In Boise, Chadd Cripe reports Boise State has a “splashy new videoboard.” The Idaho State Board of Education yesterday gave the school “approval to go shopping for a board that would be approximately 60 feet wide by 33 feet tall at a cost of" up to $2M. The current videoboard in the north end of Bronco Stadium, which “debuted in 2001, is roughly 24x18.” BSU “did not provide a timeline,” but was accepting bids through yesterday, which “hints that the Broncos would like to install it this year.” BSU “presented a funding plan to the State Board,” and the school “hopes to limit the cost to $1.5 million -- $750,000 from athletic department reserves, $250,000 in equipment money from the sponsorship contract with Learfield Sports and $500,000 in donation commitments” (IDAHO STATESMAN, 5/16).
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES: In Chicago, Teddy Greenstein notes Northwestern AD Jim Phillips is “well aware Illinois plans to spend $165 million to renovate the rechristened State Farm Center and DePaul wants a $300 million arena near McCormick Place.” Phillips said, "We're paying attention. No question we have to address Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena. But we have to stay true to our priorities." That means “moving forward with the lakefront facility that will benefit NU's entire student body -- and be a boon to programs such as football and women's lacrosse.” Phillips said that $70-80M of the $220M project “has been raised.” But he declined to “put a timetable on the groundbreaking” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/16).
GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER: In Cincinnati, Tom Groeschen reported Cincinnati “soon will replace the FieldTurf playing surface at Nippert Stadium, where the Bearcats football team is the main tenant.” The current turf is “near the end of its shelf life, having been in place since 2005.” UC AD Whit Babcock said that the project will “cost about $600,000, and that some of the money will come from the former Big East’s exit fees distribution.” The turf project is “separate from the planned $60 million-$70 million Nippert renovation” (CINCINNATI.com, 5/10).
PLAY BALL: In K.C., Terez Paylor noted the Missouri will “be building a new softball stadium.” UM Exec Associate AD Tim Hickman confirmed “the building is now in the school’s plans, though no site has been determined.” He expects the stadium “to cost in the neighborhood" of $15M. Hickman said that it “would be nice if the stadium is ready" for the '15 SEC softball tournament, which Missouri is slated to host. But he added that if it is not, the school “might look into hosting it another year” (K.C. STAR, 5/15).
