Facilities - Coach Choate

[Bobcat4Ever]

The handrails are not only safer, but they spruce it up. I don’t think the grandstand needs to be replaced, but there are things MSU could do to make it more attractive.

That's a great thought about handrails simply making it look better. Absolutely true. Which made me do something careless — start thinking. Is there anything in the documents about paint color? How about something other than white? Some blue or gold like the other side? Similar pattern maybe? Somewhat darker colors that would absorb more solar and help the ice melt more quickly? I just think iaafan is on to something good here — with the painting there are some low or no-cost options to make that side look better. Or paint the seats in "fan camo" colors so no one knows if anyone came back after halftime or not!

At least a big block M done in the paint?

[GoCats18]

I have been in Bozeman and have been talking to some people that have been hanging around the campus. I was told by a gentleman that we are very close on funding for phase 1 of the stadium. He said that things won’t start until after this next season ends, but he seemed to think that they should have all the funding by then. Anyone else heading or heard anything like this. He seemed to know his stuff.

[VimSince03]

I have been in Bozeman and have been talking to some people that have been hanging around the campus. I was told by a gentleman that we are very close on funding for phase 1 of the stadium. He said that things won’t start until after this next season ends, but he seemed to think that they should have all the funding by then. Anyone else heading or heard anything like this. He seemed to know his stuff.

Was he a homeless man hanging outside the SUB?

[GoCats18]

I have been in Bozeman and have been talking to some people that have been hanging around the campus. I was told by a gentleman that we are very close on funding for phase 1 of the stadium. He said that things won’t start until after this next season ends, but he seemed to think that they should have all the funding by then. Anyone else heading or heard anything like this. He seemed to know his stuff.

Was he a homeless man hanging outside the SUB?

You must have talked to him too.

[iaafan]

I have been in Bozeman and have been talking to some people that have been hanging around the campus. I was told by a gentleman that we are very close on funding for phase 1 of the stadium. He said that things won’t start until after this next season ends, but he seemed to think that they should have all the funding by then. Anyone else heading or heard anything like this. He seemed to know his stuff.

That’s basically it. I think they’re planning to announce at Homecoming. Then break ground at the end of the 2019 season. Have it ready by the start of 2020 season.

[thefrank1]

Does that mean "iaafan" is the homeless man hanging outside the SUB?

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

Does that mean "iaafan" is the homeless man hanging outside the SUB?

Looks can be deceiving.

[VimSince03]

Does that mean "iaafan" is the homeless man hanging outside the SUB?

Looks can be deceiving.

[Tcat]

I would concur with iaafan. Under 1 mill left for funding. Big announcement at Homecoming and target completion for 2020.

[ilovethecats]

The fundraising was always going better than many people thought. Some just assume because they don't make an announcement or they don't read it on a message board that nothing is getting done. People have been working their butts off for years now and I think everyone is going to be pretty happy in the near future. Guys like Choate, Costello, Casey Fox and many others have did exactly what they promised they'd do.

[CPACAT]

I would bet completion is 2021.

[AFCAT]

The fundraising was always going better than many people thought. Some just assume because they don't make an announcement or they don't read it on a message board that nothing is getting done. People have been working their butts off for years now and I think everyone is going to be pretty happy in the near future. Guys like Choate, Costello, Casey Fox and many others have did exactly what they promised they'd do.

I’m not sure anyone thought that nothing was getting done on the plan. As a regular donor to the plan, I know I am frustrated at times not hearing or reading about where the project stands. Heck, Choate himself spoke about his frustration with the facilities plan progress just last February and said that they needed to “relaunch” the fundraising effort. It would be nice if the Alumni Foundation or MSU itself gave out more frequent updates. I hope to read or hear something on the plan soon.

[Catfanatic84]

The fundraising was always going better than many people thought. Some just assume because they don't make an announcement or they don't read it on a message board that nothing is getting done. People have been working their butts off for years now and I think everyone is going to be pretty happy in the near future. Guys like Choate, Costello, Casey Fox and many others have did exactly what they promised they'd do.

I’m not sure anyone thought that nothing was getting done on the plan. As a regular donor to the plan, I know I am frustrated at times not hearing or reading about where the project stands. Heck, Choate himself spoke about his frustration with the facilities plan progress just last February and said that they needed to “relaunch” the fundraising effort. It would be nice if the Alumni Foundation or MSU itself gave out more frequent updates. I hope to read or hear something on the plan soon.

Agreed....just a simple update....where are we in fundraising....how much do we need to have raised before we can begin construction...etc.

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

The fundraising was always going better than many people thought. Some just assume because they don't make an announcement or they don't read it on a message board that nothing is getting done. People have been working their butts off for years now and I think everyone is going to be pretty happy in the near future. Guys like Choate, Costello, Casey Fox and many others have did exactly what they promised they'd do.

I’m not sure anyone thought that nothing was getting done on the plan. As a regular donor to the plan, I know I am frustrated at times not hearing or reading about where the project stands. Heck, Choate himself spoke about his frustration with the facilities plan progress just last February and said that they needed to “relaunch” the fundraising effort. It would be nice if the Alumni Foundation or MSU itself gave out more frequent updates. I hope to read or hear something on the plan soon.

Totally agree. Listening to Choate talk in Billings this April, he was more than frustrated and made it known. He even said give me the tools and the facilities and no one in the big sky would be able to out recruit MSU.

I wish I could share the optimism, but from the things I have heard from Choate and other leaders from different chapters, I just don’t see it. If the fundraising is going good why not come out and say it? I understand why it would be quiet if it’s bad, but if it’s going well, why not boast?

A simple email or letter to let us know would be a good idea. I know Costello won’t do that, because he is the second coming of Fields. Actually Fields was more transparent and noticeable than Costello across the state.

[iaafan]

The fundraising was always going better than many people thought. Some just assume because they don't make an announcement or they don't read it on a message board that nothing is getting done. People have been working their butts off for years now and I think everyone is going to be pretty happy in the near future. Guys like Choate, Costello, Casey Fox and many others have did exactly what they promised they'd do.

I’m not sure anyone thought that nothing was getting done on the plan. As a regular donor to the plan, I know I am frustrated at times not hearing or reading about where the project stands. Heck, Choate himself spoke about his frustration with the facilities plan progress just last February and said that they needed to “relaunch” the fundraising effort. It would be nice if the Alumni Foundation or MSU itself gave out more frequent updates. I hope to read or hear something on the plan soon.

Totally agree. Listening to Choate talk in Billings this April, he was more than frustrated and made it known. He even said give me the tools and the facilities and no one in the big sky would be able to out recruit MSU.

I wish I could share the optimism, but from the things I have heard from Choate and other leaders from different chapters, I just don’t see it. If the fundraising is going good why not come out and say it? I understand why it would be quiet if it’s bad, but if it’s going well, why not boast?

A simple email or letter to let us know would be a good idea. I know Costello won’t do that, because he is the second coming of Fields. Actually Fields was more transparent and noticeable than Costello across the state.

Costello was just interviewed in the Gazette about a month or so ago and revealed the amount raised to date. May 23 to be exact. It went beyond the $12 million threshold. I suppose they don’t want to boast about it too much because people sitting on the fence might decide they don’t need to donate. Costello worked on the SDSU facilities fundraiser, which raised a ton more funds than we just did, so he knows what he’s doing.

Fundraising on this started on September 29, 2017. It only took 20 months to complete with all funds ($16.8 million) coming from private donors, including about $5 million for naming rights, $2 million from a private anonymous donor and $1 million from the BQC.

By comparison UM took 23 months to raise $14 million, of which $5 million came from the State. $7 million came from Washington Group. That left just $2 million.

MSU “regular fans” donated $8.8 million. UM “regular fans” donated $2 million. MSU “raised” more money ($16.8 million to $9 million) privately in less time. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

[MSU01]

Costello was just interviewed in the Gazette about a month or so ago and revealed the amount raised to date. May 23 to be exact. It went beyond the $12 million threshold. I suppose they don’t want to boast about it too much because people sitting on the fence might decide they don’t need to donate. Costello worked on the SDSU facilities fundraiser, which raised a ton more funds than we just did, so he knows what he’s doing.

Fundraising on this started on September 29, 2017. It only took 20 months to complete with all funds ($16.8 million) coming from private donors, including about $5 million for naming rights, $2 million from a private anonymous donor and $1 million from the BQC.

By comparison UM took 23 months to raise $14 million, of which $5 million came from the State. $7 million came from Washington Group. That left just $2 million.

MSU “regular fans” donated $8.8 million. UM “regular fans” donated $2 million. MSU raised more money in less time. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

I was wondering the same thing, if maybe making a big announcement that "we're only $500,000 away!" or "only $1 million left to go!" could actually have an adverse effect and cause someone who was considering a donation to change their mind and assume that it's safe to wait and let somebody else donate the remaining money. Kind of like the Bystander Effect in psychology, in which people are less likely to help someone they see is in trouble if there are other people present who they assume will help instead.

I have zero inside info on the fundraising process, but to me it's progressing at about the speed I thought it would given that MSU doesn't have a Denny Washington-type donor who will virtually foot the bill on his own. I can also understand Choate's impatience, as his job literally depends on being able to recruit top players to MSU - it seems that facilities, uniforms, etc. are becoming more and more a part of that given the proliferation of social media in the recruiting process.

[91catAlum]

Costello was just interviewed in the Gazette about a month or so ago and revealed the amount raised to date. May 23 to be exact. It went beyond the $12 million threshold. I suppose they don’t want to boast about it too much because people sitting on the fence might decide they don’t need to donate. Costello worked on the SDSU facilities fundraiser, which raised a ton more funds than we just did, so he knows what he’s doing.

Fundraising on this started on September 29, 2017. It only took 20 months to complete with all funds ($16.8 million) coming from private donors, including about $5 million for naming rights, $2 million from a private anonymous donor and $1 million from the BQC.

By comparison UM took 23 months to raise $14 million, of which $5 million came from the State. $7 million came from Washington Group. That left just $2 million.

MSU “regular fans” donated $8.8 million. UM “regular fans” donated $2 million. MSU raised more money in less time. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

You say it took 20 months to complete all funding. I'm not sure that's the case... If funding was complete now, why is it being kept secret?

[iaafan]

Costello was just interviewed in the Gazette about a month or so ago and revealed the amount raised to date. May 23 to be exact. It went beyond the $12 million threshold. I suppose they don’t want to boast about it too much because people sitting on the fence might decide they don’t need to donate. Costello worked on the SDSU facilities fundraiser, which raised a ton more funds than we just did, so he knows what he’s doing.

Fundraising on this started on September 29, 2017. It only took 20 months to complete with all funds ($16.8 million) coming from private donors, including about $5 million for naming rights, $2 million from a private anonymous donor and $1 million from the BQC.

By comparison UM took 23 months to raise $14 million, of which $5 million came from the State. $7 million came from Washington Group. That left just $2 million.

MSU “regular fans” donated $8.8 million. UM “regular fans” donated $2 million. MSU raised more money in less time. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

I have zero inside info on the fundraising process, but to me it's progressing at about the speed I thought it would given that MSU doesn't have a Denny Washington-type donor who will virtually foot the bill on his own.

Even without Denny Washington MSU has far exceeded the UM “champions” center fundraising effort. UM got BOR approval for $5 million requested by UM to finance in 2014. As of September 30, 2015 UM had raised $1million of the $5 million shortfall. They began re-routing utilities in July 2015, then began some work after the season and got into full swing spring of 2016. So even with Washington dumping in half the funds, MSU did a significantly better job raising funds.

[iaafan]

Costello was just interviewed in the Gazette about a month or so ago and revealed the amount raised to date. May 23 to be exact. It went beyond the $12 million threshold. I suppose they don’t want to boast about it too much because people sitting on the fence might decide they don’t need to donate. Costello worked on the SDSU facilities fundraiser, which raised a ton more funds than we just did, so he knows what he’s doing.

Fundraising on this started on September 29, 2017. It only took 20 months to complete with all funds ($16.8 million) coming from private donors, including about $5 million for naming rights, $2 million from a private anonymous donor and $1 million from the BQC.

By comparison UM took 23 months to raise $14 million, of which $5 million came from the State. $7 million came from Washington Group. That left just $2 million.

MSU “regular fans” donated $8.8 million. UM “regular fans” donated $2 million. MSU raised more money in less time. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

You say it took 20 months to complete all funding. I'm not sure that's the case... If funding was complete now, why is it being kept secret?

I don’t know. Maybe the details aren’t all specified. Maybe they want to get all the paperwork for pledges in that are out there. They may raise more than the $16.8 million and put it toward other phases. Could be a number of things.

Point is they’ve done a good-great job. Just look at what UM did by comparison.

[91catAlum]

Costello was just interviewed in the Gazette about a month or so ago and revealed the amount raised to date. May 23 to be exact. It went beyond the $12 million threshold. I suppose they don’t want to boast about it too much because people sitting on the fence might decide they don’t need to donate. Costello worked on the SDSU facilities fundraiser, which raised a ton more funds than we just did, so he knows what he’s doing.

Fundraising on this started on September 29, 2017. It only took 20 months to complete with all funds ($16.8 million) coming from private donors, including about $5 million for naming rights, $2 million from a private anonymous donor and $1 million from the BQC.

By comparison UM took 23 months to raise $14 million, of which $5 million came from the State. $7 million came from Washington Group. That left just $2 million.

MSU “regular fans” donated $8.8 million. UM “regular fans” donated $2 million. MSU raised more money in less time. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

You say it took 20 months to complete all funding. I'm not sure that's the case... If funding was complete now, why is it being kept secret?

I don’t know. Maybe the details aren’t all specified. Maybe they want to get all the paperwork for pledges in that are out there. They may raise more than the $16.8 million and put it toward other phases. Could be a number of things.

Point is they’ve done a good-great job. Just look at what UM did by comparison.

I agree those could be reasons, but my question is more about are you sure the full amount of the money has been raised? Or are we still just "close"?