In K.C. Tod Palmer noted Missouri on Tuesday unveiled its new $45.5M east-side expansion of Memorial Stadium and noted it would be "completed on time and on budget for Saturday's season opener against South Dakota State." Among the highlights are new light towers "measuring 35 feet high by 53 feet wide." The expansion, which "took 16 months to complete, features more intimate club and loge seating areas compared to the spacious suites added on the press-box side" before the '13 season. The new seating chart "bumps Missouri back to its pre-construction seating capacity of approximately 71,000." J.E. Dunn VP Tom Heger, whose company served as the project's contractor, said, “It’s smaller and more intimate, but the premium level really is the crown jewel. It spans from one side to the other and you literally can’t see from one side to the other with a little bit of a curvature” (K.C. STAR, 8/27).
SOUND EFFECTS: In Omaha, Kate Howard noted Nebraska's season-opener Saturday at Memorial Stadium will mark the debut of a $3M "sound upgrade designed for clarity and consistency, and a new, high-capacity Wi-Fi network for fans." NU Assistant AD/HuskerVision Shot Kleen said that upgrading the speakers in the north scoreboard "should mean a more consistent volume and quality throughout the stadium." Howard noted the "old sound system was 20 years old and not very technically advanced." Kleen added that also new this year is an Internet protocol TV network that will "provide better picture quality for TVs throughout the stadium and in the suites." More cameras will also be "deployed, including a focal point on the student section and point-of-view cameras on the field for new angles" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 8/27).
THE TWO UTES: In Salt Lake City, Matthew Piper reported Utah has announced plans to "install a new south end zone scoreboard at Rice-Eccles Stadium by the start" of the '15 football season. Utah AD Chris Hill said that it "will be larger and have a higher-quality picture than the current one." The sound system -- which Hill "admits is currently bad -- will also be improved." Hill said that the scoreboard, estimated to cost $4-6M, is a "standalone project" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 8/27).
DON'T MISS OUT: Mississippi State this year will debut the Gridiron Club as part of its $75M renovation of Davis Wade Stadium. The club, which is open to season-ticket holders, "allows fans access to the north end zone at all times." Spectators can "watch the game from the area or return to their seats." MSU AD Scott Stricklin described the 22 suites as "more traditional." Four of the suites "hold 20 people, the other 18 can hold 12" (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 8/27).
OUT WITH THE OLD: William & Mary is planning an estimated $27M "makeover of the 79-year-old Zable Stadium." The renovation is "expected to begin at the end of this football season and be completed in time" for the '16 season. Plans call for a "new upper deck, suites and a media box on the west, or home, side of the stadium" (TIMESDISPATCH.com, 8/26).
