College Notes: Georgia Tech to decrease capacity at Bobby Dodd Stadium

In Atlanta, Chad Bishop reported Georgia Tech will alter the official capacity of Bobby Dodd Stadium. Sections 218 and 219, and a part of section 217, in the stadium “will be permanently removed” to fit the new Fanning Center, a 100,000 square-foot facility, into the northeast corner of the historic venue. Starting with the 2024 season, Bobby Dodd Stadium’s capacity “will be reduced from 55,000 to 51,913.” The change in capacity is the “first for the venue since 2003,” when seating increased from 46,000 to 55,000. Georgia Tech season ticket holders whose seats are located in those sections “have been notified by Tech’s ticket office and have been offered relocations to other sections of the stadium.” Construction work is “scheduled to begin this week” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION 4/2).

ATTENDANCE DROP: In Memphis, Jason Munz noted the actual attendance for the Univ. of Memphis men’s basketball games in 2023-24 at FedExForum “took a slight hit” compared to the previous season. Memphis drew an average of 6,827 fans through the turnstiles. That number is down from the 7,458 in actual attendance in 2022-23 but higher that what the athletic department reported in 2021-22 -- which was 6,483. Under the terms of the Univ. of Memphis' FedExForum lease agreement, the athletic department “would have received a maximum payment” of $800,000 from the Grizzlies “if the Tigers averaged 10,000 or more through the turnstiles.” Instead, Memphis will “get a partial payment.” The specific amount “has not been determined” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/1).