Hanson Field - The New West Side

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WIU0812
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I am not sure what is more import since the football building would bring in better players and in turn put a better team on field which then would eventually bring butts to the seats. It would also would alleviate a lot of space in Western Hall to be used to advance other sports. On the other hand I completely agree that the West Stands are terrible and falling apart. It would be a disaster if something did happen and someone sued. Also, the new stands could also be a huge focal point to walk past with new students even non-athletes. I am still shocked that even in the poor situation Western has been in regarding enrollment that little to no fundraising efforts or news has been released in 3 years after renderings were made public. I am less upset about the change from west stands to a football building and more upset that ideas keep being talked about, but no action to raise funds seems to be happening. I believe it was first mentioned that fundraising for the west stands would likely be a 3 or 4 year process, but we are on year 3 after that discussion and still haven't heard much in way of a campaign for funds. Perhaps there is more going on behind the scenes, but seems like we would have heard something.
leatherneckcountry
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We have to remember that there have been lots of changes since this was brought up. A current president search, a new board, a new coach and an AD that’s bringing a nice check hasn’t seemed to do anything since taking over but she’s cheaper than any other option.
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WIU0812
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Very true there has been a large number of changes throughout pretty much the entire university. Would be nice to see them do a separate athletic master plan and take input same as they did the previous university master plan. I know I have seen a athletics facility specific master plan for many other colleges and it would help navigate during changes and keep things on schedule.
wiu712
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Addressing the Life Safety issues with the west-side stands needs to be the top priority.
meganeck
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Maybe I missed it but I thought there was supposed to be a press conference for the new AD. Has she made any kind of statements or any interviews as to what her visions are for WIU Athletics.

Also I agree their needs to be some sort of public announcement about fundraising for the football "complex" upgrade. I assuming there hasn't been because of the current funding situation at WIU and how it would probably look bad. I agree the look might be bad but the facilities decline isn't a good look either and like Tere said a lawsuit wouldn't be good either.
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WIU0812
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Agreed, I would have to think fixing what we currently have would take priority, but I would settle for any progress
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ST_Lawson
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I literally have no knowledge if this is true and I haven't heard anything from anyone regarding this, but I had a thought the other day regarding football building and/or stadium improvements...

Something you often see at universities is wealthy alumni getting more involved in things...getting honorary degrees...getting special recognition...getting named grand marshal of parades, etc. when they are making a substantial donation to the university. Well, this year's Homecoming Grand Marshall is one of the most well-known (for better or for worse) and financially successful alumni that we have, at least in the business arena...Robert Nardelli: http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php ... e_id=16644
Nardelli also happens to have been a former captain on the football team, playing from '68-'70.

So, as I said, I don't have any inside knowledge of anything, but I wonder if we might see substantial movement on one of these projects in the near future?

A guy can hope, right?
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Necks2003
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ST_Lawson wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:45 pm I literally have no knowledge if this is true and I haven't heard anything from anyone regarding this, but I had a thought the other day regarding football building and/or stadium improvements...

Something you often see at universities is wealthy alumni getting more involved in things...getting honorary degrees...getting special recognition...getting named grand marshal of parades, etc. when they are making a substantial donation to the university. Well, this year's Homecoming Grand Marshall is one of the most well-known (for better or for worse) and financially successful alumni that we have, at least in the business arena...Robert Nardelli: http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php ... e_id=16644
Nardelli also happens to have been a former captain on the football team, playing from '68-'70.

So, as I said, I don't have any inside knowledge of anything, but I wonder if we might see substantial movement on one of these projects in the near future?





A guy can hope, right?

If nothing else...at least it gets him on campus to see how run down the West side currently is.
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WIU0812
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Would be good time to announce a new project while everyone is there and if you did have any major donors it would get them some real recognition with the crowds in town homecoming weekend.
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WIU0812
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Anyone ever know what happened with this? Did they ever start fundraising or looking for private funding?
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