Collegiate Stadiums

Collegiate Stadiums

NCAA FBS College Football Stadiums, Attendance, Stats, History & Travel Blog

Stadium Update – Idaho Kibbie Dome

The Kibbie Dome was renovated this summer. I will provide some pictures first and then the full press release. All pictures and info below are via GoVandals.com and if you need even more info, click here.

 

An early picture of the Kibbie Dome renovation

The picture above is from a set of 19 photos released on May 23rd, which you can access here.

 

A photo of the new suites in the Kibbie Dome

 The photo above is from a facebook photo album released on July 6th.

An outside shot of the Kibbie Dome after one of the crane's were removed

 

A shot of the almost completed suites in the Kibbie Dome

 19 more facebook album photos showing the Kibbie Dome much closer to completion.

Finished suites in the Kibbie Dome

And finally the full press release.

In June 2010, the Board of Regents of the University of Idaho approved the institution’s proposal to move forward with plans to transform the iconic ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center by giving the nod to construction and other improvements to enhance the event experience in the Dome. These enhancements will be privately funded through gifts and pledges raised through University Advancement. The project will be complete in time for the 2011 football season, and will create enhanced seating and revenue opportunities for both athletic and non-athletic uses in the Dome. Features of the project include:
The existing press box will be relocated to the north side of the Kibbie Dome. The new media and operations box, which will remain named the “Bob Curtis Press Box”, will be roughly the same size as the existing, but will improve operational functionality and make needed upgrades to the telecommunications, video, and audio infrastructure. The box will be cantilevered over the north seating area from the existing concrete structure and will include two new stairways and ADA access via a wheelchair lift.
The walls of the existing press box on the south side will be removed, and the floor will be extended outwards, to create the open, upper level Bud & June Ford Club Room. The Club level will accommodate food and beverage service, restrooms, and gathering space for premium seat & suite buyers. New stairways and an elevator will service the upper level Club. The edge of the new Club level will feature a row of loge seating boxes.
Eight new Premium Suites, along with a new President’s Suite, will be created along the top edge of Seating Sections 4 through 8. These suites will be available for private party or corporate purchase, and will also have access to the Bud & June Ford Club Room.
New rows of premium club seating will replace existing seating at the top of Sections 5 through 6. There will be 232 new club seats, and each club seat will have access to the Bud & June Ford Club Room.

To accommodate construction activities, the entire Kibbie Dome will be closed to public, staff, and student access starting on March 7th 2011. We realize this is an inconvenience to many users, but the extent of construction within the Dome interior requires that we prohibit dome use for the safety of the users as well as the construction crews. The Dome will partially reopen in time for fall varsity football practice, and will open to public and student use by the start of Fall Semester 2011. The Vandal Athletic Center and Athletic offices will remain open for the duration of construction.

Construction materials and equipment are vital parts of this project and they will be staged in the parking lots in and around the Kibbie Dome. Lot 31 and other select areas on east side of the Kibbie Dome will be closed. Lot 51 at the southwest corner of the Dome will be closed for general use. Lot 57 will remain open through the end of the 2011 Spring Semester. Please remember that access roads and areas in and around the Kibbie Dome will part of an active construction site and non-construction access can change without notice.

To learn more about availability and other information regarding the Premium Seating Options, please contact the University of Idaho Ticket Office, or visit www.govandals.com.

Ending Two-A-Days

I appologize to all who were actually following along on my two-a-days, but due to some unkind comments I had to end my predictions. They were done completely in fun, not to gather page views, but some just couldn’t accept my predictions for what they were. I’ve got better things to do then deal with nasty messages, so I will resort to generic conference rankings and a top 25.

Interesting Links

I have a collection of links that I have been meaning to post and I never seem to get around to it, so that is my goal today, to basically “dump” all of the links into a post. Then I will try to make it a daily or every other day type of post on my site so the links are more relevant. Sorry this one is so long, but it is what I selected after sorting through over 1,200 bookmarked links.

Of course, lets start with my first ever guest column, which covered Michie stadium for Crystal Ball Run.

The Fiesta Bowl has been taking hotel kickbacks just like every other bowl does. Not sure why it is a surprise but here is the story.

Howard Schnellenberger retired and FAU put together a nice slideshow of his career, while smart football wrote this nice article. If you want a different take on Schnellenberger, try this story from Andrea Adelson or the official release from FAU.

Phil Steele has released his bowl projections for 2011.

This story just proves that USC believes that they are the pro team in LA and are using their Coliseum lease to keep the NFL away.

Here is a story about the King and his strikeout call which I got to experience when I met him the other week.

Michael Felder explains on Crystal Ball Run why the Pro offense is still the best.

Kristi Dosh explains here take on what the final conference expansion will look like, and it is really good.

A story on how John Aderhold is the reason the Georgia Dome actually got built.

Here is a simple one, Sports Illustrated’s preseason top 25.

Jenni Carlson gave us this great Boone Pickens story.

Virginia Tech is having a special ceremony for Frank Beamer before the Appalachian State game for 25 years as Head Coach.

Surprise! James Laurinitis used HGH. Shock!

John Infante always does good work, but this really shows the issue with the NCAA.

Tony Barnhart explains how the SEC and ACC will not go to 9 conference games, which I wish the B1G would re-consider. Unbalanced conference schedules are just plain silly.

Ralph Nader is a different person, and now he plans to sue the BCS.

Picture provided by Jay Paterno of the 1975 Sugar Bowl press conference held at a Howard Johnson hotel

Another great story from Kristi Dosh on why athlete’s are never going to get paid.

Awesome post from eyeandear on 25 hated figures in college football history.

Brian Ewart might focus on Villanova hoops but he nails conference expansion talk here.

A collaboration from Andy Staples and Stewart Mandel as they give us 10 reasons to love college football.

Gregg Doyle is dead wrong in this story if you ask me. I don’t understand how it is good to ban twitter or other social media. Jenni Carlson explains why the athlete’s should be allowed to use twitter.

Lost Letterman took a look at what happened to the guy who stalked Erin Andrews.

A cool photo of the Liberty Bowl taken by Kevin Reed and shown on capturememphis.com

 Beyond the Bets has released his predicted points spreads for all 796 FBS games.

Real neat story on the last words from the late Randy Walker to Dan Persa from Thayer Evans.

I hope Notre Dame promptly fired who every designed those helmets

The above photo is from Lost Letterman which appears in this story about the terrible shamrock helmet of 1959.

Michael Felder again here with his take on how hard training camp really is. I’ll trust him on this since he played for UNC.

Another surprise from an Ohio State guy, according to ESPN, Gordon Gee would rather save his job than do things the right way.

UNC boosters are thinking about suing the athletic department because they believe that Butch Davis was only retained as long as he was to help raise funds from alumni.

Allen Kenney takes a look at why the Longhorn Network will kill the Big XII.

Kristi Dosh tells us why you better be ok with being poor at first if you want to work in sports.

Jerel Worthy shows off his tattoo of Sparty slaying the Michigan wolverine

A very troubling story about agents and how schools and coaches manipulate their players.

A video from the 1940 Mississippi State game at Alabama.

A good story by Matt Zemek called “The Pressure of Poverty” which shows the opposite side of his “The Pressure of Prosperity” article.

USA Today article on why you keep getting those annoying calls to buy season tickets. Temple and Syracuse are the worst in my experience from the 17 or so schools and bowls who contact me every year.

The NCAA plans on having an agent registration program. Question is, what took them so dang long????

Spencer Hall of EDSBS made it on the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN Radio. Here’s the audio.

The Iron Bowl was used by police to track down dead beat dads and arrest them. Watch the video, it is worth your time.

George Schroeder, who has the best twitter avatar ever, delivers a great story on how the PAC 12 might not be in a good position to expand anymore.

Michael Felder explains better than I did why polls are outdated and should be changed.

I’m sure you all saw the “JT” wristbands that the Ohio State players were wearing. Here is a story on why Ohio State took them away. Personally I think they should have just said “Cheat.”

 

A photo of the "JT" Jim Tressel wrist bands

 

A site that is quickly becoming one of my favorite, eyeandear again with 10 coaches who will not make it to February.

Georgia announced that they are a few years late to the party and finally got a fan text system at Sanford Stadium.

Another story on why nine-game conference schedules are no good.

Bryan Fischer wrote this story on how Colorado lost their way in football and how head coach John Embree plans to rebuilt the program gold brick by gold brick. John Embree also gave CBS is take on paying players, which he things should be done after they graduate.

New logo of the Famous Idaho Potato BowlOn the way home from Big East Media Day, I told Kevin McGuire that I hoped they named the Idaho Bowl the Potato Bowl and well, they didn't disappoint.Kristi Dosh shows us why athletic departments are broke, they overspend on facilities.Iowa sued Southern Miss for having a similar logo and won.Iowa defeated Southern Miss in court for having a similar logo

 Boise State agreed to not wear blue-on-blue uniforms at home for conference games, but the Mountain West doesn’t have a penalty if Boise State wears them. Apparently they can’t wear all orange either.

At Big East media day, the print media portion of coach interviews were winding down right as I was about to get a one-on-one with Skip Holtz. Then I looked up and Pete Thamel of the NY Times came over and I gave up my spot since he is a better reporter. This isn’t the story from the Holtz quotes, but it is a good story on the Big East and how they are going to get a large amount of money for their TV contract.

Kevin McGuire wrote this story on his Big East media day experience at the clambake.

Bryan from PittScript wrote this story outlining the relationship between the head coaches of WVU and Pitt.

A fluff piece on how cheeseburger lover Charlie Weis blamed Florida for eating his cheeseburgers. 

The Big East wants to poach Maryland and Boston College. I guess they like schools that can’t sell out small football stadiums.

Felder again with a guide to make you a better fan.

John Infante again with a “just do it” story on making student athletes just athletes. He believes that the majority of fans will not even notice and thus, still show up in large numbers.

Andy Staples loves college football and BBQ. Since he gets paid to write about college football, he is giving us his BBQ advice for free. Read it, study it, and enjoy it. You can’t go wrong listening to the guy who directed me to the greatest food I have ever eaten, Archibald’s in Tuscaloosa.

Bo Pelini still blames the Big XII refs for the Nebraska loss against Texas A&M. Funny that A&M is now sticking it to the Big XII.

A story by Pat Forde on yard markers. It’s much better than it sounds.

One of the best panels ever put together on the issues with college football.

Eric LeGrand still wants kickoffs.

UCF is so desperate for fans that George O’Leary asked fans of other schools to support his team after their games are over. So sad…

The Mountain West may be going broke.

Ohio State needs to look at the Oregon compliance department and learn how to track memorabilia.

Year2 looks at if defense or offense sells tickets. A great analysis.

Joe Posnanski on why people stay loyal to college teams.

Tim Hyland wrote a great piece on why he can’t wait for college football season to begin.

Aaron Torres scored a podcast with Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo.

Andy Staples gave us CASH, now he gives us LOOT.

Navy and Notre Dame have extended their contract through the 2026 season.

The B1G came up with this logo for their Championship Game

 Pat Forde explains why college athlete’s really aren’t as poor as everyone makes them out to be.

Here is a look at what might happen to college sports if the NCAA folds.

Another reason why Lane Kiffin is one of the worst coaches in FBS, or why you shouldn’t go for two very often.

Smart Football with a long story on the theory of football offenses.

A very accurate story on how Maryland isn’t a football school and a story on the Maryland’s athletic department is broke.

Probably the most important story in years and almost no one has talked about it. The Virginia Tech helmet study.

The Price of Victory in college football from Black Heart Gold Pants.

FO College gives this look at why Keith Jackson is his favorite. Since Jackson is my favorite announcer of all time, I loved the article.

A ticket from the 1952 Senior Bowl

 It’s a basketball story, but Kristi Dosh explains how a coach can bring in millions for an athletic department.

USC has had traveler as a mascot for 50 years. Here is a story about traveler’s history.

Traveler has been USC's mascot for 50 years

 If you want more mascot history, here is the history of the Lobo at New Mexico.

An old photo of the New Mexico Lobo mascot

 SmokingMusket gave a great look at future WVU schedules and why they like to play in NFL stadiums.

Brian Grummell of CFBPundit gave his top 10 college football coaches and his bottom 10.

The trophy for the Hawaii versus Wyoming rivalry is missing. Below is a picture just incase you happen to find it.

A picture of the missing Paniolo trophy, awarded to the winner of the Hawaii versus Wyoming game

 Aaron Torres had one of the best articles of the summer on what if Tim Tebow had played at Alabama.

Idaho came up with this great Mark Schlereth bobblehead

 I consider this the best of all the articles I have read from John Infante. It basically talks about how it is time for schools to decide if they are either in or out of the NCAA.

Utah provided a link that has every media guide since 1948!

Felder put all the current FBS programs into tiers.

 Finally, all the way from basketball season, Kristi Dosh shows how the B1G shares ticket revenue. Something most conferences don’t do.

Uniform Update: Louisiana Lafayette

The other day, Louisiana Lafayette released these new uniforms. I don’t think they look that bad and they seem to follow the current popular model of two different colored tops and three different colors of pants for multiple uniform color options. I really like both the red and white tops with the white pants.

Front shot of the new Louisiana Lafayette uniforms for 2011

Back of the 2011 Louisiana Lafayette uniforms

Close-up shot of the 2011 Lousiana Lafayette uniforms

If you want to check out the entire photo shoot, visit this link. If you do check out the link, you will see that it appears they will only use a red helmet just like past seasons.