Do this and get into a power 4!

[Kowalski]

They had good attendance when I was there in the early 90s. Finish ranked #22 in 1992. Game day was big every home football game, but the we also had Nebraska, Oklahoma, Mizzou and Colorado in the conference. Certainly has been bad at times.

I’m confident Uconn would consistently pack the Rent if they had several ranked conference opponents on the schedule every year. Season ticket sales alone would increase by multiples.

It’s been mentioned that attendance is a chicken or egg argument when it comes to a P4 invite for UConn. Those who oppose it are going to continue to argue they don’t deserve an invite because they don’t consistently fill the Rent. But it’s an unrealistic and unfair expectation given their current lack of conference affiliation & quality of schedule.

 

[Jetskies]

my surely-flawed take:

• CT is showing up to the rent, about as well as can be expected for our recent history and current level of opponents coming to the rent. We are getting better, and seeing 25-30K people at a game is reflective of that. We could be playing in front of 8-12K - just imagine those optics. So... thankful for those who do come and show that uconn is not a complete waste of their fall saturday.
• CT will show up again to pack the rent vs. P4 opponents, if we have a realistic shot to win those games. right now, we don't. I don't expect a packed rent to see current UConn vs. an Ole Miss or similar. UMass had Missouri at home recently, and it still looked like... a UMass game. Meaning, we'd still get ~25K, i think.
• we are doing the right thing chasing WINS right now, even if the competition is CUSA or AAC. If our talent budget is a G6 budget, then that's just what we are; a G6. It's not good or bad; it just IS. You schedule accordingly - there's no point in going 1-11 against a "gorgeous" schedule, with the sole win being against Yale or CCSU - we've seen that movie.
• we should not FILL the schedule with P4s until we are in a P4 ourselves, UNLESS by some miracle we've established our NIL infrastructure to the point where talent-wise, we are absolutely manhandling G6's for multiple years prior to that decision to shift the scheduling philosophy. By manhandling, I mean going 8-0, 7-1 consistently every year against a G6 slate. Ideally by 2+ touchdowns each time, but a win is a win.

 

[Kolumbo]

Our stadium is visible from space! well at least the 2 logistical warehouses are. If that's not college gameday material right there, I don't know what is

 

[KryHavok]

Taken to scale, it sure looks like we can not only put in a stadium but have plenty of parking (not to mention all the student/commuter parking already available). Anyway, an on campus stadium will not bring a P4 invite for us.

 

[CL82]

Taken to scale, it sure looks like we can not only put in a stadium but have plenty of parking (not to mention all the student/commuter parking already available). Anyway, an on campus stadium will not bring a P4 invite for us.
View attachment 112125

No, a stadium won't get us an invite, but an invite might get a stadium.

Nice work on the side-by-side pictures. I don't think anyone would physically put it on horse barn Hill, but maybe just behind it in the UConn Forest. Can you do the same thing using the athletic campus as the comparison?

 

[huskymedic]

… I don't think anyone would physically put it on horse barn Hill, but maybe just behind it in the UConn Forest.

Not likely - read the last paragraph.

https://hbh.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2395/2021/11/uconn-forest-map.pdf

 

[CL82]

Not likely - read the last paragraph.

View attachment 112128

https://hbh.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2395/2021/11/uconn-forest-map.pdf

And Horse Barn Hill itself also seems extraordinarily unlikely to me. So that leaves their athletic campus or the Discovery Drive sites as the two most likely. As you know, I prefer the athletic campus site because of proximity to the Burton and Shenkman buildings. Plus, the football parking area would be available to use for other athletic events.

 

[superjohn]

The Rent is at the most convenient place in the State. And the folks who give big bucks in addition to the legislature want it right where it is. It's not gonna change.

If that's the case UConn doesn't belong playing big time college football.

 

[RSTuthill]

If that's the case UConn doesn't belong playing big time college football.

Really???

 

[KryHavok]

Nice work on the side-by-side pictures. I don't think anyone would physically put it on horse barn Hill, but maybe just behind it in the UConn Forest. Can you do the same thing using the athletic campus as the comparison?

Thanks, here is what I think you were looking for. Again, both are to the same scale. The size of "D Lot" on the right is about 500 ft, approximately the same width as the 500 ft marker indicated on the left legend in the Rent pic. A stadium the size of the Rent can easily be accommodated in the Separatist Tract (for better visualization, I used an Infinity Gaunlet to snap in the Rent at exact size).

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Thanks, here is what I think you were looking for. Again, both are to the same scale. The size of "D Lot" on the right is about 500 ft, approximately the same width as the 500 ft marker indicated on the left legend in the Rent pic. A stadium the size of the Rent can easily be accommodated in the Separtist Tract (for better visualization, I used an Infinity Gaunlet to snap in the Rent at exact size).
View attachment 112141

We already had one of those:

Thread 'Inevitable'

Apr 8, 2024

• FfldCntyFan
• Replies: 5
• Forum: UConn Men's Basketball Forum

• 
• 

 

[CL82]

Thanks, here is what I think you were looking for. Again, both are to the same scale. The size of "D Lot" on the right is about 500 ft, approximately the same width as the 500 ft marker indicated on the left legend in the Rent pic. A stadium the size of the Rent can easily be accommodated in the Separtist Tract (for better visualization, I used an Infinity Gaunlet to snap in the Rent at exact size).
View attachment 112141

Perfect, thanks! I envisioned the field orientation rotated about 90° and the stadium pushed up a little closer behind Elliott. That is the area that seems to make the most sense to me given the proximity to the existing football facilities.

Of course, nothing is going to happen in the near term, but it's good to dispel the myth that a stadium won't fit on campus.

 

[Kolumbo]

I'm not nearly as concerned about it anymore because "Big Time Football" is more and more about the P2. Everyone else is part of a fluid cluster of ever-changing conferences. Oregon State at 0-6 is one of the best brands in the evolving PAC/MWC. you got your bcu's who should join similar programs to be competitive. fans want regional conferences rather than these cross-country money grabs.

UConn keeps building on campus taking away available land for a stadium. Rentschler Field may also become more limited as it offers land to businesses. I'd love to see an on-campus stadium and enjoy the entire football & campus experience, no matter who UConn is playing, but it's not going to happen because we just can't figure out how to do things properly in CT.

The Hartford Athletic have a reconstructed stadium in Hartford which has plans to be expand to 15k. The stadium hosts 17 home Hartford Athletic games, high school soccer, and festivals. That's smart.

Penn State offers the perfect blueprint for an on-campus stadium in a rural setting. Just look at all that parking! UConn will never have that but we won't be in the Big Ten either. We could have say 30% of that very easily if we wanted to.

 

[CL82]

I'm not nearly as concerned about it anymore because "Big Time Football" is more and more about the P2. Everyone else is part of a fluid cluster of ever-changing conferences. Oregon State at 0-6 is one of the best brands in the evolving PAC/MWC. you got your bcu's who should join similar programs to be competitive. fans want regional conferences rather than these cross-country money grabs.

UConn keeps building on campus taking away available land for a stadium. Rentschler Field may also become more limited as it offers land to businesses. I'd love to see an on-campus stadium and enjoy the entire football & campus experience, no matter who UConn is playing, but it's not going to happen because we just can't figure out how to do things properly in CT.

The Hartford Athletic have a reconstructed stadium in Hartford which has plans to be expand to 15k. The stadium hosts 17 home Hartford Athletic games, high school soccer, and festivals. That's smart.

Penn State offers the perfect blueprint for an on-campus stadium in a rural setting. Just look at all that parking! UConn will never have that but we won't be in the Big Ten either. We could have say 30% of that very easily if we wanted to.

View attachment 112148

I love Penn State's athletic campus. That was very smart development.

 

[Kolumbo]

I love Penn State's athletic campus. That was very smart development.

Campus maps are great. I was just looking at The Hotchkiss School. It was ranked as the best private school in America by niche.com. Lakes, hills, surrounded by a golf course, and just down the road from Lime Rock Park. It's good to be the king. "Just follow the smell of money"

Cam

 

[Fishy]

Perfect, thanks! I envisioned the field orientation rotated about 90° and the stadium pushed up a little closer behind Elliott. That is the area that seems to make the most sense to me given the proximity to the existing football facilities.

Of course, nothing is going to happen in the near term, but it's good to dispel the myth that a stadium won't fit on campus.

We definitely have the room.

We don’t have the money or the will, but we have the room.

 

[LetsGoUC]

They should at least put together some actual plan even if it never happnens. It shows were seruous

 

[CL82]

We definitely have the room.

We don’t have the money or the will, but we have the room.

Agree, in the near term. At some point, over the next five years or so, the state is going to face the question of whether they make a substantial investment in Rentschler Field or whether they invest that money on campus. That debate is worth having.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Agree, in the near term. At some point, over the next five years or so, the state is going to face the question of whether they make a substantial investment in Rentschler Field or whether they invest that money on campus. That debate is worth having.

Considering the state has spent the past few decades slapping band aids on the Civic Center I believe I can safely predict the result of that debate.

 

[RSTuthill]

Considering the state has spent the past few decades slapping band aids on the Civic Center I believe I can safely predict the result of that debate.

Debates like that happen in the legislature "cloak rooms". They have probably already happened. I assure you, there is a plan. It will be revealed shortly after UConn gets a bid in 2030 or 2031.

 

[Kolumbo]

Agree, in the near term. At some point, over the next five years or so, the state is going to face the question of whether they make a substantial investment in Rentschler Field or whether they invest that money on campus. That debate is worth having.

We all know that Rentschler Field is our home for the foreseeable future and that it is going to require constant investment, repair and upgrades. They still must do the responsible due diligence and explore the options for an on-campus stadium - potential location, costs, etc. The future is too uncertain to bank on putting all eggs in the Rentschler basket. They need to know what Plan B is because Plan A is far from ideal. If they haven't done or aren't going to do that due diligence soon, they are grossly incompetent. Always look at best case and worse case no matter how unlikely.

Best Case: Big Ten says you are in but you need a new on-campus stadium. "oh that sucks, we haven't even considered that option. we'll pass"
Worst Case: CR blows it all up and UConn is relegated to FCS. "oh sheet. I guess we can play in Morrone Stadium. Or Trinity Health Stadium"

 

[Kolumbo]

$128 million. That is how much it cost Houston to build TDECU Stadium on the site of Robertson Stadium. Construction was from 2013-2014.

TDECU Stadium - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[CL82]

Considering the state has spent the past few decades slapping band aids on the Civic Center I believe I can safely predict the result of that debate.

We shall see, although the last "Band-Aid" at the Hartford Civic Center was $145 million. That likely wouldn't buy you a 40,000 seat college football stadium in Connecticut, but it would certainly get you started.

(Keep in mind that a lot of of the new stadium "bells and whistles" we already have in Burton and Shenkman.)

 

[Kolumbo]

It has recently been brought to my attention that the area near Ted's and Farmer Brown's lot is no longer the cultural center it once used to be. That whole section could be used for the football stadium. Or better yet, since Burton already has the locker room and facilities, put the stadium right adjacent to Burton so those locker rooms could be used on game day.

 

[Kolumbo]

It has more recently been brought to my attention that there is now already a building on Farmer Brown's lot across from Ted's. A Science Research Center

 

[huskymedic]

It has recently been brought to my attention that the area near Ted's and Farmer Brown's lot is no longer the cultural center it once used to be. That whole section could be used for the football stadium. Or better yet, since Burton already has the locker room and facilities, put the stadium right adjacent to Burton so those locker rooms could be used on game day.

More recent overhead view:

 

[ArtTheFan]

1. So improve and widen 195. And maybe 44 too.
2. Easy fix, remove the people of Mansfield from Mansfield so that they stop being an impediment. If they want to live in a Podunk nowhere, there's plenty in surrounding towns. State could step in and build whatever most annoys those people. A nuclear plant. A skyscraper. Whatever.
3. Because East Hartford is and has always been, ass. Connecticut is not exactly setting the world on fire. Huge development, nightlife district and innovation centers built around UConn would be a draw.

3. Because East Hartford is and has always been, ass. Connecticut is not exactly setting the world on fire. Huge development, nightlife district and innovation centers built around UConn would be a draw.

The government of East Hartford been mismanaged since 1988. I was on the Republican Town Committee and we weren't doing anything to help East Hartford. The Democrats knew that the Republicans were weak, so they really didn't do much either.

Looking back, when the stadium was being built, we had a plan with retail, housing and restaurants along with a business incubator center. So far, after 25 years, Bass Pro, the stadium and two warehouses are built. Silver Lane was supposed to be revitalized, but nothing came out of it.

That said, I doubt 195 or 44 will ever get rebuilt. I doubt Bolton or Coventry will like 44 expanded without some benefits that will help their citizens.