In Memphis, Phil Stukenborg reported Univ. of Memphis athletic officials are "interested in increasing the number of chair-back seats at city-owned Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium from about 500 to approximately 15,000, an upgrade that would reduce the 60,000 capacity by several thousand." Memphis AD Tom Bowen said that the seats "would be located halfway up the east and west sides of the stadium and be placed between the 30-yard lines." He added that there "would be 7,500 chair-back seats per side." Stukenborg noted there is "no cost estimate and it’s not known how much capacity would be reduced." There also is "not a consensus among the facility's tenants for such a renovation" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 1/10).
DEVILS MAY CARE: In Durham, Steve Wiseman noted Duke Senior Deputy AD Chris Kennedy and his late wife Ana "have been honored as their name now adorns the newest building to tower over the school’s expanding athletic campus." Standing four stories and "occupying 11,000 square feet, Kennedy Tower will house hospitality, game operations and media services" for both Koskinen and Williams Stadiums. Anonymous donors "provided the funding for Kennedy Tower." Chris Kennedy has "worked in Duke’s athletics department" since '77 (Durham HERALD-SUN, 1/11).
ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE: Univ. of Miami AD Blake James said of an indoor practice facility for the UM football team, "We're working on it. ... We're working on identifying the right spot for it. I think once we find the right spot the institution and our supporters are in-line and recognize the need for it that we're going to be able to make it a reality. Right now, it's finding the right spot. Then it will be lining up the funding for it. But I'm confident we're going to make that happen" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 1/14).
