Seriously, I love this show
Earlier this week, Norte Dame took a major step towards creating a happy marriage of football and school with the announcement that it would building a $400 million expansion to its football stadium. What makes this expansion different and interesting is that the expansion includes building 3 academic buildings into the existing stadium. Yes, you heard me right, no need to pinch yourself. Academia and college football will be sharing the same space in one of the most iconic stadiums in the country. These buildings will house classrooms, a career center, a dinning hall, and a new digital media center among other things. Since space is limited at the university, the stadium was determined to be the best location. In return, the new buildings will bring stadium capacity up to 84,000 and will be used as a fan hospitality area during the games. Construction on the new buildings is set to begin within the next two years and should be completed in a little less than three years after that.
Now students can go directly to their classes after the game
Overall, I think that this is not only a great PR move for the university but also is a great decision. Not only does this show Norte Dame's commitment to academics, but it also connects it to its storied football program. Whenever games will be shown on television, the viewers will also see the new classrooms and space devoted to improving student life. Its also a victory for the football program with the additional seating and hospitality center. Best of all, it also the stadium to be used by students and faculty year-round rather than exclusively during home games. Plus, it actually looks better than I imagined. Imagine the views from some of the classrooms on the upper floors (and the students who will be caught staring at said view). I hope this trend catches on at other schools and that football and academics can finally work together. Or, at the very least, they can learn to play well together.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna take off. I have a Super Bowl to watch.
Because it's Notre Dame I feel that it would make sense to spend more money on a football stadium because their program is so well-known. However, if it was another school with a lesser-known program I'd be skeptical at spending that much money on a football stadium. Even if it's a well-known program it might be good to find out exactly where that $400 million to build the stadium is coming from- is it from an endowment fund, special interests, tuition money, or god forbid taxpayer money? When money comes from a majority to support a niche cause that doesn't benefit the collective- there's always a problem and possibility of corruption.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic; indeed, athletics and academics are too frequently mutually exclusive when it comes to advancing one or the other. This seems like a good compromise.
ReplyDeleteAnd Katherine, I don't know much more about the project other than what Casey wrote, but I'd say it's a safe bet that they're using the university's private funds, such as endowment and tuition revenue in order to finance it. It'd be interesting to look into it more though.
Thanks for the comments guys! To address the question of the source of the money, according to the Chicago Tribune, money for the renovations will come from a mixture of private donors and bonds, with more news to come on the funding when the project start date nears.
ReplyDeleteOh man --- At SC, I would go absolutely nuts if the my building had to do anything other than host tailgates. Can't imagine having them invade the common space. Not only would it be a disaster, but it would suck for students trying to get in to use the space. However, I appreciate the idea. And btw, Mark Sanchez was a great student.
ReplyDeleteCasey, I believe we are in the same Issues in Sports Management class together and it's interesting you brought this topic up because we are going to watch the film Schooled in class on Monday which is a controversial film about the NCAA, specifically about football. I will not be in class on Monday so I found it on Netflix and watched it. One section talked about the funds an athletic department receives for its buildings and athletes. I think it's a very interesting topic and one that isn't discuss a lot. Great post, thanks for the insight!
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