You were in Sarajevo in 1983?
St. Rita vs. Brother Rice . . .
- Thread starter Wittymoniker1
- Start date
Facilities are great, but for the most part the rest of campus hasn't been touched since the '70's.
Thanksgiving weekend is quite possibly the worst weekend for these games.
There is definitely an area that isn't what it use to be, but the area around the stadium is nice, convenient and clean.
Plus, beer is cheaper than water inside the stadium (not tonight though).
The Bears will never host these games in Arlington Heights unless the field is turf (doubtful) and the IHSA pays significant rent (Also doubtful).
NIU's campus is extremely dated. It makes EIU look nice and that's saying something. The stadium though I think is the best one to hold the games. With the crowds that attend now NIU makes it more of a High School feel. ISU is not bad either, NIU is closer so they get my vote. Outside of the kids saying they got to play on a Big Ten Field U of I was my least favorite, too big of a stadium for this event
1. why do you say it is doubtful the field is turf, it's going to be a dome.
2. I can see a realistic scenario where the Bears see the value of getting people to the complex to get that exposure.
It is a shame SIU is so far from the population center of state. It would be perfect and I think would provide a great atmosphere.
Without knowing very much about these two teams, I think the clear edge goes to Rita. The Brother Rice coach is wearing shorts on the sideline...the decision making doesn't seem sound.
oline coaches wear shorts no matter the weather, strength coaches wear short sleeves no matter the weather.
I don’t think it will be a dome and ultimately if it happens I’m thinking 65k capacity outdoor w grass field. As far as their benevolence goes they don’t really know the meaning of the word.
This is a great thread for the next 8 months after 8a.
The Bears have said multiple times that any new stadium will have a roof so they can host events year round including Final Fours.
Any new stadium built in Arlington heights will definitely have a roof. And it will be permanent, not retractable. This has been stated before they officially settled on Arlington and again after they re-decided on Arlington.
this is the whole point of the thing. Winter concerts, super bowls, final fours.
You really don’t think the NFL is encouraging and hoping the bears get a premier stadium built?
I mean nobody loves the ownership but this thing is getting built. It will nearly double the valuation of the franchise, which is why the don’t just want to do it. They need to do it.
Yes they have. The sticking point is asking the state for money for the surrounding infrastructure, but the funds are there for the stadium itself.
Yes I think this thing gets built and the NFL should fund it. They haven’t been the bank yet but I think this is the perfect opportunity for them to finance most of it. State of Illinois needs to fund the surrounding infrastructure which they will. A real dome w say 85-100k capacity will cost 5B if done right.
You need to read up on this as it's been publicized countless times. Stadium will be a dome with turf and hold approx. 70k at a cost of around $2B for the stadium itself.
This is the correct answer. Biggest loaner of $ to NFL Teams? The NFL!
The NFL knows how much $ each team brings in yearly, adds a small interest percentage, makes it free $ for them. They know eventually they will get their $ back plus interest!
Good game between Rice and Rita - Rita had some chances. I think the dropped pass in endzone was a killer and if converted would have made for an interesting finish. Rita's 43 is going to be insanely good by the time he's a Senior. Rita really impressed me how they fought way into playoffs and then went on a great run. Losing Armbruster, Jones, Franklin and Lynch is going to be tough. But they have some solid returners - Johnson, Fennell and 43 are solid returnees. Don't know if Fennell is the QB of the future but perhaps a Tommy Mister comes in via the portal and they can keep Fennell at TE
Ya, they need a bill passed for the tax assessment deal and to unlock state financing and they seemed to not be ready when fall session was happening. So another year with no “shovels in ground”….its not getting cheaper to build we know that. Another hurdle not talked about enough is the pushback from IL congressmen about the existing debt on the renovation and what to do with the existing stadium. I give credit to state, don’t get to say that often, for not getting pushed around. I think Warren thought he was going to bully the city/AH/state.
Last edited:
Sorry EIU nicer than NIU? Nope wrong. Not even close. FYI pretty much every campus in the Illinois college system is dated.....Illinois State to me is the best overall but I also like NIU minus the horrible press area...really good people at NIU. Actually SIU would be the ideal set up but we all know that will never happen
Oh the Bears were ready, but the fall veto session is much shorter and as expected Pritzker dragged his feet that he can't even see forcing them to wait until the spring.
I don't follow CCL that closely. What was the deal with BR only beating Iggy 21-13? Did they play the JV that game?
They also have very good underclassmen in the building, which will help.
Congrats on your Crusaders winning 7A. Appreciate the sentiments regarding Rita. It will be very interesting next year at QB. Fennell was the backup this year, so he's next in line. However, he played very well defensively, and as you mentioned, a solid TE. He could be Brandon Johnson's backup at RB--he's that talented.
The soon-to-be Sophomore QB is very talented. I know the coaching staff is very high on this kid. He's got the height, toughness and good arm. However, playing Varsity ball is obviously different and extremely harder than playing Freshmen ball. Maybe a transfer would be a great thing, so Fennell can focus on defense and TE, while the Sophomore-to-be gets some experience and becomes a two-year starter beginning in '27.
Who knows? Maybe Fennell is the guy to lead at QB. It will be interesting for sure.
Last edited:
Wrong again. I would say 95 percent of people who go to NIU for a football game have no idea where the actual campus is located. The dorms and surrounding apartments/area at Huskie Stadium is dated no question.....the campus itself is located across the street and is very nice. I've been to them all within the last year or two and while the best campus is hands down SIU (yes I'm biased) NIU is much nicer than EIU/WIU. Illinois is nice but huge....
Maybe it's because I had a better time hanging out EIU as a youngster I don't know.
Last edited:
i think Rita needs a dual threat guy to get over the hump. Armbruster was a tough runner but not the breakaway speed. If Finnell or the Soph to be aren't the ones then I do see Rita being able to attract a solid public school transfer who wants to play in the best conference in state. The QB from Morgan Park (Smith) would be a good get for Rita
