yesterday.

[Gater]

When Colgate built its big set of stands they did it on what had been the visitor's side. The home side (complete with press box and camera positions) became the visitor's side. Colgate only gets about 5,000 per game but the nice part of the stadium is the backdrop for games on TV so it doesn't look too bad. I have no doubt Colgate lucked into this--cameras are only there because they switched sides. Albany's beautiful new venue would look like a 20,000 seat stadium shot from the visitor's side. I never understand why schools at the FCS level don't take that into account when filming games. The home bleachers as the backdrop make the games look much bigger than they are. The visitor's bleachers as a backdrop make games look much smaller than they are.

[Bogus Megapardus]

There are three camera decks located in the upper deck of bleachers at the 10, 50, 10 yard lines, respectively. We own a few camera cranes, so I suspect they may put one up behind the visiting bleachers and / or scoreboard as well. Just a guess.

The camera decks look to be near finished (two of them); they went up yesterday.

Likely that they'll use a lift in one or both end zones as well, for FGs and replays.

[CFBfan]

Likely that they'll use a lift in one or both end zones as well, for FGs and replays.

but will the access for other teams be as open as GU's???!

[CFBfan]

When Colgate built its big set of stands they did it on what had been the visitor's side. The home side (complete with press box and camera positions) became the visitor's side. Colgate only gets about 5,000 per game but the nice part of the stadium is the backdrop for games on TV so it doesn't look too bad. I have no doubt Colgate lucked into this--cameras are only there because they switched sides. Albany's beautiful new venue would look like a 20,000 seat stadium shot from the visitor's side. I never understand why schools at the FCS level don't take that into account when filming games. The home bleachers as the backdrop make the games look much bigger than they are. The visitor's bleachers as a backdrop make games look much smaller than they are.

That's a very good point Gater

[danefan]

That's a very good point Gater



Generally its about angles and location of electronics/wiring.

[Gater]

Sure. My only point is the best angles to shoot a stadium are rarely on top of the home side press box and this is where nearly every team shoots their games from. It's logical from a production standpoint-- the announcers are there, the production truck is probably close and it's the way it's always been done. It's just not going to be the best way to show a stadium and the full, larger home stands.

[PAllen]

Sure. My only point is the best angles to shoot a stadium are rarely on top of the home side press box and this is where nearly every team shoots their games from. It's logical from a production standpoint-- the announcers are there, the production truck is probably close and it's the way it's always been done. It's just not going to be the best way to show a stadium and the full, larger home stands.

Slightly off topic, but I remember going to a Lehigh/Rider wrestling match at Rider during my time at LU. It was televised, and the arena was only about a third full, but they forced us to all sit in the center of the section opposite the TV camera. That way, on TV the place looked packed.

[danefan]

Scoreboard is just about finished being installed.

http://imageshack.us/a/img580/4795/iadh.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img7/8564/kjck.jpg

The main video board is 38 x 21.5 making it the 8th largest in FCS according to Wiki.

There are also two smaller video boards on the bottom sides (6' x 11') that will be used for player stats, targeted ads, etc...

The white sections are placeholders for ads and I belive the horribly plain top white section with the UAlbany logo will be replaced when the naming rights are sold (currently out to bid).

[CFBfan]

looks fantastic!

[Sycamore51]

Lucky SOB's! I'd love to have that home side and a 5k visitors side at Indiana St. We are 20 years past new for new digs

[danefan]

The webcam has been down for a few days due to technical issues. They did post a video walking tour of the unfinished pressbox if anyone is interested.

http://www.ualbanysports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&catid=60611&id=2727805

Thanks to UAlumn72 for taking some pictures for us.

Temporary bleachers are up on the visitors side.
http://imageshack.us/a/img826/3825/j1fo.jpg
They run from the 5yd to 5yd line and have 15 rows. Approx. 2200 seats. How long they'll be there is unknown. We had a similar (smaller) set on our old field that stayed there for 40 years. :thumbdown:

They've also installed extra lights on top of the press box called "broadcast lights" to be used to get the lighting up to HD quality for TV broadcasts.
http://imageshack.us/a/img11/7591/0kwc.jpg

[CFBfan]

HA! Georgetown should compare their "temporary" bleachers to yours!!!

[DFW HOYA]

HA! Georgetown should compare their "temporary" bleachers to yours!!!

Once Albany is built, are there any other schools with pending stadium projects?

[aceinthehole]

Thanks to UAlumn72 for taking some pictures for us.

Temporary bleachers are up on the visitors side.
http://imageshack.us/a/img826/3825/j1fo.jpg
They run from the 5yd to 5yd line and have 15 rows. Approx. 2200 seats. How long they'll be there is unknown. We had a similar (smaller) set on our old field that stayed there for 40 years. :thumbdown:

Looks exactly like the new East grandstand at Arute Field - basically the same capacity. Of course ours are permanent :( but we do have permanent restrooms facilities underneath so I guess that's nice.

Wish I could make it up there for the CCSU game, it looks very similar to the setup and scale of LaValle, which was very impressive when I was there last season. Good luck Danes in the CAA, just hope Central can steal one from you this year and next ;)

[BestDaneSinceHamlet]

As a guy who was at the school when we were division III and IS a huge football fan and never went..this is pretty exciting. I'm going to definitely try to make it back from SoCal to check out a game.

So..now..who wants to buy naming rights?

[Skyhawk71]

Once Albany is built, are there any other schools with pending stadium projects?

Tennessee-Martin 2014, Austin Peay 2015- and several SEC beat downs for both over the next three years as part of the project

[Tribe4SF]

Once Albany is built, are there any other schools with pending stadium projects?

Timing is uncertain, but a $35 million renovation of Zable Stadium is in the works. Expansion to about 15,500, with new press boxes on both sides, and luxury box concourse on home side. Earliest start could be at the end of this season, with two years to complete.

[danefan]

Once Albany is built, are there any other schools with pending stadium projects?

According to our AD, Phase II for Albany may go into design immediately at the end of this season. Prob won't build until 2015 at the earliest though.

[UNHWildcat18]

I still Don't understand how after almost a DECADE of success, being the only D1 school in the state since dartmouth is private and ivy, that UNH has not been able to get the funds to build a stadium. Being a current student, we have the highest in state tuition in the country, and even though we have less money than NY, we still are the single flagship university..But on that Note UAalum, everything is looking great! can't wait to play you guys this year!

[kdinva]

Expansion to about 15,500, with new press boxes on both sides,.

I presume the new press boxes will be higher up in the air than current.......;)

[Dane96]

NM

[Dane96]

I still Don't understand how after almost a DECADE of success, being the only D1 school in the state since dartmouth is private and ivy, that UNH has not been able to get the funds to build a stadium. Being a current student, we have the highest in state tuition in the country, and even though we have less money than NY, we still are the single flagship university..But on that Note UAalum, everything is looking great! can't wait to play you guys this year!

Vermont has UNH beat for highest in-state total cost. By a landslide. It costs almost 30k for in-state at UVM with room and board, books, etc. included.

Your point still remains.

[ccd494]

I still Don't understand how after almost a DECADE of success, being the only D1 school in the state since dartmouth is private and ivy, that UNH has not been able to get the funds to build a stadium. Being a current student, we have the highest in state tuition in the country, and even though we have less money than NY, we still are the single flagship university..But on that Note UAalum, everything is looking great! can't wait to play you guys this year!

New Hampshire has no sales tax and no income tax. UNH relies on tuition more than, say, Maine or Massachusetts.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

New Hampshire has no sales tax and no income tax. UNH relies on tuition more than, say, Maine or Massachusetts.

Doesn't UNH and VT have high out of state numbers? When I was in HS (PA), VT drew quite a bit of interest from kids. Relatively speaking....

[danefan]

Updated picture as of today. Webcam has been down for two weeks so there is a lot of progress, including the visitors side temporary bleachers.

http://www.workzonecam.com/archives/c4a4c63d26296a291d0ab5ed73a97565/2013/08/01/1100.jpg

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

That looks REALLY nice!! I'm probably one of the few people that would speak highly of the Capital District. I've been up there a few times and love the area. This will be a tremendous asset!

[Mountaineer]

The purple upper deck with the ALBANY seats is sweet. Lookin' good Danes. xsalutex

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

I need to be put in touch with someone with a tailgate spot in that asphalt area behind the Away seats on or before Nov 15th...Can one of you Albany folks take care of that please?:D

[Bogus Megapardus]

Looks just about game ready.

[AppMan]

Timing is uncertain, but a $35 million renovation of Zable Stadium is in the works. Expansion to about 15,500, with new press boxes on both sides, and luxury box concourse on home side. Earliest start could be at the end of this season, with two years to complete.

Hope the plans include filling in those holes at the 50 yard lines. Never have been able to wrap my head around that design feature.

[Bogus Megapardus]

I'm probably one of the few people that would speak highly of the Capital District.

I was born and partially grew up there. I visit every summer and would live in that area were I given an unfettered choice to be anywhere in the US. As a kid, I knew about Union vs. RPI long before I learned about Lafayette/Lehigh (or Army/Navy or Harvard/Yale or anything else).

Go Albany!

[putter]

Great picture. If that doesn't get fans excited for Danes football, nothing will.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

I was born and partially grew up there. I visit every summer and would live in that area were I given an unfettered choice to be anywhere in the US. As a kid, I knew about Union vs. RPI long before I learned about Lafayette/Lehigh (or Army/Navy or Harvard/Yale or anything else).

Go Albany!

One of my good friends went to RPI as well. After graduation he settled in Menands so I spent quite a bit of time up there. The SPAC is one of my favorite venues to watch a concert. I've seen Phish and DMB there.

The Capital District is a terrific area given its proximity to the Adirondacks and Boston/NYC. If only they could spruce up the campus a little bit. I drove through it back in 2010 and it was still pretty Stalinesque....

[ursus arctos horribilis]

That's looking damn nice Danes.

[Bogus Megapardus]

SPAC

An unequaled experience.

[UNDColorado]

Looks very sharp, congrats!

[Great Dane in VA]

One of my good friends went to RPI as well. After graduation he settled in Menands so I spent quite a bit of time up there. The SPAC is one of my favorite venues to watch a concert. I've seen Phish and DMB there.

The Capital District is a terrific area given its proximity to the Adirondacks and Boston/NYC. If only they could spruce up the campus a little bit. I drove through it back in 2010 and it was still pretty Stalinesque....

There's not much you could do to make the campus less Eastern Block looking, but the real bitch is that the podium is one massive wind tunnel, not exactly what you want from October through April. Aside from the architecture and the weather the capital district was a blast, so jealous of the new facility.

[danefan]

https://www.informz.net/ualbany-fund/data/images/images_form/stadium-788px.jpg

[Great Dane in VA]

Thanks for that last pic danefan, using it as my wallpaper at work. Can't wait for their 11/2 trip to Richmond, going with my boss and the owner of the company, both Spider Alums.

[danefan]

Great shot by MSGDG on BigPurpleFans

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1186993_10100757020861002_420966967_n.jpg

[JMU2004]

looking good guys. Glad the CAA is adding you! The facilities at SBU and UA are finally giving the northern CAA some much needed shine.

[Fordham]

great shot!

[danefan]

http://media400.dropshots.com/photos/501913/20130821/b_225849.jpg

[TheDHC]

oooh broadcast HD lights.

[danefan]

oooh broadcast HD lights.

Bright. Can't wait to see it loaded with fans.

[Sly Fox]

You guys deserve to feel very proud. It does look sweet!

[kdinva]

http://media400.dropshots.com/photos/501913/20130821/b_225849.jpg


Am watching the American East Lax champ. on ESPN-U........nice looking facility, lots of "elbow room" for later, visitor's side looks to be about 4,500.....

[Dane96]

The home side is around 4000. The visitor's side about 2500-3000. The Berm has enough "capacity" for 2000+. We've fit close to 12,000 at Bob Ford Field @ Casey Stadium.

The facility was built to be expanded to 27,000, including an endzone facility for ops, locker rooms, sports therapy, etc, and a second tier of luxury boxes above the current luxury boxes and press area. They are doing the little things right as well, including a tailgating area behind the home side and a beer garden inside the stadium. This year they are adding food delivery to the highest priced ticket seats.

[Boogs]

What's Albany's debt to equity ratio for this?

[Dane96]

Well, considering that we are not a public company...why does it matter to you?!

Moving on.

[Boogs]

Well, considering that we are not a public company...why does it matter to you?!

Moving on.

Aren't you worried about the mass exodus from New York state due to the high "socialist" tax rates? Where is the school going to get the money to pay/finish/maintain for this when the folks with money are gone?

We don't need New York state together with Mississippi pulling the rest of the union down. Texas is the ideal model for running a balanced budget and providing incentives to innovate and work.

What New York state does, eventually affects the rest of us.

[Boogs]

Our new President is on record stating he wants a 20,000 seat stadium. The stadium was designed to be modularly (read extrememly easily) expandable to 24,000 in phases. This was the original concept design:

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/368/912/36891288_640.jpg

Why don't you cut to the chase and build a 100,000 seat stadium so you can be FBS?

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22429&stc=1

I know where this is going. You'll be in the CAA for 3 more years, and then you'll want to be in the FBS Mid-American Conference, and then eventually you'll want to be the most northern school in the SEC.

You'll keep building (and accumulating debt) and the program will never be in the black.

[BucBisonAtLarge]

Congratulations, Danes! This feels like the right sized-facility for UA and represents a great milestone in your development of your athletic program.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Aren't you worried about the mass exodus from New York state due to the high "socialist" tax rates? Where is the school going to get the money to pay/finish/maintain for this when the folks with money are gone?

We don't need New York state together with Mississippi pulling the rest of the union down. Texas is the ideal model for running a balanced budget and providing incentives to innovate and work.

What New York state does, eventually affects the rest of us.
Boogs I appreciate your crazy **** to an extent but I'd sincerely suggest that you shut your political mouth on the FCSD boards. That move will get you stuck in an area you don't want to be in. I'll remove access to the FCSD board if it's something you feel compelled to do.