oh great, baseball stadium will probably be delayed again.

Actually it could. When they announced the plans originally to build the new stadium, it was said that it would cost as much or more to renovate as it would for the new stadium which is why they decided to build the new one. I would love for them to just renovate alex box. I know when the new stadium is built if the costs go up or they move my seats from the grandstand that they will need to find another sucker to buy those season tickets as I'll just buy outside the stadium when I want to attend.

 

Thanks JayB.

So, might it be safe to say that if it is built as proposed, while it might not be the greatest college baseball stadium ever, it would atleast hold it's own against these other stadiums that you mention, particularly in the eyes of recruits that really consider this sort of thing?

 

Well yes, anything is possible. But why pay $15M for renovations when you can have a brand-new, state-of-the-art park for (what was the proposed price again?) for about $35M. I understand that that is a difference of $20M, but I'm sure that once you pay $15M to renovate Alex Box its potential will be maxed out. However, with the new park you have a $35M up-front price, but then in the future you could propose a $15M phase and really be sitting pretty. Either way it should be chump change for LSU and the state. Well, I do understand Katrina's impact, but I guarantee if TS needed a $40M renovation, it would get it. Football does make more money than baseball.... but it's a never ending story. It's why I hate business and economics and love sports. :grin:

 

Without a question. However, the most important implementation in terms of performance would be the indoor facilities that all of the top programs have. As far as recruitment and revenues are concerned, the stadium itself would be more beneficial. They both go hand-in-hand. What it ultimately boils down to is: keeping up with the Jones'. Unfortunately the youth of today (of which I am) are swayed just as much by bells and whistles as they are by a program's successes.

I like the old Box, but how can LSU justify keeping a 70-year-old facility when every other school is popping out nice and bright multi-million dollar stadiums that rival state-of-the-art minor league parks?

EDIT: I can't believe that initially I forgot to mention the Arkansas ball park!

 

Don't forget, that $15M is a pre-Katrina figure. By the time you adjust that, it makes even less sense to renovate.

 

Here's an update on the baseball stadium. They are going to rob peter to pay paul so they can start construction on Alex Box this summer. Unfortunately, the basketball practice facility and Tiger Stadium restroom renovations will be postponed until they find money for those projects.

Going back through the state's capital outlay program would take forever.

 

Sounds okay by me. upgrading TS bathrooms really isn't a big deal to me. Getting a new baseball stadium is much more important then both of those things.

 

football is the cash cow of the athletic department and should never have to give up $$ for improvements to the other sports progams, especially ones that don't generate revenue.

 

>Title IX<


Just another angle for you to consider:

Even in high schools money is deposited in an "Athletic fund" and doled out on a discretionary, as needed basis......with "Equal" in mind as much as it can. The numbers alone, in some sports, dictate the $$. 12 members on a basketball team don't bring as many family/friends/almni through the gate as much as 40 football players........unless they're in a run for the State Championship anyway. :grin:

Not even sure how Title IX applies to colleges but the same theory seems applicable in fairness- imo anyway. :thumb:

 

WOW, look what I found:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_IX