McGuirk Upgrade

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Still beyond disappointed that this school hasn't put together a capital investment/capital fundraising plan towards a new stadium, or at least major/significant renovations. The renderings shown last night were nothing like what was shown about a decade ago, and no explanation as to what happened with those ideas and why we're now settling on these "modernizations."


EDIT: "now settling", not "not settling"

[eldonabe]

Still beyond disappointed that this school hasn't put together a capital investment/capital fundraising plan towards a new stadium, or at least major/significant renovations. The renderings shown last night were nothing like what was shown about a decade ago, and no explanation as to what happened with those ideas and why we're not settling on these "modernizations."

Bamford did say "Creative" Fundraising.

Apparently that equates to higher parking fees and getting shittier STH seats if you don't bump your current donation level from what you do now.

[jjmc85]

Still beyond disappointed that this school hasn't put together a capital investment/capital fundraising plan towards a new stadium, or at least major/significant renovations. The renderings shown last night were nothing like what was shown about a decade ago, and no explanation as to what happened with those ideas and why we're not settling on these "modernizations."

Bamford did say "Creative" Fundraising.
I
Apparently that equates to higher parking fees and getting shittier STH seats if you don't bump your current donation level from what you do now.

Wait…what?

[inthescoop]

Still beyond disappointed that this school hasn't put together a capital investment/capital fundraising plan towards a new stadium, or at least major/significant renovations. The renderings shown last night were nothing like what was shown about a decade ago, and no explanation as to what happened with those ideas and why we're not settling on these "modernizations."

Bamford did say "Creative" Fundraising.

Apparently that equates to higher parking fees and getting shittier STH seats if you don't bump your current donation level from what you do now.

Didn't you hear, Bamford is out on the road most days playing golf with possible investors.... CrEaTiVe

[Juice Stand]

yup, I knew it. He's crying poor and doesn't actually have the money for the investments that he's promised. I could hear it in his vague shifty corporate BS statements at the impromptu presser a few months ago. From the Gazette:

In search of donations, one slide read “Bottom Line: We need more help than ever before. Be part of the solution.” The slide included pictures of the “Champions Club,” “Scholarship Society” and season tickets, all pointing to a UMass football helmet labeled “How Can You Help?”

How can I help? No, Bam, what are you doing to help? Anything? Give me a break, man. Look at this slide deck. What a joke.
https://x.com/ohsnapholdup/status/19981 ... 53/photo/1

[eldonabe]

Still beyond disappointed that this school hasn't put together a capital investment/capital fundraising plan towards a new stadium, or at least major/significant renovations. The renderings shown last night were nothing like what was shown about a decade ago, and no explanation as to what happened with those ideas and why we're not settling on these "modernizations."

Bamford did say "Creative" Fundraising.
I
Apparently that equates to higher parking fees and getting shittier STH seats if you don't bump your current donation level from what you do now.

Wait…what?

My apologies. This is a rumor, but it is unsubstantiated.

[Quann]

My current x post to our fearless leaders.

“ Fill in the cavernous gap between the field and the current first row of seating on each sideline of mcguirk. Model it after any other fbs or nfl stadium. Easy fix!! Please!! @UMassADBamford @thorrbjorn “

[McKinney]

I'm still happy they're doing something to pretty up the place. It is lipstick on a pig, and it's not cheap. But it's something obvious that needed to be done. Let's plant some grass and trees, and make the place lit well, green, and a nice place to walk around. Great. I think the facade refresh actually fits the mid-century modern look better than I expected.

But let's not pretend this is a "vision". I'm somewhat confused why it's being presented in "3 Phases". And ultimately it just feels like relatively minor (and to some degree required) site-improvement. This is the full thing? This feels like a Phase 1.

Yet again, it feels like we’re being asked to lower our expectations for what UMass football can be.

Also, UMass might want to consult their official colors now being Maroon & Black before they paint it white and hang 200 white panels up.

[minutefanjsf]

I'm still happy they're doing something to pretty up the place. It is lipstick on a pig, and it's not cheap. But it's something obvious that needed to be done. Let's plant some grass and trees, and make the place lit well, green, and a nice place to walk around. Great. I think the facade refresh actually fits the mid-century modern look better than I expected.

But let's not pretend this is a "vision". I'm somewhat confused why it's being presented in "3 Phases". And ultimately it just feels like relatively minor (and to some degree required) site-improvement. This is the full thing? This feels like a Phase 1.

Yet again, it feels like we’re being asked to lower our expectations for what UMass football can be.

Also, UMass might want to consult their official colors now being Maroon & Black before they paint it white and hang 200 white panels up.

So, I’ve asked a few more questions to some in the know. This is phase one. Why they didn’t say this at anytime in the hour long commercial and sales pitch blows my mind. The black as an official color is for print/ media because most paper is white. They are planning new bathrooms etc in front of the refurbished bathrooms and those refurbished bathrooms will become locker rooms for the band, cheerleaders, dance team etc. I believe the stuff we see here is hopeful for next season. I also know they are planning of video board banners, not sure if that is phase one or two.

[TheInsider]

Gotta love that the pretty much richest state in the nation that will pay an adjuct lecturer 100k for 1 class.. needs "help"..

[jjmc85]

Gotta love that the pretty much richest state in the nation that will pay an adjuct lecturer 100k for 1 class.. needs "help"..

Having been an adjunct at a community college for many years… I WISH.

[Quann]

Those slides are beyond disappointing. You have to start to bring the fans closer to the field. There is nothing addressing that and the one end zone is still wide open. Just an awful atmosphere for fbs college football. Bamford and Thorr can take the 45 minute ride down to the Rent and do a tour. Location kinda sucks but the stadium has a nice layout, good sightlines and an intimate feel.

[minutefanjsf]

Those slides are beyond disappointing. You have to start to bring the fans closer to the field. There is nothing addressing that and the one end zone is still wide open. Just an awful atmosphere for fbs college football. Bamford and Thorr can take the 45 minute ride down to the Rent and do a tour. Location kinda sucks but the stadium has a nice layout, good sightlines and an intimate feel.

My guess is that is phase two. I also was told these renderings are in fact not AI but from architecture software. I am not giving Bamford a pass at all. He should have the money lined up and be able to much more than these pictures show.

[harbo]

An odd mish mash of improvements. The overhead views show no light stanchions, but they show up in the ground-level views. If you are hiding the (unverified from my point of view) crumbling concrete underbelly of the stands with white panels, why not put up some solar panels to show the commitment to potential savings in future electrical needs. Not sure if any infrastructure improvements for future media needs are evident. No indication of improvements to the fan experience except perhaps a decent parking area (paved?) to the northeast of the stadium. A sloppy effort which pretty much exemplifies the term "lipstick on a pig".

[InnervisionsUMASS]

An odd mish mash of improvements. The overhead views show no light stanchions, but they show up in the ground-level views. If you are hiding the (unverified from my point of view) crumbling concrete underbelly of the stands with white panels, why not put up some solar panels to show the commitment to potential savings in future electrical needs. Not sure if any infrastructure improvements for future media needs are evident. No indication of improvements to the fan experience except perhaps a decent parking area (paved?) to the northeast of the stadium. A sloppy effort which pretty much exemplifies the term "lipstick on a pig".

Whoa whoa whoa... slow down buddy. You expect this Department to have ideas like that? They still can't figure out traffic management! One step at a time, please!