Stadium Design Lessons

[Green to the Bone]

1. Much to admire in their design. End zone expansion potential beats adding more height as a first option.

2. I like the architectural style. Ours, adapted to match our very attractive existing athletic center, should be even better.

3. Do NOT let them sink half the seats below the ground, as is the case at Ford. I watched the flags flying happily in the breeze, but not a molecule of moving air reached the stands or the field. That makes it grossly and unnecessarily hot.

4. I don't like having both teams use the same tunnel. Adds an element of distraction to each team, especially at halftime of a close game.

5. A number of the oxford-shirt-and-tie and pastel shorts and cocktail dresses crowd of students were in skyboxes. Booo. I don't care if Daddy did pay for them.

6. I have every faith that when it comes both to stadium design and performance on the field, Dodge will beat Ford.

[SouthernMustang]

Good points and thank for the props..

As for the sunken ground design, that was done b/c of the wonderful restrictions imposed upon SMU by the Park Cities. We can thank them every game for our lack of wind and breeze to keep things cooler. I promise you every SMU and opposing team player writes thank you cards to their Chamber of Commerce for the rules.

As for the boxes, you will want to build as many of those as you can, that is how you will make the most money. Corporate sponsorships are $$$$. I think it's a rareity at schools where most fans are behind the glass where they can't make any noise. Unfortunately, SMU is one of those rarities. But I guess that keeps SMU more able to field a "football team" every year. Maybe it's a problem for us b/c they don't want people to be able to see that they're at the SMU game? Anyway, you want those.

And I take offense, I was a tie wearing, khaki & topsider wearing fan... and I chose to sit outside while I was at SMU.

[foutsrouts]

1. Much to admire in their design. End zone expansion potential beats adding more height as a first option.

2. I like the architectural style. Ours, adapted to match our very attractive existing athletic center, should be even better.

3. Do NOT let them sink half the seats below the ground, as is the case at Ford. I watched the flags flying happily in the breeze, but not a molecule of moving air reached the stands or the field. That makes it grossly and unnecessarily hot.

4. I don't like having both teams use the same tunnel. Adds an element of distraction to each team, especially at halftime of a close game.

5. A number of the oxford-shirt-and-tie and pastel shorts and cocktail dresses crowd of students were in skyboxes. Booo. I don't care if Daddy did pay for them.

6. I have every faith that when it comes both to stadium design and performance on the field, Dodge will beat Ford.

We're a HEMI and they're a Pinto. That's the future!

[GreenN'walinsVet]

Good points and thank for the props..

As for the sunken ground design, that was done b/c of the wonderful restrictions imposed upon SMU by the Park Cities. We can thank them every game for our lack of wind and breeze to keep things cooler. I promise you every SMU and opposing team player writes thank you cards to their Chamber of Commerce for the rules.

As for the boxes, you will want to build as many of those as you can, that is how you will make the most money. Corporate sponsorships are $$$$. I think it's a rareity at schools where most fans are behind the glass where they can't make any noise. Unfortunately, SMU is one of those rarities. But I guess that keeps SMU more able to field a "football team" every year. Maybe it's a problem for us b/c they don't want people to be able to see that they're at the SMU game? Anyway, you want those.

And I take offense, I was a tie wearing, khaki & topsider wearing fan... and I chose to sit outside while I was at SMU.

If you dont mind me asking, but what are those rules and regs. as to this situation

[SouthernMustang]

If you dont mind me asking, but what are those rules and regs. as to this situation

I don't know the exact reg's. But I know it had to do with noise and with building height limits. Same reason that a lot of SMU's buildings, the steps go up to the 2nd floor.. so that way they can call the 1st floor a "basement." If you want to know exactly, I'll do a little searching. I remember there being articles about SMU's stadium b/c of that stuff on Ponyfans in the last year or so.

[the real grad88]

I didn't get to go to the game, just listened on the radio. It's amazing how much larger the crowd sounds in a stadium in which the seating is close to the field. With Fouts, the sound goes straight up and never has a chance to "gather" on the field...makes me not even want to yell. Just thank your lucky stars that you had some alums with deep pockets to make it happen so effortlessly. We have some alums with deep pockets, just not enough who are interested in the football program. Still waiting on our TBoone Pickens.

[UNTflyer]

One note on the lack of air circulation...

In September, it may suck to sit in the heat. It's probably better in October and November when those stiff breezes come from the north on a 35 degree night.

[PlummMeanGreen]

I didn't get to go to the game, just listened on the radio. It's amazing how much larger the crowd sounds in a stadium in which the seating is close to the field. With Fouts, the sound goes straight up and never has a chance to "gather" on the field...makes me not even want to yell. Just thank your lucky stars that you had some alums with deep pockets to make it happen so effortlessly. We have some alums with deep pockets, just not enough who are interested in the football program. Still waiting on our TBoone Pickens.

Yeppers, we have some money alums, but they (apparently) just did not get involved with Mean Green football while they were students.

The best part of all this is that we still only need "ONE" person (or corporation) to step forward and isn't that what most are betting on?

Edited September 10, 2007 by PlummMeanGreen

[FirefightnRick]

The best part about Ford and it's seating situation is that they placed ALL of it's fans down on the field and NOT up and above the corporate suites. There is ZERO reason for the average fan/season ticket holder to sit up and out away from the game as the current proposed North Texas stadium design is right now.

HORRIBLE!

Rick

[Green to the Bone]

Good points and thank for the props..

As for the sunken ground design, that was done b/c of the wonderful restrictions imposed upon SMU by the Park Cities. We can thank them every game for our lack of wind and breeze to keep things cooler. I promise you every SMU and opposing team player writes thank you cards to their Chamber of Commerce for the rules.

As for the boxes, you will want to build as many of those as you can, that is how you will make the most money. Corporate sponsorships are $$$$. I think it's a rareity at schools where most fans are behind the glass where they can't make any noise. Unfortunately, SMU is one of those rarities. But I guess that keeps SMU more able to field a "football team" every year. Maybe it's a problem for us b/c they don't want people to be able to see that they're at the SMU game? Anyway, you want those.

And I take offense, I was a tie wearing, khaki & topsider wearing fan... and I chose to sit outside while I was at SMU.

Thanks for filling us in. You have an outstanding stadium. Your experience with this is valuable, since we haven't built a stadium since William McKinley was president, I think.

No offense intended, by the way. Just a gentle jab. Every university has its own culture.

As for air circulation, you're correct, UNTflyer -- a sunken field and seats would block winter winds. In Texas, however, there are far more dangerously hot football days than ice-cold ones. It's the hot ones that pose a health hazard to players.

A well-done design can take advantage of the site, positioning, sun, and knowledge of prevailing wind patterns to optimize for hot and cold conditions.

And Rick, you're right, too -- put the boxes on top. If people want to spend their money seeing the game from behind glass in the stratosphere, let 'em, but don't create a regular-guy underclass of ticketholders who have an even worse view.

[Dodge2007]

UNT should be so lucky to have such a horrible stadium as Ford Field. In only our dreams, will a stadium of that quality be built in the MG Village.

[PlummMeanGreen]

UNT should be so lucky to have such a horrible stadium as Ford Field. In only our dreams, will a stadium of that quality be built in the MG Village.

Never say never...

After all, I'd bet SMU would trade Moody for the Super Pit in a New York minute (plus they'd need to ante-up about 40 million additional dollars to boot).

[Green to the Bone]

UNT should be so lucky to have such a horrible stadium as Ford Field. In only our dreams, will a stadium of that quality be built in the MG Village.

I'm curious -- why did you call Ford horrible (if you think you're echoing the consensus, you misread; nobody here has done anything but praise it, overall), and why do you think it's impossible for UNT to build one like it?

[PlummMeanGreen]

I'm curious -- why did you call Ford horrible (if you think you're echoing the consensus, you misread; nobody here has done anything but praise it, overall), and why do you think it's impossible for UNT to build one like it?

In a perfect Mean Green World we would get 2 donors (or any corporate combinations) to put up $40 million and then UNT fund-raisers would raise an additional $20 million from other sources giving us the $60 million I believe we are going to really need to build the stadium we need for our particular future (which includes being the future 2'nd largest university in Texas). Again, I did say a "perfect" Mean Green World.

[SouthernMustang]

Thanks for filling us in. You have an outstanding stadium. Your experience with this is valuable, since we haven't built a stadium since William McKinley was president, I think.

No offense intended, by the way. Just a gentle jab. Every university has its own culture.

As for air circulation, you're correct, UNTflyer -- a sunken field and seats would block winter winds. In Texas, however, there are far more dangerously hot football days than ice-cold ones. It's the hot ones that pose a health hazard to players.

A well-done design can take advantage of the site, positioning, sun, and knowledge of prevailing wind patterns to optimize for hot and cold conditions.

And Rick, you're right, too -- put the boxes on top. If people want to spend their money seeing the game from behind glass in the stratosphere, let 'em, but don't create a regular-guy underclass of ticketholders who have an even worse view.

Sorry, I forgot to put a note I was kidding. No offense taken on the jab. It may be on another thread, but the reason the field is sunk is b/c of Highland Park/University Park restrictions that said how tall it could be and it had to be sunk in for possible noise violations against HP codes.

[NTEdgex2]

Seatbacks like in Ford are a must!

GMG!

[STE]

UNT should be so lucky to have such a horrible stadium as Ford Field. In only our dreams, will a stadium of that quality be built in the MG Village.

You are so correct. Their stadium is great. If we can build something close to that level of quality/design I will be ecstatic.

[oldschoollefty]

Seatbacks like in Ford are a must!

GMG!

True, but I frankly didn't know there were seat backs at all. I was too busy standing.

[UNTflyer]

UNT should be so lucky to have such a horrible stadium as Ford Field. In only our dreams, will a stadium of that quality be built in the MG Village.

Uhh, we ARE building a new stadium at the Village, and it will be a good one.

[kj86]

I think Ford is pretty good. One complaint though...the pitch/angle of the seating is not steep enough. Our seats were on the top row of the lower bowl. I could see the heads of everyone on every row in front of me, all the way to the bottom.

[LongJim]

Like Ford very much. Something similar to this place would be great for UNT. Would have liked the walkway between upper and lower sections to be a bit wider, but have no complaints otherwise. That place can get loud easily, as the turnout showed. I would also like to see a bit steeper pitch to the seating, but it's a very good place to see a game.

[Green Lantern]

I think Ford is pretty good. One complaint though...the pitch/angle of the seating is not steep enough. Our seats were on the top row of the lower bowl. I could see the heads of everyone on every row in front of me, all the way to the bottom.

That was my one and only minor complaint about Ford Staduim. I loved being so close to the field (I tried to imagine how cool it would be to have a home crowd that close to the action) but if the people in front of you stand up, you are forced to stand up as well. This could even pertain to people 2 rows in front of you. I'm not bitching about standing (I love to stand and watch games) but it always causes problems at games. Some fans want to sit the entire game and sometimes make it confrontational regarding the sitting/standing situation.

We had minor issues with the people behind us wanting us to sit down all game, but we couldn't because two people 2 rows down kept standing up and watching the game through binoculars, blocking our view (like that was f'n necessary at Ford). It forced us to stand up all game just to watch the action and caused arguments between us and the people behind us.

Sorry for the long winded story...My point was really just to agree with kj86 in that the new NT stadium should take note of small things like pitch/angle of the stadium seating.

All in all, Ford is an awesome venue and great place to watch a game.

[yyz28]

Ford is a great place to watch a ballgame. Just duplicate it in our architecture style, and KEEP THE SEATBACKS!!!

...and a little steeper pitch would be nice too...

[UNT Mean Green]

Ford is a great place to watch a game, is practical, and is very nice looking.

It would be awesome if we could build close to the exact same stadium with a few exceptions:

1) 2 Tunnels for teams entering/leaving the field.

2) a Wider concourse between the lower & upper level.

3) steeper pitch, making it easier to see above the people sitting below.

4) Green chairback seats all on the home side.

5) instead of the red brick, build the exterior exactly the same as the Athletic Center.

[greenjoe]

Put wheels on Ford Field (he he) and bring it up here. I really liked it. I agree, the pitch needs to be steeper and one other very small complaint. The doors in the luxury suites need to be staggered. That is, the sun needs to be blocked so it doesn't shine in one door and through another and then through the glass. In the first quarter, the sun coming through the glass was worse than the sun before it set behind the press box.

I enjoyed the day at SMU. The people were nice and again, I really liked Ford Field.