Spangler Stadium

[gwalphachiba]

Anything need changed or updated at football stadium?
(e.i., new track stadium, lower level seats extended to goal lines on home side, club seats filled on game days, etc.)

[gwebb1994]

G-W just spent much $$$ in improvements not too long ago. Expansion of seating shouldn't be considered until we learn to fill all the seating we have on a consistent basis.

I am one who believes football should be played on natural grass. However, in the case of G-W, we should really consider installing field-turf. Our field conditions are a consistent embarrassment, and drainage has always been a problem dating back to the 80's.

[elcid83]

94, I agree. I prefer the grass field, but our field looked terrible last year and the condition of the turf was worse. The rye grass overseed did not take last year and there were home games where the field was soaking wet from the irrigation system. The game is hard enough for our boys without having to slosh through artificially created mud.

Last season the team played on turf at Akron, Sam Houston State, Old Dominion, Liberty, and Stony Brook. I expect this trend to continue.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[gwalphachiba]

1) Current need:
To open food and beverage concessions under GWU home side upper section at least one hour before kickoff. For the Libby game it did not open until about 20 minutes before kickoff, and lines were long.

2) Suggestion for about 2013, 2014, or 2015 if team looks to be heading for winning seasons again:
Extend the home side lower level seats stands down to the goal line. This would allow GWU students and GWU fans to sit beside the very critical part of the field and make some noise to help the Runnin' Bulldogs score (or stop a score on defense). The current lower level seats stop at the 15 yard line. The new seating would have to be built with some angle, so fans can see more of the field. Only would need some labor, steel, concrete, and aluminum for this upgrade. If the section is designated properly then people will sit there. Until these two new sections are built, GWU fans should be able to sit on blankets on the home side hills and cheer.

A parallel push to get more Bulldog Club fans could help fund this construction project. These new BC fans could move into the current reserved ticket sections.

Upgrade the football practice fields with team needs.

3) Some time in the future suggestions:
A) Going to artificial turf would be good, but it is expensive project, and may only last 10-15 years. I'm guessing that the practice fields would also need to be made artificial turf too. The most recent expansion costs probably dictate when this could be considered. More GWU students and alums will need to come to games to fill seats & make noise, which could help sell more tickets and allow a small increase in ticket prices to cover the turf costs.

B) Move the Big South team flags and flag poles to the top of the press box building that sits behind the upper level fans seats, and place them in calendar date order of the teams that GWU will play for the season - which will show order, and which teams will be played for conference games - and look more like FBS universities.

4) Long-term dreams, options:
May need to build a new track & field stadium (500 seats or so) on campus, or on new land.
Then later, start adding football stadium end zone Bulldog Club seats if demand is high enough. This could help GWU scoring.

Eventually, get all Bulldog Club seats to actual wide stadium chair seats, with cup holders.

And, an indoor practice facility some day.

[gwebb1994]

The field turf idea should be pursued with vigor. It would run around $750-$900K. A consistent field for every home game regardless of weather conditions would be a nice thing. Add in a field turf practice field and it would be a plus for recruiting.

Seating is not a pressing issue at all until we fill what we already have on a consistent basis. This is why a new arena shouldn't be a high priority. Paul Porter serves our needs well, provides a cozy atmosphere for the size crowds we draw, and provides an excellent home court advantage when the students pack the Dawg Pound.

The concession issue sounds easily rectified, just get people in place a bit earlier, problem solved.

[elcid83]

I will say that the field this year is in much better shape than it was last year. Even the practice field is in better shape than it was last year. It is my understanding that GW has hired a new turf superintendent. He actually cuts the football field right after a home game. I've heard our AD prefers natural grass and I agree if it is properly maintained [which is difficult on a limited budget]. One problem I would foresee with a turf field would be the use of the football field for other sports, ie. soccer - which is how many smaller schools justify the initial expense.

I believe our biggest concern should be with our scoreboard/sound system. Coastal had a really nice sound system built into their scoreboard. Their scoreboard is not much bigger than ours, but the audio is much better than ours. We should be able to make our audio system much better with little expense and that is something that would really enhance the fans' experience.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[unk96]

Maybe they should have used some of the money they used to buy those freaking speakers that they blast music so loud before a game you cant even talk with each other. Dang, cant they cut that crap down.

[cisco14]

Improve sound system ---- , especially so upper sections can hear lower section announcements, cheerleaders, band.

[gwalphachiba]

Some FBS stadium capacities under 30,000 seats (Wiki):

Northern Illinois 25,500
Kent St 25,000
Bowling Green (OH) 23,724
Florida Int. 23,500
Toledo (OH) 26,248
West. Kentucky 22,000
Idaho 16,000
Nevada 29,993
Ohio 24,000
Ball St (IN) 22,500
Buffalo (NY) 29,013
Miami (OH) 24,286

FBS stadium power rankings 2011 :

bleacherreport.com/articles/668155-college-football-2011-power-ranking-all-120-college-football-stadiums