[Fumblerooskies]

I talked to a number of folks in town who seem excited about the team this year...several who attended their first-even LU game last Saturday. The question becomes...where to put everyone.

I like Henry Gale's response in another thread...start by putting endzone bleachers in and place the band, there. That would open the entire side for students...especially ones not sporting Coastal colors.

We also may be to the point where we require student tickets...and...heaven forbid...place a limit on how many are handed out. The stipulation would be that any student tickets NOT picked up by Thursday at 5 PM would go on sale to the public starting Friday. Of course, students could probably pick up SRO tickets (for the hillside), as well.

The "Baptist side" is an easier problem, as there is already a limited number of tickets.

[BrysOn_G]

that's awesome to think of having so many people at a game, that there'd have to be a limit on student tickets.

i don't know if it's been mentioned, and i don't know if it's a ludicrous idea, but what about wiping out the opponent locker rooms, filling in the stadium all the way around, and placing the opponent locker room under the end zone seats? i don't know the history on that building. is it new? i guess if it was just built, tearing it down would be a bad idea. however, you gotta do what you gotta do.

LU athletics has taken it to the next level.

[Sly Fox]

There is a plan in place and limiting students at the game in any fashion is not going to happen.

[TDDance234]

I'd be willing to bet that they would put bleachers ON TOP of the opponent locker rooms to make room for more students before limiting the number of students allowed in Williams. For the first time in my years here, the student body is pumped about the football team--not a time to alienate them.

[PAmedic]

i don't know if it's been mentioned, and i don't know if it's a ludicrous idea, but what about wiping out the opponent locker rooms, filling in the stadium all the way around, and placing the opponent locker room under the end zone seats? i don't know the history on that building. is it new? i guess if it was just built, tearing it down would be a bad idea. however, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I think you're pretty close on that one- people that make those decisions have indicated that the old fieldhouse could concievably be removed and the end bowled in. I believe that structure was built right around the time the stadium opened (late 80's, early 90's) though I could be wrong.

It seems as though a top level/deck on the Baptist side may happen first, HOWEVER- no way they limit student tickets. EVER. (And I agree w/ that)

[PAmedic]

I'd be willing to bet that they would put bleachers ON TOP of the opponent locker rooms to make room for more students before limiting the number of students allowed in Williams. For the first time in my years here, the student body is pumped about the football team--not a time to alienate them.

I don't believe the structure could handle that- not sure about the strength of the truss-roof, but I'd doubt it (without substantial renovation)

A lot may hinge on when the wrestling team gets their own facility. With them out, you can really change it up.

[BrysOn_G]

out of curiosity, what happens when we start playing big name (and local) schools? do we even have a section for the opposing team's fans as it is? i know a few usually sit on the student side, near the FOC. obviously it's our house, we want to pack out OUR house with OUR fans before we worry about the opposing team, but most schools have a designated section or side for the opponent.

[Fumblerooskies]

OK...I agree with NEVER Limiting student tickets. What I am looking for is SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS...

I agree, though, that horse shoeing in the old fieldhouse end would be great...before adding a second deck.

[TDDance234]

I'd be willing to bet that they would put bleachers ON TOP of the opponent locker rooms to make room for more students before limiting the number of students allowed in Williams. For the first time in my years here, the student body is pumped about the football team--not a time to alienate them.

I don't believe the structure could handle that- not sure about the strength of the truss-roof, but I'd doubt it (without substantial renovation)

A lot may hinge on when the wrestling team gets their own facility. With them out, you can really change it up.

It was more of an emphasis of things they would do/try before student tickets were limited. I would imagine that tearing that building down and enclosing, which has been mentioned several times on this board, is in the works sometime in the near future.

[TDDance234]

out of curiosity, what happens when we start playing big name (and local) schools? do we even have a section for the opposing team's fans as it is? i know a few usually sit on the student side, near the FOC. obviously it's our house, we want to pack out OUR house with OUR fans before we worry about the opposing team, but most schools have a designated section or side for the opponent.

We have in the past had a section reserved for the opposing team. I don't remember seeing one this past week, except for a few parents plopped down right in the middle of the student section (who quickly scurried for higher ground when they realized they were in a sea white-shirts and red-ties).

[BrysOn_G]

OK...I agree with NEVER Limiting student tickets. What I am looking for is SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS...

I agree, though, that horse shoeing in the old field house end would be great...before adding a second deck.

in addition to sitting in the grass, what kind of support does that field house have? not enough to seat hundreds of people i wouldn't imagine. are there some kind of bleachers that could be placed on such a steep angle as the big hill on the scoreboard end of the baptist side? maybe rig some bleachers on that side, and leave the other side of the scoreboard end open for grass seating.

i would say seat some people on the student side, then have the students fill in the grass, but i'm with tddance... no way the students should be alienated at this point in things.

[SuperJon]

Where are we going to put them? Exactly where we did Saturday night. Pack in the north side, let the Baptists sit on the regular side, and let everyone else sit in the grass. Our stadium is perfect right now.

[thepostman]

nothing really needs to be done...once the grassy hill is filled with people on a regular basis and there are more that want to get in, then that is when we'll need to think about expansion

when we do expand I think the idea of knocking out the visoter's locker room and filling that are in with seats to make a horse shoe is the much better way to go then put the expansion above the baptist side...but thats just me...I like this idea of having an enclosed stadium first....

[jcmanson]

There is NO way we limit student tickets. That would be the dumbest thing to do. They are excited and pumped about the team which the students have only been like that for about a year now. No way we can afford to deter that. For a short term solution, I see no problem with the extra people sitting on the grass. Perhaps we need to start selling tickets designated to sit on the grass at like $5 a pop. They do something like that at UVa, and when the stadium is packed for the big games the grass section is packed. People bring blankets and stuff to lounge around there. Kids can run around and play. It's perfect. Until we get to a point where we are putting close to 18,000 in the stadium every week then we would need to add some more seats. I'm with Jon on this, I don't like seeing empty seats. Pack out what you have.

[Cider Jim]

Manson, I like your thinking. Maybe we say that all minors and those under 5' tall must sit in the grass.

[LUconn]

Here's the problem, if there are more fans than seats, sure some will take the hill, but there will be a ton of people just standing around at the top. That was a problem last year. People aren't paying attention when they're at the top. Those temporary bleachers on the student side are a good start, but they were too small. If they got some bigger ones you could sqeeze 1500 more kids on them.

[jcmanson]

Here's the problem, if there are more fans than seats, sure some will take the hill, but there will be a ton of people just standing around at the top. That was a problem last year. People aren't paying attention when they're at the top. Those temporary bleachers on the student side are a good start, but they were too small. If they got some bigger ones you could sqeeze 1500 more kids on them.

But if you make them buy tickets that are solely for the grass area then if they were just standing at the top the Liberty Ambassadors (or whatever they're called) can tell them they need to return to their seats.

[JDUB]

we need to average above capacity for at least a season before we start expanding. i agree with jon and others.. put them in the grass. there is plenty of room there, and never never ever limit student tickets. our stadium is perfect right now because it has just enough room to fit everyone in it that is coming to the games. if the baptist side starts selling out and they have to turn people away, then maybe they can think of expanding. but i don't see them turning people away anytime this year.

[Knucklehead]

For once I'm with SJ. Yes, we were above capacity, but that is a good thing. I do like the idea of bigger temp bleechers on the student side though. Any drastic add ons for this year would be bad, Need to have some time where folks feel like they have to get tickets early and make an effort to come and come early. If it's too easy then the fans you have will bee boring. If it's a tough seat to get the fansin the seats will be the diehards.

That's MHO!

[Fumblerooskies]

Manson, I like your thinking. Maybe we say that all minors and those under 5' tall must sit in the grass.

Guess Medic has his new seat for homecoming.

[PAmedic]

Manson, I like your thinking. Maybe we say that all minors and those under 5' tall must sit in the grass.

Guess Medic has his new seat for homecoming.

ironic, seeing as I tower over you.

[BrysOn_G]

i think fumble was talking on a more temporary basis. if attendance grows anymore than last saturday THIS SEASON, someone might want to consider possible temporary seating ideas. i agree with those that say the football stadium is great right now. it is. another couple years, something major might need to happen. right now, i believe a temporary seating plan would not be a bad idea, nor a waste of $$.

people are more than welcome, and willing, to sit on the hill. however, i would imagine that those who decide on issues such as seating would want to do everything they can to accommodate spectators comfortably...

[SuperJon]

I don't think there needs to be any temporary seating. Pack em in as much as possible then throw the rest on the grass. Look at App, Wake, Coastal, etc.

[BrysOn_G]

I don't think there needs to be any temporary seating. Pack em in as much as possible then throw the rest on the grass. Look at App, Wake, Coastal, etc.

i almost had to elbow that kid beside me on saturday. he kept sneaking into my spot... thinking he'd been out there for 2 hours or something. pshh.

did anyone see if the majority of people sitting in the grass last weekend were adults, students or kids? i don't know. i understand what you're saying about wake and other schools. it just sort of reminded me of a high school football game seeing all those people randomly scattered on the hill... then i watched vince squish someone. hill seating or not, DEFINETELY not high school.

[Cider Jim]

I wonder what seating plans are for homecoming this year, because we could easily have 20,000 plus at that game.