In South Bend, Margaret Fosmoe noted Notre Dame at its home opener Saturday will unveil "new steel benches in the upper bowl, new stadium lights and a brand-new press box now located on the east side" of Notre Dame Stadium. The three large buildings that are "under construction adjacent loom over the east, west and south walls of the 86-year-old stadium." It is part of the $400M Campus Crossroads project to "add three academic and student life buildings, with space for premium football seating atop two of them." ND Assistant VP/University Communications Dennis Brown said that the project "is on schedule and will be completed" in August '17. The new press box will seat 170, "compared to 330 in the old one." Areas for 2,000 to 3,000 premium seats are "under construction on the top floors of the new buildings, but the premium seats won't be in use this season" (SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE, 8/27).
THE DEVIL MADE THEM DO IT: In Raleigh, Chip Alexander noted the Duke Forward fundraising campaign has funded renovations as part of a $100M upgrade to the school's athletic facilities. Changes to Wallace Wade Stadium include Blue Devil Tower -- "with suites and press box -- and new seating areas." A track that "circled the playing field has been removed and the playing field lowered." The stadium's seating capacity was "increased by about 6,000 to 40,004." After the '16 season, there are "plans to add new ticket booths and upgrade restrooms and concessions" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 8/29).
BULLDOG MENTALITY: The exterior of Sanford Stadium's Gate 9 has been "renovated to address pedestrian egress concerns" for Georgia home games. All concession stands "now accept major credit cards," and as a result, ATM machines are "no longer available inside Sanford Stadium." Twenty-plus vendors were added to "push out items such as beverages and snacks, especially in the 100 level" (AJC.com, 8/30).
PIRATE PARTY: In North Carolina, Beth Velliquette notes Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Aug. 20 hosted its "first major concert" since East Carolina's initiative to "expand use of its facilities." The stadium held the Carolina Kickoff concert, featuring Eric Church and Kid Rock. ECU contracted with Iowa-based Basis Entertainment to "hold the concert," and the two are "making final arrangements for another big show" in August '17. ECU "charged Basis $100,000 for the use of the facility," and the company is also "paying the cost of replacing sod on the football field so that the field is ready" for ECU's game against Western Carolina on Saturday (Greenville DAILY REFLECTOR, 9/1).
