The Univ. of Miami football team's opener against Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 5 was the first time fans "got a taste" of Sun Life Stadium’s two-year, $425M makeover, and "by most accounts, having 10,000 fewer seats, 65,326 upgraded seats to sit in, better food options and upgraded bathrooms, flooring and concourses was welcomed with open arms," according to Manny Navarro of the MIAMI HERALD. UM AD Blake James said he is convinced the football team is “going to be playing in one of, if not the best stadium in the country" when the renovations are completed next year. Navarro notes UM last year "averaged 52,518 fans and has averaged 44,282 fans since coming over from the Orange Bowl" in '08. That average in what was a 75,540-seat stadium before the renovations "left a lot of empty, noticeable seats for the rest of the college football world to poke fun at." Now, if UM draws 52,000 for a game instead of being about 65% full, it "will be closer" to 80% full. The stadium upgrades have also allowed for UM Associate AD/Development Jesse Marks and the school "to offer a much better experience to their biggest donors." Marks said that there are "four different levels of giving" at UM: $15,000 for traditional Golden Canes; $25,000 for Golden Canes plus; $30,000 for platinum Canes and $55,000 for Champions (MIAMI HERALD, 9/18).
