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I think this is my favorite "free throw distraction" video:
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I haven't heard much about any other improvements or anything, but what I do has more to do with projects that are "in-progress" or completed usually. Once it gets warm again and they start working on other things, I'll be sure to let you guys know what I see going on around campus.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Was at the game tonight. Here's some video of the new board in action:
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Also, another still photo:
BTW, they are plenty bright. Actually, with the lights around the edges out...just about perfect. There's obviously more they can do with them to "include" them in the game events and stuff, but I think they look great and they're going to be able to do a ton with them.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Hey ST, I remember you said you had seen new renderings to the West Side of the stadium. I know you can not give away all of the secrets to this until it is made public, but is there any chance you can let us know if they at least moved it up to the edge of fence and did not leave a 30 foot gap wasted walking space in front of stands pushing them farther from field. This was a suggestion I submitted prior to the design phase to Tommy Bell as I think most people would agree the close to play the better.
WIU0812 wrote:Hey ST, I remember you said you had seen new renderings to the West Side of the stadium. I know you can not give away all of the secrets to this until it is made public, but is there any chance you can let us know if they at least moved it up to the edge of fence and did not leave a 30 foot gap wasted walking space in front of stands pushing them farther from field. This was a suggestion I submitted prior to the design phase to Tommy Bell as I think most people would agree the close to play the better.
Well, I can tell you what the renderings show, but I have no confirmation that these are exactly what they're going to go with, or that there won't be modifications down the road. At this point. the area where there is currently seating on the West side is exactly where there is seating in the new renderings...same size, shape, number of sections. I would assume that they'd have to tear out the old concrete and completely redo it, but what they're showing currently, the seating is in the same location...with essentially the same distance between the fence and the front of the stands.
The big difference between what we have now and what the renderings show is what is "behind" the main seating area (new press box, more seating, etc.)
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Very true, I am sure the final decision will have changes made to it, I just do not understand why the insist in having this blank concrete area between the stands and the track. All of the cheerleaders and people that are associated with the event stay on the track for most part. I like the more modern style of entering the stands through tunnels from under the stands and having them as close as possible. I am not sure how much more money this would cost to have this style.
You know what NASCAR has that football does not? If you go to a NASCAR event, ALL (and I do mean all) of your senses are utilized to experience the event. Of course, the cars are fast and loud and the stands shake as they rumble by but you can also smell them (or at least the burning oil and rubber). I want to be so damn close to the field that I can smell the Cramergesic and if the smell of sweaty jockstraps finds its way into the ambiance, so be it. I went to Chicago Cubs game way back in early 90s and had a row 2 seat less than 10 feet from batter's warmup circle next to Cub dugout. The smell of the pine tar is what I most remember about that game. They were playing the Marlins that day but I couldn't tell you who won it was so long ago.
Closer the better! Let's hope the city gets their new project that will help WIU goes better. They placed out for bid today the widening and improvements to Adams Street from Lafayette (67) to Johnson Street. This the first of two phases. The second goes from Johnson to Charles improving the entrance to Sherman Hall and the south side of school. They are also making one of the alley ways concrete and I am not sure if it will be for only bikes or not, but they are going to make it a sort of bike trail beginning from what I heard.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
