SEATTLE - Husky Stadium (72,500 -> 70,500) - Page 5

BellevueBoy · June 14th, 2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schnauzer1

Yes, there is Target Center rennovation $$$ tied into the financing for the new Vikings stadium. Target center is a nice facility in its own right but the need for an update is here this early because Excel Engergy Center is a masterpiece. It is an absolute gem of an NHL (or NBA) arena and it gets the bulk of the music tour dollars. It is always in direct competition with Target Center and Target Center needs the update to compete.

I am a huge college football fan and with a brother living near Tacoma, I am hoping to catch a Washington game in the new stadium after it opens. I have been following this project since the early days when it was proposed. I agree, it should be a first class facility located on a perfect piece of land. I also think Seattle will be an excellent home to an NHL team. I hope they get one... fast.

Why don't the T-Wolves play in Xcel Energy Center too? Are they both located in downtown or is one of them in St. Paul?

UM is a huge school in terms of student body but I can't ever remember them being a relevant football program. Are things going to turn around now that they've moved into a nice new stadium?

Yeah I hope we get a NHL team too. The developer for the new arena is getting support from a lot of the local NHL fans too. There's a lot of Canuck fans here but it'll be awesome to get our own team and start a rivalry with them.

Schnauzer1 · June 14th, 2012, 07:30 PM

The two arenas are 10 miles apart, Excel in St. Paul, Target Center in Minneapolis. Target Center was built as the home of the Timberwolves and it was assumed it would host an NHL team at some point too. However, St. Paul had its own arena, the 17,000 seat Civic Center. It had aged and was destined for the wrecking ball. There is always a lot of political push and pull between Mpls and StP so rather than tear down the Civic Center for the resulting parking lot... Excel Energy Center was born and it fed St. Paul's need to have conference/trade show space and since the Wild were on their way... made the perfect home for them. The problem is, it was TOO good... so now you have the resulting need to update Target Center. Hockey works in St. Paul, but it would be difficult to have NBA there (season ticket holder demographics). Meanwhile, NHL could work in either location but neither Mpls or StP would ever allow their own arena to sit empty now.

The story of the decline of UofM football has too many facets and would take up too much space (epecially here in the discussion of the fine new Husky stadium). But, to make a long story short, there IS history (6 national championships) but a lot of neglect (started in the 1970s) and bad decisions (moving the team off campus to the Metrodome in the 80's) that has left the football program struggling. The new stadium should be a big help, and it has been built to easily expand should the team improve enough to re-grow the fan base. The stadium is wonderful, and it has played to rave reviews from most anyone that has visited it (including two PAC12 schools so far: USC and Cal). With the new Big 10/Pac 12 agreement, perhaps we'll see Washington play in Minneapolis, or Minnesota play in Seattle sooner rather than later.

dfwabel · June 14th, 2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellevueBoy

The progress on this stadium has been incredible. Once complete this will be the jewel of the Pac-12 and will be amongst the top 10 college football stadiums in the nation.

I can't believe within 5 years or so our liberal hipster town could potentially have four world class sports facilities that are each less than 20 years old.

Safeco Field (Mariners) - 1999
CenturyLink Field (Seahawks/Sounders) - 2002
New Husky Stadium (Husky Football) - 2013
Sonics/NHL Arena - 201?

Could any other US city share that claim?

Houston. When New Robertson Stadium is built, they will actually have five.

Reliant Stadium
Minute Maid Park
Toyota Center
BBVA Compass Stadium
New Robertson Stadium

BellevueBoy · June 14th, 2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfwabel

Houston. When New Robertson Stadium is built, they will actually have five.

Reliant Stadium
Minute Maid Park
Toyota Center
BBVA Compass Stadium
New Robertson Stadium

Wow I didn't know Houston had a soccer-only stadium. That is awesome. It was cool to see the UH program's run last year, it's too bad they couldn't go undefeated and made an argument to play in the title game. Any chance they get an invite to the Big 12 in the future?

GunnerJacket · June 14th, 2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfwabel

Houston. When New Robertson Stadium is built, they will actually have five.

Reliant Stadium
Minute Maid Park
Toyota Center
BBVA Compass Stadium
New Robertson Stadium

a) We've yet to see the plans for Robertson.
b) The drop off in the calibre of facilities between your first three and the last two is huge, and I daresay that no matter how nice they are those may not constitute "world class." Maybe if you're rating within certain size capacities, even then I can think of several 20k+ seat venues around the globe that outstrip the Compass, and I'm not convinced the new Cougars venue will be the king of 40k seaters.

Put another way, if an international friendly were held in Seattle either CenturyLink or Husky could host with equal clout, the same could not be said regarding Reliant and either the Compass or Robertson.

GunnerJacket · June 14th, 2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellevueBoy

Any chance they get an invite to the Big 12 in the future?

If they do it will most likely mean the heart of the BXII will have left. Not only are Texas and co. loathe to enrich too many local competitors for recruiting talent but, as we're seeing in the treatment of the new Big East, the power schools aren't interested in sharing the spotlight and political power with schools they consider a notch below them academically.

BellevueBoy · June 14th, 2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunnerJacket

Put another way, if an international friendly were held in Seattle either CenturyLink or Husky could host with equal clout, the same could not be said regarding Reliant and either the Compass or Robertson.

Yes good point, not to knock on Htown's stadiums but new Husky Stadium will be on another level compared to most college stadiums. In fact, Both CenturyLink and Husky Stadium are on the shortlist of potential host stadiums for the US' bid for a World Cup.

BoulderGrad · June 14th, 2012, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellevueBoy

Yes good point, not to knock on Htown's stadiums but new Husky Stadium will be on another level compared to most college stadiums. In fact, Both CenturyLink and Husky Stadium are on the shortlist of potential host stadiums for the US' bid for a World Cup.

That was pre-renovation. Can new Husky Stadium hold a FIFA approved pitch? If yes, then by all means...

BoulderGrad · June 14th, 2012, 09:31 PM

Metro areas with NFL teams AND top flight (Edit: make that BCS) NCAA programs:

Seattle: Sea-chickens, UW Huskies
Minneapolis: Vikings, UM
Miami: Dolphins, UM Hurricanes
Houston: Texans, UH
Atlanta: Falcons, GA Tech
Washington D.C.: Redskins, UMD Terrapins
Boston: Patriots, BC Eagles
San Fran: 49ers, Raiders, Cal, Stanford
Denver: Broncos, CU Buffs
Phoenix: Cardinals, ASU

Possibly LA?: LA Rams/Chargers/Raiders, UCLA, USC

BellevueBoy · June 14th, 2012, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoulderGrad

That was pre-renovation. Can new Husky Stadium hold a FIFA approved pitch? If yes, then by all means...

I don't see why not. The removal of the track and new concessions only improves it's potential as a World Cupe venue.

BellevueBoy · June 14th, 2012, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoulderGrad

Metro areas with NFL teams AND top flight (Edit: make that BCS) NCAA programs:

Seattle: Sea-chickens, UW Huskies
Minneapolis: Vikings, UM
Miami: Dolphins, UM Hurricanes
Houston: Texans, UH
Atlanta: Falcons, GA Tech
Washington D.C.: Redskins, UMD Terrapins
Boston: Patriots, BC Eagles
San Fran: 49ers, Raiders, Cal, Stanford
Denver: Broncos, CU Buffs
Phoenix: Cardinals, ASU

Possibly LA?: LA Rams/Chargers/Raiders, UCLA, USC

UH isn't in a BCS conference and some of those other schools are located 30 miles or so away from the city. Seattle (and Minneapolis once the Vikes new stadium opens) is unique in that we will have two world class football stadiums within the city only a few miles apart.

What's with the diss towards the Hawks? I take it you're a Donkeys fan?

BoulderGrad · June 14th, 2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellevueBoy

UH isn't in a BCS conference and some of those other schools are located 30 miles or so away from the city. Seattle (and Minneapolis once the Vikes new stadium opens) is unique in that we will have two world class football stadiums within the city only a few miles apart.

UH is moving to the Big "East" which is BCS (for now). Which also reminds me that I should add Pittsbugh to the list.

As for the distance, 30 miles still pulls from the same fan base. CU even plays the yearly rivalry game against CSU in Denver. But yes, true that its rare to have them THAT close. Go us!

Quote:

What's with the diss towards the Hawks? I take it you're a Donkeys fan?

Thats frustrated home fan grumbling. Every town I ever move to, the well regarded NFL team turns to shite soon after. Moved to DC in '92, Boulder in '00, and Seattle in '05

dfwabel · June 15th, 2012, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoulderGrad

UH is moving to the Big "East" which is BCS (for now). Which also reminds me that I should add Pittsbugh to the list.

If you place Phoenix and San Francisco on your list, you also should add the DFW metroplex since both Cowboys Stadium and Amon Carter (TCU).

JJG · June 15th, 2012, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfwabel

If you place Phoenix and San Francisco on your list, you also should add the DFW metroplex since both Cowboys Stadium and Amon Carter (TCU).

Both in the same county (still feels weird, but VERY good to say), just about a 25 minute drive, with good traffic, from campus to Jerryworld.

BellevueBoy · June 15th, 2012, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoulderGrad

UH is moving to the Big "East" which is BCS (for now). Which also reminds me that I should add Pittsbugh to the list.

As for the distance, 30 miles still pulls from the same fan base. CU even plays the yearly rivalry game against CSU in Denver. But yes, true that its rare to have them THAT close. Go us!

Thats frustrated home fan grumbling. Every town I ever move to, the well regarded NFL team turns to shite soon after. Moved to DC in '92, Boulder in '00, and Seattle in '05

Oh yeah, I completely forgot UH joining the Big East.

Can you move to SF so you can put your curse on the Niners next?

BoulderGrad · June 15th, 2012, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellevueBoy

Can you move to SF so you can put your curse on the Niners next?

Until recently, they'd been taking care of that on their own.

CVTower · June 16th, 2012, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoulderGrad

Metro areas with NFL teams AND top flight (Edit: make that BCS) NCAA programs:

Seattle: Sea-chickens, UW Huskies
Minneapolis: Vikings, UM
Miami: Dolphins, UM Hurricanes
Houston: Texans, UH
Atlanta: Falcons, GA Tech
Washington D.C.: Redskins, UMD Terrapins
Boston: Patriots, BC Eagles
San Fran: 49ers, Raiders, Cal, Stanford
Denver: Broncos, CU Buffs
Phoenix: Cardinals, ASU

Possibly LA?: LA Rams/Chargers/Raiders, UCLA, USC

Also San Diego: Chargers and San Diego State University Aztecs (moving from Mountain West to Big East in 2013-14 for football...still can't believe it myself)

BoulderGrad · June 16th, 2012, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CVTower

Also San Diego: Chargers and San Diego State University Aztecs (moving from Mountain West to Big East in 2013-14 for football...still can't believe it myself)

I've been putting the "East" part of it in quotes every time I write it now.

***RMB2007*** · July 21st, 2012, 05:14 PM

From Sotosoroto on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sotosoroto/7615441580/

KingmanIII · July 21st, 2012, 07:38 PM

So do they plan to redo the other grandstand in the future?

June 14th, 2012, 09:31 PM	#89
BoulderGrad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,357 Likes (Received): 39	Metro areas with NFL teams AND top flight (Edit: make that BCS) NCAA programs: Seattle: Sea-chickens, UW Huskies Minneapolis: Vikings, UM Miami: Dolphins, UM Hurricanes Houston: Texans, UH Atlanta: Falcons, GA Tech Washington D.C.: Redskins, UMD Terrapins Boston: Patriots, BC Eagles San Fran: 49ers, Raiders, Cal, Stanford Denver: Broncos, CU Buffs Phoenix: Cardinals, ASU Possibly LA?: LA Rams/Chargers/Raiders, UCLA, USC __________________ My shrink once said to me: "Maybe life isn't for everyone..."

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June 14th, 2012, 07:30 PM	#82
Schnauzer1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 30 Likes (Received): 0	The two arenas are 10 miles apart, Excel in St. Paul, Target Center in Minneapolis. Target Center was built as the home of the Timberwolves and it was assumed it would host an NHL team at some point too. However, St. Paul had its own arena, the 17,000 seat Civic Center. It had aged and was destined for the wrecking ball. There is always a lot of political push and pull between Mpls and StP so rather than tear down the Civic Center for the resulting parking lot... Excel Energy Center was born and it fed St. Paul's need to have conference/trade show space and since the Wild were on their way... made the perfect home for them. The problem is, it was TOO good... so now you have the resulting need to update Target Center. Hockey works in St. Paul, but it would be difficult to have NBA there (season ticket holder demographics). Meanwhile, NHL could work in either location but neither Mpls or StP would ever allow their own arena to sit empty now. The story of the decline of UofM football has too many facets and would take up too much space (epecially here in the discussion of the fine new Husky stadium). But, to make a long story short, there IS history (6 national championships) but a lot of neglect (started in the 1970s) and bad decisions (moving the team off campus to the Metrodome in the 80's) that has left the football program struggling. The new stadium should be a big help, and it has been built to easily expand should the team improve enough to re-grow the fan base. The stadium is wonderful, and it has played to rave reviews from most anyone that has visited it (including two PAC12 schools so far: USC and Cal). With the new Big 10/Pac 12 agreement, perhaps we'll see Washington play in Minneapolis, or Minnesota play in Seattle sooner rather than later.

July 21st, 2012, 05:14 PM	#99
*RMB2007* Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,277 Likes (Received): 229	From Sotosoroto on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sotosoroto/7615441580/

July 21st, 2012, 07:38 PM	#100
KingmanIII Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Killa City, Misery Posts: 2,036 Likes (Received): 7	So do they plan to redo the other grandstand in the future?