The Lowdown on Texas FB's New Facilities
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DKR Texas-Memorial Stadium. (Justin Wells/IT)[/caption]
When I was getting recruited out of high school, Texas’ football facilities were head of the class.
That’s why schools like Texas Tech, Arkansas, and Oklahoma State were always quick to talk about their facilities in recruiting. They wanted to emphasize how similar they were to the deep pocketed program down in Austin, without mentioning it’s name. Texas was always the unspoken elephant in the room. That was also more than 10 years ago (which makes me sound older than I feel).
Nationally, athletic programs have continued to pour millions into their facilities leaving Texas slightly outdated. Example: Clemson is spending $55 million on a complex with sand volleyball courts, laser tag, a movie theater, bowling lanes, a barbershop, and nine holes of miniature golf — all exclusively for it’s football players. Oh, I forgot to mention there will be football stuff there like a locker room and such, too.
(By the way, I love what Clemson is doing. The whole goal is to keep their players occupied and entertained on campus. If they never have a reason to leave the field house during the day — other than for class — they’re likely put in extra work at times they wouldn’t have. Every rep, set, and film session on weekends and holidays makes a difference.)
That’s not to say the Longhorns haven’t made significant upgrades in the last 10 years though. There’s the Red McCombs’ north end zone, the “Godzillatron,” and a new academic center (exclusively for football) to name a few. But we all know what this game is called: “keepin’ up with the Jones’.”
It’s not enough merely to make upgrades; yours has to be bigger, better, and newer than your neighbor’s down the street. That’s how you win the college football arms race and utilize “shock and awe” to sign recruits.
One of UT's neighbors in particular is always looking to one-up the Longhorns in this area - A&M. That’s why there’s been several cycles of propaganda coming out of College Station about their new stadium in recent years. Yes, Texas A&M spent $485 million and 18 months on Kyle Field. They now have the largest stadium in the SEC and are quick to remind Texas fans of that fact. They also unveiled, in 2014, a video screen slightly larger than UT’s “Godzillatron” — all one big coincidence I’m sure.
That’s why I’m happy to hear of the Longhorns proposed facilities upgrade. Earlier this week, Texas released a 117-page document called the “University of Texas Athletics Master Plan,” or, just “Master Plan” for short. The Master Plan was completed in March and based on 20 months of research and study. Texas Football won’t be the only beneficiary, every sport at the university will be feeling the love. I particularly loved this quote from Athletic Director Mike Perrin:
“It’s not like we have a blank check and authorization to go just build these things. It’s prudent management to look forward to anticipate needs that you’re going to have and how you might fulfill these needs in a physically constrained environment.”
Well said, I agree, and much more presidential sounding than “keepin’ up with the Jones’.” Just so we’re clear, in this state the Longhorns are the Jones’. Texas has its own cable network to prove that fact should anyone want to debate it. The rest of this article will be devoted to the varied aspects of the “prudent management” to come, although football only. I may talk about facility upgrades for Texas’ other sports at another time on the Daily Dose.
MONCRIEF
Texas’ field house (Moncreif-Neuhaus Center) is going to get a serious face lift. The locker room is going to be renovated again, though it already looks different from when I played. There are currently industrial refrigerators filled with food, Gatorade, and protein shakes. I would have continually raided those as a player and I can’t imagine what the athletic department has in store next. How about, a German-engineered ventilation system for each locker? It would rid the locker room of its locker room smell. That would especially be nice for 2-a-days.
There will be new offices for the coaches and support staff, and a player development suite (although, I have no idea what that is). The sports medicine and hydrotherapy facilities will be renovated; they could add waterfalls to the cold tub like Alabama — why not?
Texas will also be adding a media relations room; I suggested dedicated offices for Eric and Justin, as well. The Longhorns will also be building a video editing suite for all future social media sweetness. Other than storage and an expanded equipment room (for more gear, wristbands, and socks), that wraps it up for the field house. Now on to the practice field.
DENIUS FIELDS
The Bubble is gone; it’s being replaced with a “permanent indoor football practice facility.” If you don’t know what “The Bubble” is, it’s the indoor practice facility Texas has had since 2002. I guess it’s not considered “permanent” because air keeps it upright, and yes it can deflate. Why not build one bigger, better, and … more permanent? Even though Charlie Strong isn’t a huge fan of practicing inside I think it’s time to build another one. Also, there’s a possibility the new indoor facility could be relocated “closer to Moncrief-Neuhaus Center” — where exactly “closer” would be the Master Plan doesn’t specify, though.
The Athletic Department also would like to build two full outdoor practice fields. If you’ve ever been to Denuis you know the Longhorns practice on one full field, and two halves of another. I suppose the coaching staff has in mind two full fields (three total including the indoor) would only be better.
DKR
Last, but certainly not least, is Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. UT has in mind to enclose (or “expand”) the south end zone. The Master Plan uses the word “expand” rather than enclose, so I’m not sure DKR could rightfully be considered a bowl. My first question was how large the stadium capacity would be afterward?
As I understand it, the expanded south end zone is more about luxury suites than larger capacity. We already know the Longhorns have struggled to sell out home games in recent years. That being said, Texas still finished 10th best in the country for average game attendance in 2015 (90,035). Still, that means there were 10,000 or so empty seats at most home games and that’s not an encouraging sight to see. Expanding the south end zone simply for the sake of stadium capacity could mean more empty seats in the future. That’s why I’m a much bigger fan doing so for “premium seating with suites and club spaces.”
LHN will have dedicated game-day space to work with, and DKR’s sound system will get an overhaul. All in all I think the updates will only solidify Texas’ “blue blood” status in the world of college football. The Longhorns profit annually and give back $10-25 million to the university every year. They’ve got the money, so they can spend it. The “Master Plan” should give the Longhorns good footing for the next decade or so in the minds of young recruits.
DKR Texas-Memorial Stadium. (Justin Wells/IT)[/caption]
When I was getting recruited out of high school, Texas’ football facilities were head of the class.
That’s why schools like Texas Tech, Arkansas, and Oklahoma State were always quick to talk about their facilities in recruiting. They wanted to emphasize how similar they were to the deep pocketed program down in Austin, without mentioning it’s name. Texas was always the unspoken elephant in the room. That was also more than 10 years ago (which makes me sound older than I feel).
Nationally, athletic programs have continued to pour millions into their facilities leaving Texas slightly outdated. Example: Clemson is spending $55 million on a complex with sand volleyball courts, laser tag, a movie theater, bowling lanes, a barbershop, and nine holes of miniature golf — all exclusively for it’s football players. Oh, I forgot to mention there will be football stuff there like a locker room and such, too.
(By the way, I love what Clemson is doing. The whole goal is to keep their players occupied and entertained on campus. If they never have a reason to leave the field house during the day — other than for class — they’re likely put in extra work at times they wouldn’t have. Every rep, set, and film session on weekends and holidays makes a difference.)
That’s not to say the Longhorns haven’t made significant upgrades in the last 10 years though. There’s the Red McCombs’ north end zone, the “Godzillatron,” and a new academic center (exclusively for football) to name a few. But we all know what this game is called: “keepin’ up with the Jones’.”
It’s not enough merely to make upgrades; yours has to be bigger, better, and newer than your neighbor’s down the street. That’s how you win the college football arms race and utilize “shock and awe” to sign recruits.
One of UT's neighbors in particular is always looking to one-up the Longhorns in this area - A&M. That’s why there’s been several cycles of propaganda coming out of College Station about their new stadium in recent years. Yes, Texas A&M spent $485 million and 18 months on Kyle Field. They now have the largest stadium in the SEC and are quick to remind Texas fans of that fact. They also unveiled, in 2014, a video screen slightly larger than UT’s “Godzillatron” — all one big coincidence I’m sure.
That’s why I’m happy to hear of the Longhorns proposed facilities upgrade. Earlier this week, Texas released a 117-page document called the “University of Texas Athletics Master Plan,” or, just “Master Plan” for short. The Master Plan was completed in March and based on 20 months of research and study. Texas Football won’t be the only beneficiary, every sport at the university will be feeling the love. I particularly loved this quote from Athletic Director Mike Perrin:
“It’s not like we have a blank check and authorization to go just build these things. It’s prudent management to look forward to anticipate needs that you’re going to have and how you might fulfill these needs in a physically constrained environment.”
Well said, I agree, and much more presidential sounding than “keepin’ up with the Jones’.” Just so we’re clear, in this state the Longhorns are the Jones’. Texas has its own cable network to prove that fact should anyone want to debate it. The rest of this article will be devoted to the varied aspects of the “prudent management” to come, although football only. I may talk about facility upgrades for Texas’ other sports at another time on the Daily Dose.
MONCRIEF
Texas’ field house (Moncreif-Neuhaus Center) is going to get a serious face lift. The locker room is going to be renovated again, though it already looks different from when I played. There are currently industrial refrigerators filled with food, Gatorade, and protein shakes. I would have continually raided those as a player and I can’t imagine what the athletic department has in store next. How about, a German-engineered ventilation system for each locker? It would rid the locker room of its locker room smell. That would especially be nice for 2-a-days.
There will be new offices for the coaches and support staff, and a player development suite (although, I have no idea what that is). The sports medicine and hydrotherapy facilities will be renovated; they could add waterfalls to the cold tub like Alabama — why not?
Texas will also be adding a media relations room; I suggested dedicated offices for Eric and Justin, as well. The Longhorns will also be building a video editing suite for all future social media sweetness. Other than storage and an expanded equipment room (for more gear, wristbands, and socks), that wraps it up for the field house. Now on to the practice field.
DENIUS FIELDS
The Bubble is gone; it’s being replaced with a “permanent indoor football practice facility.” If you don’t know what “The Bubble” is, it’s the indoor practice facility Texas has had since 2002. I guess it’s not considered “permanent” because air keeps it upright, and yes it can deflate. Why not build one bigger, better, and … more permanent? Even though Charlie Strong isn’t a huge fan of practicing inside I think it’s time to build another one. Also, there’s a possibility the new indoor facility could be relocated “closer to Moncrief-Neuhaus Center” — where exactly “closer” would be the Master Plan doesn’t specify, though.
The Athletic Department also would like to build two full outdoor practice fields. If you’ve ever been to Denuis you know the Longhorns practice on one full field, and two halves of another. I suppose the coaching staff has in mind two full fields (three total including the indoor) would only be better.
DKR
Last, but certainly not least, is Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. UT has in mind to enclose (or “expand”) the south end zone. The Master Plan uses the word “expand” rather than enclose, so I’m not sure DKR could rightfully be considered a bowl. My first question was how large the stadium capacity would be afterward?
As I understand it, the expanded south end zone is more about luxury suites than larger capacity. We already know the Longhorns have struggled to sell out home games in recent years. That being said, Texas still finished 10th best in the country for average game attendance in 2015 (90,035). Still, that means there were 10,000 or so empty seats at most home games and that’s not an encouraging sight to see. Expanding the south end zone simply for the sake of stadium capacity could mean more empty seats in the future. That’s why I’m a much bigger fan doing so for “premium seating with suites and club spaces.”
LHN will have dedicated game-day space to work with, and DKR’s sound system will get an overhaul. All in all I think the updates will only solidify Texas’ “blue blood” status in the world of college football. The Longhorns profit annually and give back $10-25 million to the university every year. They’ve got the money, so they can spend it. The “Master Plan” should give the Longhorns good footing for the next decade or so in the minds of young recruits.
