Rock Hanson Statue

Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:47 am

I don't know any details yet (just got done with the 5k, still at the stadium), but Brad Banner announced at the ceremony before the race that they will be installing a Hanson statue in campus. Don't know where, when, what it'll look like, or how big it will be, but it's going to happen.

Western_101 · Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:51 am

I know where you want it installed Scott

Sat Oct 10, 2015 12:16 pm

RedNeck wrote:I know where you want it installed Scott

hehe...you know it.

Neckfansince71 · Mon Oct 12, 2015 5:27 pm

I am assuming that a Hanson Bronze would look great in the Flag area along with Lee Calhoun! IMO!

jc

Wed Oct 14, 2015 2:43 pm

This article about last weekend's race says a little about the statue in the last paragraph: http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php ... e_id=12978

At this year's event, Bainter announced that retired WIU Vice President for Administrative Services Jackie Thompson and her husband Dave, both WIU alumni, have made a major commitment to fund the creation of a life-size statue of legendary war hero and long-time WIU coach and athletic director Ray "Rock" Hanson to be placed on the Macomb campus. Hanson's determination and persistence, along with his Marine Corps legacy, helped secure The Fighting Leathernecks as WIU's team name. Western remains the only public school in the U.S. with permission to use the Leathernecks as its nickname.

Neckfansince71 · Wed Oct 14, 2015 6:10 pm

I have changed my mind! I think Rock should be centrally located between the union, rec center, and Hanson Field! Students will end up passing by him everyday on their way to class!

sealhall74 · Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:01 pm

More important that the PLAYERS pass by it on their way to the battle field. The might even touch it or maybe an accompanying bronze plaque to get a little extra "mojo" before going to battle.

Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:58 pm

sealhall74 wrote:More important that the PLAYERS pass by it on their way to the battle field. The might even touch it or maybe an accompanying bronze plaque to get a little extra "mojo" before going to battle.

Hmmm, could find a spot just south of the rec center, along the sidewalk that people walk along between Q-lot and the stadium. You'd want it to be far enough north along that sidewalk that the football players would still go past it before peeling off and going through the "side" gate entrance that they usually go through. That way, not only would the football team go past it, but so would everyone going to the football stadium from Q-lot. It also wouldn't be too far from Western Hall and the other sporting areas (since he did have an impact on the entire athletics department).

Neckfansince71 · Thu Oct 15, 2015 10:30 am

Since the university is pretty much staying true to the "strategic plan" I could see it being a part of the athletic quad or varsity walk. There is a spot between the North entrance and Rec. Center where Rock could be placed giving him a good view of Hanson Field. Just a thought! I think this is a great idea!!!!

jc

Thu Oct 15, 2015 11:18 am

Neckfansince71 wrote:Since the university is pretty much staying true to the "strategic plan" I could see it being a part of the athletic quad or varsity walk. There is a spot between the North entrance and Rec. Center where Rock could be placed giving him a good view of Hanson Field. Just a thought! I think this is a great idea!!!! jc

Agreed. I went back and looked at the last master plan document. Here's what that area is "supposed" to look like eventually...maybe:

And here's the same with what is currently there overlaid:

If they essentially put it right at the corner of Q-lot, around where the little quarter-circle gardens are, then it'd be right where the football team and fans both walk to get to the stadium in both the current and future versions.
Then again, depending on how it's set up, they might be able to move it, if necessary (like they did with the Lee Calhoun statue).