LNC will be the basketball arena for the foreseeable future but I do think eventually they will need to build a new arena and when that happens it will be built somewhere on the east side of campus near the other athletic facilities. The new trend with arenas is to make them more mixed-use so they're not empty buildings when there isn't an event. Look at Milwaukee's new arena as a great example.

The LNC is just too big and not very intimate. 5K people in an 11K arena looks bad. 5K in an 8K arena looks a whole lot better, especially on TV.

What happened to the plan to completely re-work the seating at LNC?

I remember a few years back there were renderings that showed a more squared-off configuration that brought the seats closer to the floor.

It would also make sense to turn some of the upper seating into suite areas for small groups (like the sponsored ones at the Peake). That could reduce the seating and raise some extra revenue.

Also, has OU considered selling beer at sporting events? A lot of universities are bringing it back now.

It would also make sense to turn some of the upper seating into suite areas for small groups (like the sponsored ones at the Peake). That could reduce the seating and raise some extra revenue.

Also, has OU considered selling beer at sporting events? A lot of universities are bringing it back now.

Based strictly on personal opinion....I don't know if beer will be back in the main areas as long as Boren is President. Whether that is good or bad.....no opinion. You can get it on the club level though if you have access.

I hear Boren is about to retire.

I hear Boren is about to retire.

It'll be really interesting to see who OU who go with as their next president.

It'll be really interesting to see who OU who go with as their next president.

How about Joe Castiglione?

It'll be really interesting to see who OU who go with as their next president.

The old law school dean or Robert Henry. Kyle Harper is too young still I think.

I hear Boren is about to retire.

I've heard that rumor too, literally for the past 10 years. I suppose it's bound to be true at some point.

It'll be really interesting to see who OU who go with as their next president.

Tom Cole or Frank Keating

Tom Cole or Frank Keating
Sure hope not. We can do much better.

The old law school dean or Robert Henry. Kyle Harper is too young still I think.
Won't be Robert Henry.

There's some scuttlebutt that it could be Joe Castiglione. Probably tough for the academics to swallow, but he'd be an excellent fundraiser.

I've heard rumblings of the current president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University taking the job.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou082917a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou082917b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou082917c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou082917d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou082917e.jpg

A friend's son just moved into Headington College (not Headington Hall, which is on the east side of Jenkins) one of the two new residential colleges (the other is Dunham College) just south of the stadium.

The first photo is the dining hall that sits between the two residential colleges.

There are single, double and triple rooms and everything is coed. There are multiple communal restrooms / showers for both genders on every floor.

On the bottom are lounges, study rooms, offices and even some classrooms.

I was told both are now very full if not completely full. The new parking structure to the south was just about full on a Sunday.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/headington082917a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/headington082917b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/headington082917c.jpg

When are they doing the pressbox work? I thought that was supposed to have already started.

When are they doing the pressbox work? I thought that was supposed to have already started.

That's always been a future project a long with re-doing a lot of the west side.

Also, a new north side scoreboard and some other things.

They usually take a breather after raising a bunch of money, which seems to be the case now.

That's always been a future project a long with re-doing a lot of the west side.

Also, a new north side scoreboard and some other things.

They usually take a breather after raising a bunch of money, which seems to be the case now.

Gotcha for some reason I thought they had finally set a date to do the pressbox but maybe I'm mixing that up with another one of their many projects.

OU had a large new class this year. It looks like the dorms are pretty maxed out. Continued growth at OU has been pretty amazing.

That's always been a future project

Kinda like the sign that says 'Free beer tomorrow' it feels like it'll never happen.

They tend to oscillate between scholastic capital fund raising and the athletic department.

I suspect they'll turn to some more school buildings then come back to the stadium and other sports projects.

The housing stuff is easy because it's self-funding but they always have to raise money for big academic buildings and renovations.

The Provost's first newsletter of the fall semester (sent about 2 weeks ago) did say that the new Residential Colleges are "almost full" (can't remember the exact wording he used).

OU had a large new class this year. It looks like the dorms are pretty maxed out. Continued growth at OU has been pretty amazing.

The acceptance rate has been dropping, too, as applications have shot up. Was talking with some colleagues and can't remember the exact number but when I heard our Fall '17 acceptance rate my jaw dropped.

What is this new construction in the middle of the engineering complex?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou082917g.jpg

It will be a new biomedical engineering building: http://www.ou.edu/content/coe/galloglyhall.html

^

Very nice!

Thanks.

That's always been a future project a long with re-doing a lot of the west side.

Also, a new north side scoreboard and some other things.

They usually take a breather after raising a bunch of money, which seems to be the case now.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the press box/west side was originally planned to be re-done along with the south endzone, but that plan was scrapped when the Oklahoma economy took a downturn and only the south endzone project moved forward. You can find old renderings with what it was all supposed to look like.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the press box/west side was originally planned to be re-done along with the south endzone, but that plan was scrapped when the Oklahoma economy took a downturn and only the south endzone project moved forward. You can find old renderings with what it was all supposed to look like.

I think this is what I was thinking about. Now that you say that it jogs some of my brain compartments.

I don't think that was ever the plan.

There was a master plan developed that had the west side and north side being largely re-done but I don't think it was ever announced as anything other than a phased conceptual plan.

I don't think that was ever the plan.

There was a master plan developed that had the west side and north side being largely re-done but I don't think it was ever announced as anything other than a phased conceptual plan.

OU unveiled a full website with all the conceptual plans and efforts to fundraise for both the south and west sides. This is from a 2015 ESPN article when OU scaled back their plans: http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12457310/oklahoma-sooners-scale-gaylord-family-oklahoma-memorial-stadium-renovation-plans


The University of Oklahoma has scaled down an ambitious renovation of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium by almost $200 million... Originally, the school had released plans to remodel its press box, renovate the west side of the stadium and add numerous suites, while also improving fan amenities such as better seating, concession stands and restrooms.

Boren said he expects the school to revisit a potential second phase down the line.

Originally, the south endzone and west side were pitched as one project, but it was scaled back to only include the south endzone. You can see the plan for the west side in the photo:

14097

Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the info.

Well, I had to look it up because I was a little hazy. OU has done a good job of scrubbing it all off their sites.

Well, I had to look it up because I was a little hazy. OU has done a good job of scrubbing it all off their sites.

Thanks for posting this Dan, this is all exactly what I was remembering. I had done a quick google search because I too had remembered a site and couldn't find anything. How quickly they want us all to forget. And really it's not like it matters. I think we all accept that sometimes other projects are more important than upgrade a press box which doesn't really effect us as fans. Maybe one of these days they'll do it.

^^^^^
Maybe the price of oil will be $100/bbl again one day.

I graduated from OU in 2012 and I am constantly amazed how much the campus has changed in just 5 years. It's quite a time to be a student on campus with all of the new buildings and renovations!

New Tailgating Policies:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIaTxnTV4AIgMf1.jpg

https://twitter.com/GeorgeStoia/status/902571262819438592

Ouch, seems like that took a big hit.

Tailgating at OU has always seemed to be lacking compared to other campuses I've visited.

Ouch, seems like that took a big hit.

Tailgating at OU has always seemed to be lacking compared to other campuses I've visited.

People on social media are up in arms. We will see how this goes on Saturday.

Yeah, what's the rationale for limiting tailgaiting so much?

Yeah, what's the rationale for limiting tailgaiting so much?

They said it was OU policy. I am assuming tailgating can't be within a certain distance of student housing. Since the new dorms are there that eliminated the Lindsey street tailgating.

I am interested to even see how much they enforce the tailgating limitations. I'll be there on Saturday so I plan on walking around to see what people are doing.

Yeah let us know, I sold my tickets so won't be going. I'd do some tailgating, but in general it just leaves a lot to be desired in Norman. I wish we did a better job of embracing it, like dare I say, the SEC.

Just saw a tweet that there is so much backlash on Twitter right now they are holding a meeting to address issue. lol


I think it's time for Boren to go before people turn on him. He's had a good run.

Just saw a tweet that there is so much backlash on Twitter right now they are holding a meeting to address issue. lol


I think it's time for Boren to go before people turn on him. He's had a good run.

Yeah, if they thought uprising was extreme over Boren allowing the hire of a crappy band director a few years back, they haven't seen anything yet. Eliminating tailgating on Lindsay will make people livid. I've heard that Boren has wanted to do this for awhile and it's ridiculous. He's done a lot of great things for OU, but it's time for some younger blood in Evans Hall.

I was just down on Lindsay on Sunday and that's almost all new sod right in front of the residential colleges.

I'm sure that's a least part of this... And hopefully just temporary.

If that's the case great, just tell us that so we don't get all pissy for nothing. But I think it's more than that. I heard last year they were going to stop this, so I'm not surprised.

Boren is so Provencal about drinking and any sort of 'partying'.

Remember when the new club section first opened on the east side of the stadium, and he was put off by people drinking up there so they banned beer?? That they made this silly covers for the beer taps and tried to pretend they weren't there?

I think he's been fantastic for the school but his attitudes too often reflect his age and level of isolation from the real world.

Boren is so Provencal about drinking and any sort of 'partying'.

Remember when the new club section first opened on the east side of the stadium, and he was put off by people drinking up there so they banned beer?? That they made this silly covers for the beer taps and tried to pretend they weren't there?

I think he's been fantastic for the school but his attitudes too often reflect his age and level of isolation from the real world.

He had heart surgery earlier this year. Fingers crossed that it hastens his departure. It's time.

On another note, given the constant need for additional funds for the athletic department, its pretty ridiculous that they haven't started allowing beer sales to the entire stadium. Texas has allowed it over the last few years and it hasn't caused their game days to descend into chaos (at least not off the football field). There's really no reason not to start capitalizing on that additional revenue stream.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the press box/west side was originally planned to be re-done along with the south endzone, but that plan was scrapped when the Oklahoma economy took a downturn and only the south endzone project moved forward. You can find old renderings with what it was all supposed to look like.

It was always going to be done in phases (no way to do it all in one year). The difference is that with the economy tanking the phases will have to be spread out further than originally intended. Also phase 2 will now be a new north side video board

Ouch, seems like that took a big hit.

Tailgating at OU has always seemed to be lacking compared to other campuses I've visited.

It's not. But it is a lot more spread out

Ou won't have tailgating around dorms ever

He had heart surgery earlier this year. Fingers crossed that it hastens his departure. It's time.

Regardless of what you think of Boren (I think he's been and still is doing a tremendous job overall), this is really low. It's disappointing to see someone make a comment like that on this board.

Regardless of what you think of Boren (I think he's been and still is doing a tremendous job overall), this is really low. It's disappointing to see someone make a comment like that on this board.

Oh whatever. Cry about it. I didn't wish death or ill health upon him. I meant that I hope the fact that he had heart surgery means he's closer to retiring. As I said before, he's done great things for OU and I appreciate that, but his best days are behind him. A new, younger president (preferably in place before health issues force Boren out of the job) would be better for the future of the school.

It's not. But it is a lot more spread out

Hmm

Boren is so Provencal about drinking and any sort of 'partying'.

Remember when the new club section first opened on the east side of the stadium, and he was put off by people drinking up there so they banned beer?? That they made this silly covers for the beer taps and tried to pretend they weren't there?

I think he's been fantastic for the school but his attitudes too often reflect his age and level of isolation from the real world.

You can be critical of his age, but to think he is isolated from the real world is just out of touch yourself. He is one of the most worldly men in OK... connected in many ways most have no idea of. His reach and respect from others outside of OK is great. Here, we tend to criticize him on things like drinking beer and a choice of band directors. In the face of lack of support and dwindling support from our state legislature, the academic growth of OU and improvement in educational facilities has been the best in our history. Complaining of moving tailgating 5-7 times a year because we built outstanding new college facilities on the site seems pretty silly, imho.

You can be critical of his age, but to think he is isolated from the real world is just out of touch yourself. He is one of the most worldly men in OK... connected in many ways most have no idea of. His reach and respect from others outside of OK is great. Here, we tend to criticize him on things like drinking beer and a choice of band directors. In the face of lack of support and dwindling support from our state legislature, the academic growth of OU and improvement in educational facilities has been the best in our history. Complaining of moving tailgating 5-7 times a year because we built outstanding new college facilities on the site seems pretty silly, imho.

The point is that there was no legitimate reason given for doing that. People that have tailgated there every year for the last 20+ have reason to be annoyed with it. It's been rumored for years that Boren wants to gradually move tailgating away from the stadium and this is more confirmation of that as are his moves on alcohol related rules around campus over the last 20 years. A heavy focus on academics is great and obviously important for a university president...Boren has excelled in that regard...but slowly sucking the fun out game days doesn't have to coincide with that. The people coming back to enjoy game days (alumni or otherwise) provide a major source of donors for the school and are not a group you want to piss off.

Oh whatever. Cry about it. I didn't wish death or ill health upon him. I meant that I hope the fact that he had heart surgery means he's closer to retiring. As I said before, he's done great things for OU and I appreciate that, but his best days are behind him. A new, younger president (preferably in place before health issues force Boren out of the job) would be better for the future of the school.

What newer, younger president with a fraction of the knowledge and connections of Boren would you iike? Boren is not perfect, but his vision and leadership are still incredibly effective. I disagree he's fading. I just disagree on his tailgate policy. Ultimately, the university has bigger fish to fry.

Regardless of what you think of Boren (I think he's been and still is doing a tremendous job overall), this is really low. It's disappointing to see someone make a comment like that on this board.

+1

Oh whatever. Cry about it. I didn't wish death or ill health upon him. I meant that I hope the fact that he had heart surgery means he's closer to retiring. As I said before, he's done great things for OU and I appreciate that, but his best days are behind him. A new, younger president (preferably in place before health issues force Boren out of the job) would be better for the future of the school.

I think wishing death (or a hastened death process) should be a ban-able offense. Dude, no act he has ever done is worthy of you saying that! Grow up! That's pathetic!