re: Construction update

So the NEZ gets bowled in this year. Leaving a lot to be desired for sure.

The next area I would like to see upgraded is the press box.
It would be nice if they mirrored the luxury boxes on the east side and placed the press box above the luxury suites.

Hopefully within 5-6 years the fed ex/athletic field house can be moved allowing for the entrance on the north end to be modeled after the south end zone. Giving a more uniformed look to the stadium. With both end zones having the same setup and the east and west sides with similar looks the stadium will have a more appealing presence.

Of course when the NEZ is completed there will need to be 4 jumbo trons added in the corners of both the south and north end zones. This will also help close in the stadium and giving it a larger than actual appearance.

Last improvement should be the east side luxury boxes and an addition of an upper deck for visiting fans. It wouldn't have to be huge just enough to put 8,000 bama fans up there so they can watch the tide lose.

With all the additional luxury boxes in the NEZ and the West side, the expansion of the luxury boxes on the east side and the addition of an upper deck, their would be about an 80-85 thousand capacity. Just enough for the die hard Rebels and a few bandwagon fans to enjoy Ole Miss football.

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80-85 thousand capacity

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One issue we have to getting there and maintaining a quality Game Day experience is that The Grove is already past maximum capacity. On big game weekends (SEC games), it's really too crowded. It's not the quality experience that it used to be.

I would vote for a new West Grove somewhere like where the Tad Pad is now. Maybe attract people there by allowing some different rules. Like reserved spots, open flame bbq grills, etc. I like The Grove, -- don't get me wrong -- but I think we have room for a parallel experience that is different, and will take some of the crowd pressure off The Grove.

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One issue we have to getting there and maintaining a quality Game Day experience is that The Grove is already past maximum capacity. On big game weekends (SEC games), it's really too crowded. It's not the quality experience that it used to be.

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You can't be serious can you?

What kind of weirdos? The kind that don't want to have to set up the night before, be packed in like sardines, and have to eat cold food all for the sake of being seen in the grove? We need more parking too. Tearing down the tad pad and making a green space w/ tailgating and parking makes a lot of sense.

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Doing classic tailgating near the Tad Pad is an awful idea. Go to a Saints game if you want that type of a tailgate. That's not how we do things up here and absolutely no one will tailgate over there aside from some weirdos.

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Really like all of those suggestions....especially the one of placing 8000 Bama fans in an upper deck with frankly poor lines of sight. :

Good post

I don't tailgate in the Grove anymore and find it a complete PITA. I do, however, like to walk through and mooch off of friends. People can already do the Memphis style tailgating but don't envision some big large parking lot tailgate party like they have on the Allstate commercials. Remember that you have to have a parking pass and you are assigned lots. The green space idea , I like a lot. But the idea of a big parking lot for tailgating, I do not. We already have a big parking lot at Tad Smith and people already are assigned those spots.

I believe the green space created after the Tad Pad demolition would give a space greater in size than the Grove, at least from the overhead map that I reviewed.

I think it would be beneficial to have a kid's play ground similar to what we have at Swayze and a large open area located near the center of the green space for the kids to play ball/frisbee or lawn darts. Just kidding.

Parking could be located on the outer edge of the green space similar to old city parks. They could offer numbered parking passes and they could be purchased or raffled off for $100 donations to the University.

This might be worth it, just for the parking alone.

Of course walk ups could still enjoy the space also. Drop off your gear and park in one of the lots and catch a shuttle back to the Green Space.

I'm sure Bjork has received better ideas, but like others I agree there needs to be some other options besides the Grove and Circle.

Lol

Are we leaving the existing scoreboard tower in place for the new board? I was pretty sure they were going to have to move it back further due to the stands but the tower is still standing.