Anything new with Stadium Rennovation?

Catfan2030 · Post by **Catfan2030** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:21 am

Ya i hope this kind of gives us a better understanding of whats actually going on.

WalkOn79 · Post by **WalkOn79** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:53 am

Sorry Guys. No separate thread or press conference this morning. What I did find out is we're still in the quiet phase, and until at least 75% of the $19 Million goal has been reached, there will be no public announcement.

My identity is known to the athletic department, so if I want to keep my seat on the board, this is all I can say on BN at this time. If any of you are seriously interested in making a major contribution, I would encourage you to call the athletic department directly. I'm sure they would be happy to meet with you in person.

Thanks, and I'm again sorry for getting everyone's hopes up. This will be my last word on the subject until I am authorized to give additional information.

vike_king · Post by **vike_king** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:55 am

WalkOn79 wrote:Sorry Guys. No separate thread or press conference this morning. What I did find out is we're still in the quiet phase, and until at least 75% of the $19 Million goal has been reached, there will be no public announcement.

My identity is known to the athletic department, so if I want to keep my seat on the board, this is all I can say on BN at this time. If any of you are seriously interested in making a major contribution, I would encourage you to call the athletic department directly. I'm sure they would be happy to meet with you in person.

Thanks, and I'm again sorry for getting everyone's hopes up. This will be my last word on the subject until I am authorized to give additional information.

And my son calls me Daddy Downer!

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:02 am

WalkOn79 wrote:Sorry Guys. No separate thread or press conference this morning. What I did find out is we're still in the quiet phase, and until at least 75% of the $19 Million goal has been reached, there will be no public announcement.

My identity is known to the athletic department, so if I want to keep my seat on the board, this is all I can say on BN at this time. If any of you are seriously interested in making a major contribution, I would encourage you to call the athletic department directly. I'm sure they would be happy to meet with you in person.

Thanks, and I'm again sorry for getting everyone's hopes up. This will be my last word on the subject until I am authorized to give additional information.

Well if we are going to build the boxes it MAKES NO sense to hold off any longer as the price will just keep going up. Since they make money off the boxes, why hold off on that part of it. I just don't understand that part. These should have been built 1-2 years ago.

WalkOn79 · Post by **WalkOn79** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:02 am

Again, I apologize. Feel like a D!ck for getting everyone fired up on this topic. Please be patient, cause I think the plan is solid and we're going about this the right way.

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:50 am

I asked a board member I know about our growth plans late this summer. I said that the 'fan on the street' was getting restless and wanted to know when we'll have something to get behind. I was told to basically gut it out and have patience while the private solicitation process was going on. It's going to be a baby steps process, and the first few steps will probably be more beneficial to our student athletes as opposed to us, the fans.

Anyway, as exited as I used to be about opening the '07 season in a shiney new horseshoe version of Bobcat Stadium, I just don't see it happening as soon as we'd all hope. I hate to be a party-pooper, but thats just my gut sense. Although I think Bobcat Field at Kilborn Stadium would sound pretty sweet.

Catfan2030 · Post by **Catfan2030** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:54 am

WalkOn79 wrote:Again, I apologize. Feel like a D!ck for getting everyone fired up on this topic. Please be patient, cause I think the plan is solid and we're going about this the right way.

Thats okay, personally i just wanted to know if all the hype was actually a reality or if it was all just speculation. Now that you have said that there is definately something going on this much is fine with me. I didnt really care what they actually decided to do, I just wanted to know if anything was even going to happen within the future. Now i can just wait and see what happens......im still exited for the day if does come out though!!!!!

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:32 am

I must say I am disappointed that nothing is final and there are no plans to even look at. It is good news that we for sure have something in the works. How close to the 75% are we? My other question is how many people know of these plans? The only place I hear of it is on this site. If they are taking donations shouldn't there be some drawing of the plans so people might see what they could be donating to. Maybe a website like Cobb Field has going on. That way you know what the plans are, what the cost maybe, and where we stand in the process. I could be ahead of myself here but that is what I want to see. Then I can give what little money I have to the renovations.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:44 am

I like your idea bcats for when it becomes public. Right now my understanding is that they are soliciting the "whales" to fund that 75%. The board of regents are not going to allow us to finance this thing in any way (no matter how silly it seems particularly in regards to the skyboxes). It's going to have to be a cash deal to get it done.

I've heard that, of the 75% they are doing quietly, anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 of this has been accomplished to date.

I would love to see the skyboxes done and ready for the 2008 season. But, it's all a matter of how quickly they can secure the remainder portion of that 75%, whatever that may be.

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:27 pm

They must have confidence in picking up this 75% before they open it up then. That is good to see. I wasn't aware they had this much backing from the big shots. Patience is a virtue and I hope when it comes out it exceeds expectations.

The Butcher · Post by **The Butcher** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:57 pm

I am really surprised that they are keeping this so tight lipped. Apparently they think that the non-big time players aren't going to pony up too much, and even more importantly they think they have tabs on all the potential big players. Honestly, can you know every person that might make a significant donation? I would argue that there are more than a few ranchers or farmers that have some extra money that might want to make a contribution. Waiting probably won’t hurt too much, but I would think that the administration would like to see the project(s) started as soon as possible.

DaCats Forever · Post by **DaCats Forever** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:17 pm

If the plan is to do it soon, you obviously want to make the renovation before a season with a home Cat/Griz game, because that would ensure much more revenue for that year as it's a guaranteed sellout. So hopefully it will happen this offseason and they get somebody to pony up a few more million (no bid deal on that) and next year we dominate in a stadium that will have few to match it. Yes I know that WA Griz stadium is better, but it's a good start. Just posted that last sentence so I don't have to listen to some griz idiot say how much better their stadium is.

theblackgecko · Post by **theblackgecko** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:36 pm

MSU should take a cue from Montana in expansions.

1. Start rumor on egriz.

2. Let fans debate points of rumor, spread it around.

3. Fans start contacting athletic department about rumor, inboxes are filled with e-mails about latest upgrade to Washington Grizzly stadium.

4. Have press conference where they announce the points of rumor that fans have debated and asked athletic department about.

5. Fans fill inboxes of athletic department with checks.

6. Upgrade happens.

Post by **rtb** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:42 pm

theblackgecko wrote:MSU should take a cue from Montana in expansions.

1. Start rumor on egriz.

2. Let fans debate points of rumor, spread it around.

3. Fans start contacting athletic department about rumor, inboxes are filled with e-mails about latest upgrade to Washington Grizzly stadium.

4. Have press conference where they announce the points of rumor that fans have debated and asked athletic department about.

5. Fans fill inboxes of athletic department with checks.

6. Upgrade happens.

That might be a great plan, but many within MSU think that Bobcat Nation does nothing good for MSU.

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:35 pm

rtb wrote:
theblackgecko wrote:MSU should take a cue from Montana in expansions.

1. Start rumor on egriz.

2. Let fans debate points of rumor, spread it around.

3. Fans start contacting athletic department about rumor, inboxes are filled with e-mails about latest upgrade to Washington Grizzly stadium.

4. Have press conference where they announce the points of rumor that fans have debated and asked athletic department about.

5. Fans fill inboxes of athletic department with checks.

6. Upgrade happens.
That might be a great plan, but many within MSU think that Bobcat Nation does nothing good for MSU.

WHAT??

I am shocked and chagrined!

Mortified and stupified!

(sorry for the Seinfeld reference,

but you get the point...)

Why do they think this??

Post by **kmax** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:46 pm

grizzh8r wrote:
rtb wrote:
theblackgecko wrote:MSU should take a cue from Montana in expansions.

1. Start rumor on egriz.

2. Let fans debate points of rumor, spread it around.

3. Fans start contacting athletic department about rumor, inboxes are filled with e-mails about latest upgrade to Washington Grizzly stadium.

4. Have press conference where they announce the points of rumor that fans have debated and asked athletic department about.

5. Fans fill inboxes of athletic department with checks.

6. Upgrade happens.
That might be a great plan, but many within MSU think that Bobcat Nation does nothing good for MSU.
WHAT??

I am shocked and chagrined!

Mortified and stupified!

(sorry for the Seinfeld reference, but you get the point...)

Why do they think this??

Apparently keeping fans talking about and thinking about MSU athletics year round is frowned upon.

Just kidding, I am guessing it has more to do with that whole faceless, anonymous internet posters bashing players, coaches and staff without any accountability thing.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:02 pm

grizzh8r wrote:
rtb wrote:
theblackgecko wrote:MSU should take a cue from Montana in expansions.

1. Start rumor on egriz.

2. Let fans debate points of rumor, spread it around.

3. Fans start contacting athletic department about rumor, inboxes are filled with e-mails about latest upgrade to Washington Grizzly stadium.

4. Have press conference where they announce the points of rumor that fans have debated and asked athletic department about.

5. Fans fill inboxes of athletic department with checks.

6. Upgrade happens.
That might be a great plan, but many within MSU think that Bobcat Nation does nothing good for MSU.
WHAT??

I am shocked and chagrined!

Mortified and stupified!

(sorry for the Seinfeld reference, but you get the point...)

Why do they think this??

Well tell Barechest Cat that for all his work getting the Thundersticks for last weeks game if it does nothing good. I think Bobcat Nation is great for helping MSU fans connect/express opinions etc. I think it helps the FAN BASE immensely and instills a more family type comradere with their fans. I have met a lot of very nice fans on Bnation where I would have not met them before. I agree though that players and coaches shouldn't read this forum because a lot of posts are venting/frustration/the PURE WILL that we want our teams to win etc. I still think is is GREAT for MSU and their fan base and helps 'THE FAN' discuss MSU athletics and pull for our team. Wayyyyy more positives than negatives.

WalkOn79 · Post by **WalkOn79** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:12 pm

Not to mention the game pics from Jens every week. Helps those of us in far flung places feel closer to the action.

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:15 pm

barechestcat wrote:I like your idea bcats for when it becomes public. Right now my understanding is that they are soliciting the "whales" to fund that 75%. The board of regents are not going to allow us to finance this thing in any way (no matter how silly it seems particularly in regards to the skyboxes). It's going to have to be a cash deal to get it done.

I've heard that, of the 75% they are doing quietly, anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 of this has been accomplished to date.

I would love to see the skyboxes done and ready for the 2008 season. But, it's all a matter of how quickly they can secure the remainder portion of that 75%, whatever that may be.

It is likely that we are not as close to the 75% point as we are to the 50% level. Once we get within the 75% there will be some leaks to build interest and buzz on this before the BIG announcement.

I have raised around 1 million for another project myself and can tell you that it is important to do it right. Part of that is being very organized before the general public is brought in. Once a project goes public you have a whole different animal you are riding. Taking it public and needing to raise the remaining 25% is a huge MOMENTUM wave that will take fund raising over the top. I think they are doing it right.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:27 pm

I'd like to thank you guys who have brought some professional fundraising insights to the table. I was getting really anxious for info, but reading what you guys had to write, I am content to sit back and assume that the people doing the fundraising know exactly what they are doing and that when I need to know more, I will.