Schoellkopf / new West Stands

[Local Motion]

I agree with having the Cornell home team on the West side of the stadium because that's where the press box is located.   Two reasons, first the home coach doesn't need to deal with the flag sticks......chain gang walking up and down the sideline.   Secondly if an assistant coach or coordinator needs to get down to the field lever to speak to the offense or defense they have easy access.   When Kent Austin was at Cornell he hated being on the Crescent side and that may be Swanstrom's thinking.   Regardless the West side of the stadium looks hideuus with the parking garage in the background.   In reality the old West Stands were basically the same set up as many high school granstands and if Cornell cannot replace them it's ridiculous.  We're not talking big money.   No other Ivy and all but one Patriot League teams have home and away bleachers.

[upprdeck]

Its not just an issue on money its also liability for those types of metal stands.

[Ken711]

Its just an issue on money its also liability for those types of metal stands.

Yes it is.  Any new stands have to be ADA compliant.  You have to provide bathrooms, also ADA compliant.  And finally, you need to provide a refreshment stand for that side as well.  It's all related to money and the focus of the money now is the new Meinig Fieldhouse facility, and the ultimately new field hockey field next to the new baseball Booth field complex.

[Local Motion]

Even if you don't like sports............Cornell needs those West Stands for graduation.   In terms of football and other sports, the current condition of the stadium is definitely a recruiting liability.   If we want to attract top talent to Cornell than Schoellkopf Field needs to at least be brought back to Ivy League standards.   When a recruit visits schools like Princeton, Harvard, and even Dartmouth their stadiums are quite impressive.   Again the old West Stands were basically a set of high school bleachers with 4,000 seating capacity.   Cornell could add a new set of ADA compliant bleachers with say 1500 seats for less than a $1MM.   Rent one of those portable bathroom trailers and park a food truck for concessions and we're good to go.  

With a new West Stands we could bring soccer back to Schoellkopf Field for a night game with Syracuse etc.   The place would be rocking.   By the way several pro teams play on Field Turf so that should not be an issue.   Go Big Red!

[Ken711]

Even if you don't like sports............Cornell needs those West Stands for graduation.   In terms of football and other sports, the current condition of the stadium is definitely a recruiting liability.   If we want to attract top talent to Cornell than Schoellkopf Field needs to at least be brought back to Ivy League standards.   When a recruit visits schools like Princeton, Harvard, and even Dartmouth their stadiums are quite impressive.   Again the old West Stands were basically a set of high school bleachers with 4,000 seating capacity.   Cornell could add a new set of ADA compliant bleachers with say 1500 seats for less than a $1MM.   Rent one of those portable bathroom trailers and park a food truck for concessions and we're good to go.  

With a new West Stands we could bring soccer back to Schoellkopf Field for a night game with Syracuse etc.   The place would be rocking.   By the way several pro teams play on Field Turf so that should not be an issue.   Go Big Red!

Unless you're willing to write that check, the financial focus is elsewhere.

[Trotsky]

Thankfully.

[billhoward]

It's a great place to show all our Ivy and national titles. Some parts of the banner are fuller than others.

[Local Motion]

Regardless the lack of the West Stands is a recruiting liability for Coach Swanstrom and we easily have the uglist stadium in the Ivy League.   Cover the parking garage how you wish, but it's like putting lipstick on a pig.   I think if Coach Swanstom reaches our alumni base we can easily raise the funds to build a smaller fully ADA compliant West Stands.  Given the weather in Ithaca if we constructed a smaller 1500 to 2000 seat granstand with an awning (roof) for the rain  during inclimate weather it would become very popular during home football and lacrosse games.  Another way to sell it, the awning would shade our admins and VIP's during those hot graduations over Memorial weekend.

[Ken711]

Regardless the lack of the West Stands is a recruiting liability for Coach Swanstrom and we easily have the uglist stadium in the Ivy League.   Cover the parking garage how you wish, but it's like putting lipstick on a pig.   I think if Coach Swanstom reaches our alumni base we can easily raise the funds to build a smaller fully ADA compliant West Stands.  Given the weather in Ithaca if we constructed a smaller 1500 to 2000 seat granstand with an awning (roof) for the rain  during inclimate weather it would become very popular during home football and lacrosse games.  Another way to sell it, the awning would shade our admins and VIP's during those hot graduations over Memorial weekend.

Swanstrom also has a recruiting advantage with the soon to be built Meinig Fieldhouse. Nothing is going to happen on the West Stands for a few years.

[mike1960]

Tang Hall looks good in the pictures.