Football Field Suites are coming to Rutgers Football, SHI Stadium

[RU206]

Build field suites in the north endzone. It will bring in more revenue even in bad weather games. North end zones seats don’t fill up for most games.

I know someone who works for a charity in NJ. She and many local charities gets free RU tickets for most games and they are always in the north Endzone. Instead of using the North Endzone as a charity give away section, turn it into a luxury seating area, even if the means reducing regular seats in the North Endzone by 20%.
If the new coach can turn things around and win some games, the west side can get suites and the section in the student section needs to be turned into a revenue generator.

 

[RU#1fan]

I’m sure. But I wouldn’t be a buyer. Much rather be in the club section.

There will be huge interest in field level boxes….close to the action. The experience is what it is all about vs. a better view from the Club Seats. Will probably lose ten rows of seats in the North end zone to construct these Suites. However replacing those $40 seats with 300 Field Box seats at $500 per is a financial win for RU. $1 million dollar revenue stream annually..minimum

 

[RU#1fan]

The Canon signifies our status as a colonial institution and the role of New Brunswick in the Revolutionary War. Getting rid of it is stupid.

Those days are long past. Fans today don’t give 2 sh#ts about revolutionary replicas. Modern scoreboards / sound effects generate the motivating atmosphere needed. Time to move on from the Cannon.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I get it but it looks horrendus
At least build Field Suites there or do something go generate revenue (like SC did) instead of leaving it empty w/the high school look
It doesn't look as bad as USC (before the build the thing in the back), but it looks pretty ****** nonetheless

You might be the only person on Earth who thinks it “looks horrendous” but it’s your opinion so

 

[sct1111]

Those days are long past. Fans today don’t give 2 sh#ts about revolutionary replicas. Modern scoreboards / sound effects generate the motivating atmosphere needed. Time to move on from the Cannon.

Those aren't mutually exclusive. You can have all that modern stuff but still include tradition.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Regrade both endzones to make them even, not disjointed looking like USC (or put field boxes in the big one)

ZERO need to "regrade" the student (south) endzone. None.

Meant the one endzone - students should be closer to the action though

I get it but it looks horrendus

I answered this above, the North Endzone was supposed to match the South Endzone:

That was part of the expansion plan in 2008-2009 - they were suppose to regrade the North Endzone like how the South Endzone is, which would have provided another 2K seats. However when the planned budget was cut from $132 mill to $100 mil due to the mortgage crisis, that part of the expansion was cut out.

The North Endzone also requires more than just a regrade: it is built over the remnants of the old stadium, so there are no supports under it. It needs complete reconstruction to put in a solid foundation.

 

[Leonard23]

Build field suites in the north endzone. It will bring in more revenue even in bad weather games. North end zones seats don’t fill up for most games.

I know someone who works for a charity in NJ. She and many local charities gets free RU tickets for most games and they are always in the north Endzone. Instead of using the North Endzone as a charity give away section, turn it into a luxury seating area, even if the means reducing regular seats in the North Endzone by 20%.
If the new coach can turn things around and win some games, the west side can get suites and the section in the student section needs to be turned into a revenue generator.

Why build suites in the north end zone rather than the west side?

 

[RU#1fan]

Why build suites in the north end zone rather than the west side?

They are not mutually exclusive.
North side is field level …West side above the concourse.

 

[RU#1fan]

Those aren't mutually exclusive. You can have all that modern stuff but still include tradition.

Not if it impedes the progress of the Stadium upgrades. Cannon is past it’s usefulness.

 

[Shelby65]

You do realize that that was his choice, don't you? Pre-Schiano the home team was on the press box side: he flipped it because he wanted the cameras in the press box to be focused on the HIM.

FIFY

 

[Shelby65]

There will be huge interest in field level boxes….close to the action. The experience is what it is all about vs. a better view from the Club Seats. Will probably lose ten rows of seats in the North end zone to construct these Suites. However replacing those $40 seats with 300 Field Box seats at $500 per is a financial win for RU. $1 million dollar revenue stream annually..minimum

Huge interest ?? LOL. Good thing you don’t make financial decisions for RU.

 

[Rutgers25]

Huge interest ?? LOL. Good thing you don’t make financial decisions for RU.

it really depends on how close to the end zone they extend the box. If it’s right on top of the end zone it might be kind of cool, but if it’s set back as far as the existing seats are today then not very enticing. You need to actually feel like you’re walking out onto the field

 

[Caliknight]

Yeah I really think it would be 1 of the worst decisions ever to get rid of the cannon. It should be on the field. You'd probably have some people give up tickets too. Plenty of other things to do to improve the experience.

Then at least get some vibrant students to do it and get a horse that doesn’t look like it’s on the way to the glue factory. It works at USC because the horse is strong and young. The cannon guys and horse at RU look awful.

 

[Shelby65]

Those days are long past. Fans today don’t give 2 sh#ts about revolutionary replicas. Modern scoreboards / sound effects generate the motivating atmosphere needed. Time to move on from the Cannon.

current traditions were new ideas once. we should have a mechanical Schiano replica swing an axe at a fake tree before every game and during every halftime show.

Keep Choppin’ is the most notable and impactful motto in the history of marketing. Schiano’s astonishing success here is 100% due to his two words known the world over.

It’s helping us win championships and grows the fan base exponentially every year.

We get hundreds of millions in revenue every year licensing the motto to companies, money that allows Schiano to add new coaches, sometimes even during games.

Our future as a top program is guaranteed if we maximize Keep Choppin usage.

“Keep Choppin Stadium”, “Keep Choppin Marching Band”, “Keep Choppin Fieldhouse” Axe logo at midfield, etc.

 

[Shelby65]

it really depends on how close to the end zone they extend the box. If it’s right on top of the end zone it might be kind of cool, but if it’s set back as far as the existing seats are today then not very enticing. You need to actually feel like you’re walking out onto the field

No, it doesn’t depend. Winning determines popularity and demand for all demographics.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Shelby is a douche who hates Greg Schiano and will to go any lengths to denigrate him including putting words in other peoples' mouths.

FIFY

 

[RUBob75]

FIFY

Spanky: This is one of your best posts ever!!!!

 

[Leonard23]

They are not mutually exclusive.
North side is field level …West side above the concourse.

Not if it impedes the progress of the Stadium upgrades. Cannon is past it’s usefulness.

Any idea/guess on the costs, projected revenue generated and timelines for each? I'd expect the West side to generate considerably more $ if they include suites, club and party deck. No need to move the cannon for field level suites as it'll be no closer than it already is to the fans. Removing the cannon from the field is stupid.

 

[Knight Shift]

Spanky: This is one of your best posts ever!!!!

If everyone ingored the turd, it would dry up and stop stinking up the forum.

 

[Knight Shift]

Any idea/guess on the costs, projected revenue generated and timelines for each? I'd expect the West side to generate considerably more $ if they include suites, club and party deck. No need to move the cannon for field level suites as it'll be no closer than it already is to the fans. Removing the cannon from the field is stupid.

We rented the party deck in 2016 for Ash's Howard debacle.

It's like a giant enclosed deck/porch with a concrete floor. Granted, everything a University does is overpriced with no cost controls, but I could not imagine it being terribly expensive to complete that area into 3 or 4 luxury suites.

 

[Leonard23]

Then at least get some vibrant students to do it and get a horse that doesn’t look like it’s on the way to the glue factory. It works at USC because the horse is strong and young. The cannon guys and horse at RU look awful.

We agree the horse is too slow but I don't see an issue with the cannon crew. Like the Scarlet Knight mascots, it could be good to try to add a couple students to the crew if they're interested.

 

[TankHandsome]

Then at least get some vibrant students to do it and get a horse that doesn’t look like it’s on the way to the glue factory. It works at USC because the horse is strong and young. The cannon guys and horse at RU look awful.

I had to create a new account to respond to this. (My old one didn’t come over in the switch.) The cannon crew is important. A nod to the past. Saying that, it’s needs a refresh. I give kudos to the gentlemen still doing it, but in my opinion, there is so much more that can be done with the crew and game day. Get the crowd involved, yelling “FIRE!” to shoot it off. Make it a larger part of a TD celebration more than the damn train horn or the annoying AF PA announcer. Just my thoughts

 

[iReC89]

Does anyone have a sense of the utilization of existing premium spaces?

I get that there is a market for experiences. I considered a $500 ticket for photography field access for another team I don’t even follow. I think they need to think bigger than endzone boxes.

 

[kupuna133]

We rented the party deck in 2016 for Ash's Howard debacle.

It's like a giant enclosed deck/porch with a concrete floor. Granted, everything a University does is overpriced with no cost controls, but I could not imagine it being terribly expensive to complete that area into 3 or 4 luxury suites.

It’s already roughed in. Plumbing electric etc…. All they would have to do is build out the walls and furnish. Lowest cost option.

 

[Caliknight]

Not if it impedes the progress of the Stadium upgrades. Cannon is past it’s usefulness.

No one can possibly see those old guys and older horse and think wow, that’s awesome.

 

[Knight Shift]

It’s already roughed in. Plumbing electric etc…. All they would have to do is build out the walls and furnish. Lowest cost option.

Rutgers will spend $2M to finish that space.

 

[Shelby65]

FIFY

LOL bluster guy. And dishonest. Shelby knows you realize GS’s uber-arrogance and unchecked ego are completely at odds with his losing legacy.

There’s nary a humble cell in his body. 100% he wants the cameras on him, even during his temper tantrums.

He thinks and acts like RU needs him when the truth is no one but RU ever wanted him and now surely even RU wants him gone.

 

[Leonard23]

It’s already roughed in. Plumbing electric etc…. All they would have to do is build out the walls and furnish. Lowest cost option.

Rutgers will spend $2M to finish that space.

If it was that cheap, it would've been done already. We shouldn't cheap out on this if we expect people to pay premium prices for it. Do it right and put in a nice club, boxes and outdoor seating, like the East side Provident Bank Club, and add an outdoor party deck, so probably $50M-$100M.

 

[RU#1fan]

Huge interest ?? LOL. Good thing you don’t make financial decisions for RU.

This will be completed when we have a new HC.
If you think a new Head Coach like Brian Kelly won’t drive immediate interest in the program you’re out to lunch.

 

[kupuna133]

If it was that cheap, it would've been done already. We shouldn't cheap out on this if we expect people to pay premium prices for it. Do it right and put in a nice club, boxes and outdoor seating, like the East side Provident Bank Club, and add an outdoor party deck, so probably $50M-$100M.

Agreed. Build them out properly. But it’s not going to cost as much and be as disruptive. Shouldn’t have to rip up to run the lines for electric and plumbing. Should be able to build out fairly quickly. From what I understand this is not going to be anything like the provident club. This is going to be individual corporate boxes. 10-15 boxes. Similar to boxes at our competitors. Seating for 15-20 and more intimate than provident. Bank.

 

[Shelby65]

This will be completed when we have a new HC.
If you think a new Head Coach like Brian Kelly won’t drive immediate interest in the program you’re out to lunch.

Who’s the coach “like Brian Kelly” we are certain to get ?

 

[RUTGERS95]

no one is getting rid of the canon, thank God

 

[DJ Spanky]

Shelby blah, blah, blah. Shelby hate Schiano. Schiano bad man, eat puppies. Shelby flick booger at Schiano but miss. Now Shelby must mine nose for new booger. Shelby much sadness.

FIFY!

 

[e5fdny]

Then at least get some vibrant students to do it and get a horse that doesn’t look like it’s on the way to the glue factory. It works at USC because the horse is strong and young. The cannon guys and horse at RU look awful.

We agree the horse is too slow but I don't see an issue with the cannon crew. Like the Scarlet Knight mascots, it could be good to try to add a couple students to the crew if they're interested.

It’s not that the horse is old, as the old one is retired, it’s because he has a “governor” installed. And I’m pretty sure that was at the University’s request. Not sure if it’s because of a warranty issue for the field turf or a liability thing about him going rogue while at a full gallop.

I do like the idea of some updates or changes for the Cannon Crew. Especially the addition of some student representation.

I’d like to see something like they do at Notre Dame with the Irish Guards…students who have to be a certain size. Probably wouldn’t fly here but it would be cool to see a bunch of huge cannoneers.

 

[Knight Shift]

It’s not that the horse is old, as the old one is retired, it’s because he has a “governor” installed. And I’m pretty sure that was at the University’s request. Not sure if it’s because of a warranty issue for the field turf or a liability thing about him going rogue while at a full gallop.

I do like the idea of some updates or changes for the Cannon Crew. Especially the addition of some student representation.

I’d like to see something like they do at Notre Dame with the Irish Guards…students who have to be a certain size. Probably wouldn’t fly here but it would be cool to see a bunch of huge cannoneers.

Can't blame the Governor for the horse issue. . . . .nyuck, nyuck.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Then at least get some vibrant students to do it and get a horse that doesn’t look like it’s on the way to the glue factory. It works at USC because the horse is strong and young. The cannon guys and horse at RU look awful.

Agree about the horse, but I also think it’s the fact that the Knight weighs about 280 pounds; the dude is huge. Do you ever see Texas Tech or Oklahoma State? Those horses come charging out of the ******* gate onto the field, but the guys on top of them are about 150 pounds soaking wet.

 

[LETSGORU91]

Rutgers will spend $2M to finish that space.

Ha! It will cost that much alone to have a feasibility study completed, secure an architect for preliminary drawings and hire a company to solicit bids!! That's before any construction is even initiated.

 

[RU#1fan]

getting rid of the canon, thank God

FIFY

 

[RUTGERS95]

FIFY

it will never be removed, never

 

[RUTGERS95]

It’s not that the horse is old, as the old one is retired, it’s because he has a “governor” installed. And I’m pretty sure that was at the University’s request. Not sure if it’s because of a warranty issue for the field turf or a liability thing about him going rogue while at a full gallop.

I do like the idea of some updates or changes for the Cannon Crew. Especially the addition of some student representation.

I’d like to see something like they do at Notre Dame with the Irish Guards…students who have to be a certain size. Probably wouldn’t fly here but it would be cool to see a bunch of huge cannoneers.

I want a horse and knight akin to FSU!