STATECOLLEGE.com's Mike Poorman wrote as Penn State's Beaver Stadium "enters its 55th season in its present location, it comes with a host of problems and challenges that in number don’t quite match its capacity of 106,572." Penn State AD Sandy Barbour said, "It’s pretty clear to me that we need to put together a plan to address a whole lot of issues in Beaver Stadium. Obviously, Beaver Stadium is historic. It’s a wonderful place. ... But whether it be for working aspects of what we do -- like the press box -- or for fan amenities and the fan experience, there’s lots we need to address. And the only way to do that is systematically and to develop a master plan." Poorman noted Beaver Stadium has a "long list of shortages -- few concessions options, outdated plumbing, limited chairback seating, the constantly changing world of digital and WiFi, simple comfort." While no one is saying that Penn State is "considering razing Beaver Stadium and putting up a new stadium," the dollars of intercollegiate athletics "make giving it some deep and honest thought some sense" (STATECOLLEGE.com, 8/2).
CARDINAL RULE: Louisville AD Tom Jurich said that he "wants someday to see a 'first-class' expansion of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium but that the school is taking a patient approach." UL since '13 has been "conducting a feasibility on expanding the stadium -- presumably by enclosing the open north end zone." Jurich said, "I don't want to do it until we know we can do it right and have it first-class. I want it to be something much, much more than bowling in an end zone." He added he wants any expansion of the stadium to have "a lot of amenities and have it really tricked up so that really our fan base has something to be extremely proud of" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 8/1).
TIGER STYLE: In Birmingham, James Crepea reported Auburn is "still considering what to place on the back" of Jordan-Hare Stadium's new videoboard, which "will be the biggest" in college sports. During the upcoming season, two large openings on the back of the 190x57-foot structure "will feature 'murals' of former players." But they "could be replaced by LED boards as soon as next year." LED boards on the outside of the stadium "could show highlights from past games or be used for promotional purposes" (AL.com, 7/31).
