|
|
Post by yodayote on Aug 13, 2015 13:31:17 GMT -6
And maybe it's just me but if I was a football recruit how excited could I really get if I was going to get to "practice" in a nice new building at Xdsu? I wouldn't care if it was a $400 million building--it's for practice. It is just you, players want to have nice facilities. Practice fields, locker room, meeting rooms, & a players lounge are huge when a young man starts thinking of where they are going to be spending most of their time.
The dome and practice fields are fine. But, when you add up the locker room, no players lounge or decent meeting rooms in the dome the facilities definitely hurt them on the recruiting front.
|
|
|
|
Post by yotemeal on Aug 13, 2015 14:04:14 GMT -6
I've never been inside the UNI-Dome, and it's been my understanding that the DakotaDome was modeled after it. Unfortunately, half a dome is half a dome. Tough to sugar coat that. Finishing the other side would be a huge step in the right direction. As far as other facilities go, I would certainly agree that the DakotaDome, as is, is adequate in the entire scheme of FCS football, but we needn't look far to find much nicer facilities. I hate to keep harping on it, but the new SDSU stadium is a game changer. The psychology of a closed-bowl stadium tells recruits and fans this is serious football - not to mention the amenities, e.g., luxury suites. The Fargo Dome is much, much nicer than the DakotaDome. Montana's stadium is also very nice - big time feel. Frankly, the DakotaDome needs much more than permanent seating on both sides. Needs a total audio-visual upgrade. If possible, I think the east wall needs to be blown out toward the parking area to expand bathrooms, concessions, etc. There's a lot that needs to be done.
And as mentioned in other threads, this isn't just about having adequate facilities for FCS. Football alignment is volatile. I would argue that some of our peers are at least positioning themselves to jump at the right opportunity.
|
|
jackjd
Senior Member
Posts: 663
|
Post by jackjd on Aug 13, 2015 17:41:34 GMT -6
...am I the only old timer who remembers Inman field (which was outdoor to the west of the student union) and the "new" armory for basketball??... There's a few of us old timers around. I attended a game or two at Inman as an undergrad at SDSU and then, while at USD law, I think I went to all the home games for three years. Watched yoteforever's teams...tops in the NCC. Inman field's old footprint is at least partially covered by the law school building. |
|
|
|
Post by Yotes on Aug 13, 2015 21:40:00 GMT -6
They've got a plaque to commemorate the former goal post location or something outside the B School. About the only reason I know of the former venue.
|
|
|
|
Post by fightsd on Aug 14, 2015 7:18:46 GMT -6
yotemeal I agreed with almost all of your post except the part about the fact we're at a facility disadvantage. Other posters have occasionally mentioned this too. I understand the modern day comparisons but am I the only old timer who remembers Inman field (which was outdoor to the west of the student union) and the "new" armory for basketball?? Those were facility disadvantages even in their day! I know Joe remembers Inman field since he and I were both freshman in 1967. Even with those facility disadvantages we still had many successful basketball and football teams!! Yes the dome needs to be undated and it will be but sometimes we need to appreciate how far we've come. And maybe it's just me but if I was a football recruit how excited could I really get if I was going to get to "practice" in a nice new building at Xdsu? I wouldn't care if it was a $400 million building--it's for practice. I'm very excited about the football season and wish the VERY BEST to Joe, his staff and THE YOTES!!!! College football has changed a lot since '67. Especially recruiting. Facilities play a big role in attracting young men to your university. If all other factors were equal, wouldn't you rather practice in that $400M building than one that's falling apart or outside in the cold? We are way behind the Xdsu's in just about every aspect of a football program right now. In terms of an education, we have them beat by a long shot, but that doesn't necessarily play a big role in recruiting some players. Obviously we need things like winning seasons, revitalized fan base, etc. But you can't ever guarantee those things. Facilities is one area where you really can level the playing field, no pun intended. |
|
|
|
Post by Yote 53 on Aug 14, 2015 7:46:56 GMT -6
I didn't realize USD was forced to practice outside in the cold or that our indoor facility was falling apart. Last I checked it was 72 degrees with no wind and a modern field turf playing surface inside the Dome.
I don't see how we are that far behind. Yes, we need to upgrade the Dome, it needs to happen, but we are not out of the game when it comes to facilities. In fact, once the arena is complete we are one grandstand short from equal footing with UNI.
|
|
|
|
Post by fightsd on Aug 14, 2015 8:42:55 GMT -6
I didn't realize USD was forced to practice outside in the cold or that our indoor facility was falling apart. Last I checked it was 72 degrees with no wind and a modern field turf playing surface inside the Dome. I don't see how we are that far behind. Yes, we need to upgrade the Dome, it needs to happen, but we are not out of the game when it comes to facilities. In fact, once the arena is complete we are one grandstand short from equal footing with UNI. Gotta disagree with you there. DakotaDome is a long way from being equal to the UNIdome. Obviously the grandstand on the students side would help, but locker rooms, meeting rooms, weight room, training room, audio/video systems all have a very long way to go. Not sure if UNI has a players lounge or not, but I can tell you USD doesn't have one. All of these things are important to recruits and we're losing in that aspect. In reference to my last post, I wasn't specifically comparing USD to any other schools. I was simply stating that facilities can be a deciding factor when it comes to recruiting. |
|
|
|
Post by sdyotefan on Aug 14, 2015 9:01:44 GMT -6
fightsd--yes we need to have very good facilities but Xdsu needs an indoor practice facility because their field is outside. We don't need one. We just need to improve the dome with the other points you make and it will happen. Would be foolish for us to build an expensive indoor facility.
|
|
|
|
Post by fightsd on Aug 14, 2015 9:23:34 GMT -6
fightsd--yes we need to have very good facilities but Xdsu needs an indoor practice facility because their field is outside. We don't need one. We just need to improve the dome with the other points you make and it will happen. Would be foolish for us to build an expensive indoor facility. I was never suggesting we needed an indoor practice facility. We already have that. But if people want to compare USD facilities to what they are doing in Brookings, we can do that. They have two new football facilities, shouldn't we at least invest enough to make our ONE facility at least as nice as the one they will be using on Saturdays? |
|
|
|
Post by Cousin Eddie on Aug 14, 2015 12:30:58 GMT -6
The major needs (in order, IMO) are:
1) Updated and expanded locker room with player's lounge;
2) Updated and expanded AD/coaches' offices;
3) Renovated, expanded and additional restroom facilities;
4) Renovated and widened concourse;
5) Luxury Suites and/or Loge Boxes;
6) Large HD video board - keep the existing one, but relocate it as a supplemental board;
7) Additional permanent seating;
8) Expanded food options;
9) Alternate access from East to West - no more patrons walking across at field level; and...
10) Anything else.
|
|
|
|
Post by yodayote on Aug 14, 2015 13:56:01 GMT -6
Scrolling through the roster, I noticed that true freshman RB Marquiz Simpkins is no longer listed. Can anyone shed some light on his departure? Quit after 2 days and went home. Did not like the discipline. |
|
|
|
Post by yotefan on Aug 14, 2015 21:14:46 GMT -6
His twitter posts portray a young man in need of a lot of guidance.
|
|
|
|
Post by coyote70 on Aug 14, 2015 21:44:41 GMT -6
Adding to the discussion about the Dome (as opposed to info about fall camp which I know next to nothing about), I'd say one needed change is to expand the practically nonexistent sidelines. Plays along the east sideline are not always seen by fans sitting on that side. The room for players along the west sideline are pretty cramped. Unfortunately, a cost effective solution may not evident but I wish there was one.
|
|
|
|
Post by canislatrans on Aug 19, 2015 17:17:01 GMT -6
On vacation, catching up on Mick's Coyotes articles.
The article on Derek Chancellor was top notch, a good kid with a great future on and off the field, and the opportunity to work with one of South Dakota's finest Senators. A good read all around, well done, Mick.
And hearing Joe Glenn talk about his team's progress is getting the fires burning, Lets Go Yotes!
|
|
tman28
Freshman Member
Posts: 62 
|
Post by tman28 on Aug 20, 2015 6:30:37 GMT -6
|
|
