When we expand Oklahoma Memorial Stadium again...

[Fraggle145]

How do you want to do it?

I havent seen another thread that actually specifically covers this issue.

I like the upper deck sorta like what texas is doing. I think if you want to make a place louder you keep noise in by building up, and it still lets the breeze come in from the south.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/MustangGT281ci/DKRtransition.gif

[GoState]

What has the seating capacity been of Memorial Stadium through the various stadium expansion projects over the years? I see that it's around 82k now. Approximately how many seats would building up the north endzone add?

[OU-HSV]

Upper deck in the North End Zone would be awesome.

[Fraggle145]

What has the seating capacity been of Memorial Stadium through the various stadium expansion projects over the years? I see that it's around 82k now. Approximately how many seats would building up the north endzone add?

From Soonersports.com (http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=300&KEY=&ATCLID=25219)

I think an addition like that is going to add about 5,000 seats.




Home of the Sooners
Memorial Stadium's rich heritage has not hindered its evolution, a never-ending growth fueled by the football program's overwhelming popularity. Almost since its inception, the stadium has been a work in progress.

That fact holds true today. The recent $75 million expansion and renovation of OU's football stadium transformed a towering concrete structure into a beautiful facility featuring the brick and cast stone that characterizes OU's historic campus.

A clock tower on the north side of the stadium and expansive tree-lined plazas on the northwest, northeast and southeast corners of the stadium were special features of the new design. The project also included the addition of the Asp Avenue Parking Facility, a six-level parking structure located west of the stadium, and a war memorial to OU faculty, staff and students who gave their lives in the service of the country.

The project added 8,000 seats, including 27 suites, on the east side for the 2003 season. At the same time, the press box was remodeled and outfitted with several state of the art features.

An additional 27 suites in the new east upper deck opened for the 2004 season bringing the total number of suites to 63 (54 east, nine west). Renovations to the Santee Lounge, restroom and concessions facilities and a new brick facade on the west side further enhanced Oklahoma Memorial Stadium's reputation as one of the finest venues in all of college football.

In the two years prior to the stadium upgrade and expansion, renovations were completed in the coaches' offices, locker rooms, sports medicine and weight training facilities.

STADIUM HISTORY
In 1921, University of Oklahoma students started a movement for construction of a student union. By 1925, the idea had grown to include a combined football stadium/student union. In the original architect's drawings, the north end of the proposed structure was strikingly similar to the present Oklahoma Memorial Union, which eventually was constructed separately when head coach Bennie Owen suggested it would be best to raise funds for a union and a stadium.

The first game played at the site took place Oct. 20,1923 (a 63-7 win over Washington, Mo.), before the stadium/union plan got under way. The field was named Owen Field after Owen, who became a charter member of the National Football Hall of Fame.

In 1925, the first contest was played in front of the new stands on the west side of the field. The 16,000-seat Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, named in honor of University personnel who died in World War I, was erected at a cost of approximately $293,000.

Stands on the east side of the stadium were added prior to the 1929 season. That addition increased the seating capacity to 32,000, where it stood for 20 years. In 1949, OU president George L. Cross pushed for expansion and the result was a six-foot lowering of the old playing surface and the elimination of a running track that surrounded the playing area. The changes produced 7,000 new ringside seats and brought capacity to 55,000. The north end of the stadium also was enclosed. In 1957, green grandstand bleachers were added to the south end of the field, enabling the stadium to hold 61,836 fans.

Eighteen years later came the addition of the upper deck and new press box. Another 8,436 seats were added at a cost of $5,726,345. Capacity for the 1975 National Championship season was 71,187. Before the 1980 season, the old green bleachers were replaced with the new south end zone facility. In addition to improved seating, the complex included coaches' offices, the weight room, meeting rooms, a training room, the equipment room and two locker rooms. The addition brought the stadium capacity to 75,004. Capacity was decreased to 72,765 prior to the 1998 season to provide more wheelchair seating.

In July, 1970 the original natural grass surface was removed and artificial turf was installed. That tartan turf was replaced with super turf before the 1981 season. Owen Field returned to grass in 1994.

A Stadium Master Plan was approved by the OU Board of Regents in June 1994. Construction of nine west side suites began in April 1995 and was completed that year. The suites are leased annually. Eight of the suites seat 12 and the President's suite seats 24.

Subsequent improvements included the installation of stadium lights to allow night games, a new scoreboard and a video screen.

The Barry Switzer Center, named after the former OU head football coach, opened in April 1999. That complex includes a sports medicine facility with the latest equipment and technology to better accommodate OU's student-athletes; the Robin Siegfried and Family Strength and Conditioning Facility, which will accommodate more than 400 athletes; new locker rooms; new coaches offices; the Anderson All-American Plaza and the OU Touchdown Club Legends Lobby. The Legends Lobby features some of OU's finest moments and most legendary figures.

[AlabamaSooner]

What has the seating capacity been of Memorial Stadium through the various stadium expansion projects over the years? I see that it's around 82k now. Approximately how many seats would building up the north endzone add?

Most endzone expansions tend to add between 8,000-10,000 seats. Not sure how many could be added at Owen Field, but that's usually the range.

[OSUAggie]

You could always do the Florida/Penn State/aTm/Clemson/Va Tech triple deck end zone... Those are fun.

[SoonerStats]

What has the seating capacity been of Memorial Stadium through the various stadium expansion projects over the years? I see that it's around 82k now. Approximately how many seats would building up the north endzone add?
http://www.soonerstats.com/football/stadium/index.cfm

[Fraggle145]

http://www.soonerstats.com/football/stadium/index.cfm

I think it would add that many only if it went up to the second decks on each side. which would accomplish my goal of building up!

[IronSooner]

I still think we need to pool some money to donate to the next expansion, and make part of it go toward permanently naming it OMS.

[Fraggle145]

1928
http://www.soonerstats.com/images/oms/1928.jpg

1940
http://www.soonerstats.com/images/oms/1940.jpg

1960s
http://www.soonerstats.com/images/oms/196x.jpg

1976
http://www.soonerstats.com/images/oms/1976.jpg

1977-78
http://www.soonerstats.com/images/oms/1978-b8mg.jpg

1980s
http://www.soonerstats.com/images/oms/198x-north.jpg

1992
http://www.soonerstats.com/images/oms/1993mg-1.jpg

2003
http://www.soonerstats.com/images/oms/2003.jpg

All images stolen from soonerstats.com (http://www.soonerstats.com/football/oms/gallery.cfm)

[GoState]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize it had gone through so many different upgrades over the year. Are endzone upgrades the only changes being batted around right now? Is there any talk of adding an upper deck to the west side?

[OSUAggie]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize it had gone through so many different upgrades over the year. Are endzone upgrades the only changes being batted around right now? Is there any talk of adding an upper deck to the west side?

There's already an upper deck on the west side... The big one.

[Fraggle145]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize it had gone through so many different upgrades over the year. Are endzone upgrades the only changes being batted around right now? Is there any talk of adding an upper deck to the west side?

Its the north side... our stadium isnt directionally FUBARred like yours.

[OSUAggie]

Gotta bowl in the South side to complete the octagonal thought.

[GoState]

Its the north side... our stadium isnt directionally FUBARred like yours.

I thought the north side was the bowled-in endzone? Here's the seating chart from soonersports (north side on top):

http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics9/0/PU/PUMKDILQTMKYBMX.20060424205838.gif

When I asked about the possibility of an upper deck on the west side, I'm talking about one like the crazy-high upperdeck on the east side.

[Fraggle145]

I thought the north side was the bowled-in endzone? Here's the seating chart from soonersports (north side on top):

When I asked about the possibility of an upper deck on the west side, I'm talking about one like the crazy-high upperdeck on the east side.

Ah, I thought you were talking about the endzone... You can see how when talking to an ag who has the wrong field orientation I could get confused. :D

I dont think we will do another one like that on the west side till we have altered at least one of the endzones.

[Jewstin]

One word: DOME. Yeahhhhhhh.

[Fraggle145]

One word: DOME. Yeahhhhhhh.

:eek: :mad: gross! football is meant to be played outside!

[Rhino]

The press box was just updated on the west side, so it's there to stay for another twenty years at least - probably longer. And barring it falling down, I don't see us tearing it down just to match the other side.

Plus, you'd have to worry about all the offices and lounges underneath the west side upperdeck.

[Jimminy Crimson]

Triple deck South endzone structure. The North end zone looks too good right now. South, ehh, not so much.

[bluedogok]

Go North, it would be the easiest at this point, then redo the entire South end zone.

[JDawg2303]

Triple deck South endzone structure. The North end zone looks too good right now. South, ehh, not so much.

I agree. At first I thought we should do the upper deck on the north side but now that you brought up the money just spent to redo the north side, I think a lot of attention should be focused on the South side. It does look pretty crappy so I think they should match the north end at first, then add upper decks to both in the distant future.

[Fraggle145]

I agree. At first I thought we should do the upper deck on the north side but now that you brought up the money just spent to redo the north side, I think a lot of attention should be focused on the South side. It does look pretty crappy so I think they should match the north end at first, then add upper decks to both in the distant future.

I think if we do the south endzone then we should do it full out double deck style from jump street and not pus$yfoot around.

[Seamus]

1.
Triple deck South endzone structure. Hell yes!

2. The Seamus Foundation categorically backs a constitutional amendment banning all non-retractable domes.

[oumartin]

can't we just have those wonderful facilities at Stillwater? I mean really they are so freakin' wonderful and all that. at least then the stadium would be filled.

[picasso]

Gotta bowl in the South side to complete the octagonal thought.
no. we don't need a bowl.

put an upper deck on the north side and then leave it be and let God enjoy.

[BajaOklahoma]

So what are you going to do about the Switzer Center? With all of the $$$ just spent on it, i don't see them ripping it up.

I remember the days when I was afraid my purse would fall below the bleachers on the South End.

[Fraggle145]

So what are you going to do about the Switzer Center? With all of the $$$ just spent on it, i don't see them ripping it up.

I remember the days when I was afraid my purse would fall below the bleachers on the South End.

Why cant we just incorporate the switzer center into the structure? would that be a possibility?

[Ardmore_Sooner]

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/oregon/eugene_autzen1.jpg

Big goofy roof noise thingy like Oregon!!!
I keed!! :D

[Rhino]

I think we should uproot the stadium and rotate it 90 degrees counter-clockwise.

[OSUAggie]

That's the only way to get it running the right direction... ;)

[goingoneight]

You could always do the Florida/Penn State/aTm/Clemson/Va Tech triple deck end zone... Those are fun.

Yeah, minus the nose bleeders who are up above you. Can anyone actually see the game from a triple-deck? I don't know... I've never been that high up in one before.


Edit. And OSUAggie, I was being sarcastic with the nosebleed dealio. :)

[goingoneight]

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/oregon/eugene_autzen1.jpg

Big goofy roof noise thingy like Oregon!!!
I keed!! :D

How much do referees cost these days?

[goingoneight]

That's the only way to get it running the right direction... ;)

God knows we want to be running in the right direction, big brother. ;)

[humblesooner]

I thought the north side was the bowled-in endzone? Here's the seating chart from soonersports (north side on top):

http://sooner.nmn.speedera.net/pics9/0/PU/PUMKDILQTMKYBMX.20060424205838.gif

When I asked about the possibility of an upper deck on the west side, I'm talking about one like the crazy-high upperdeck on the east side.


Actually, the west side upperdeck is about the same height as the new ones on the east. The west side has many more rows than the two east sides, so the are about the same height already.

[humblesooner]

How do you want to do it?

I havent seen another thread that actually specifically covers this issue.

I like the upper deck sorta like what texas is doing. I think if you want to make a place louder you keep noise in by building up, and it still lets the breeze come in from the south.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/MustangGT281ci/DKRtransition.gif

I've made this suggestion before.

First, add an upper deck to the North EZ to match the existing deck on the West (more seats).

Then move all the season ticket holders in the South EZ in to those seats for a couple of years.

Then, demolish the current South EZ and rebuild it to match the lower bowl, thus enclosing the stadium.

Then the next obvious expansion would be to put an upper deck on the South EZ.

These would get seating capacity in the 100,000 range.

[AlabamaSooner]

Actually, the west side upperdeck is about the same height as the new ones on the east. The west side has many more rows than the two east sides, so the are about the same height already.

Unless I've gone crazy, those upper decks aren't nearly the same height. I've been in both plenty of times since the new addition and I can say that the East UD towers over the West UD. It's even easier to see from Sarkeys.

[OUDoc]

Courtesy, I think, of Andy a few years ago. In black is the west deck, in red is the east deck.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/oudoc/OUDeckBlueprints.jpg

[humblesooner]

Unless I've gone crazy, those upper decks aren't nearly the same height. I've been in both plenty of times since the new addition and I can say that the East UD towers over the West UD. It's even easier to see from Sarkeys.

I'll stand corrected. According to Doc's diagram, nearly the entire third deck on the east is higher than the seats in the west.

I have sat in the top row of the west, but have never been in either of the two new decks on the east.

I guess the club seating pushes the third deck a little higher than I envisioned.

Thanks,

[TMcGee86]

I would enclose the south.

and I'd leave the flag poles there, Minute Maid Park style. That would be totally sweet.

[boomersoonerdude]

We gotta close off the endzones.

[AlabamaSooner]

We gotta close off the endzones.

I'm so torn when it comes to this. Sure we've got a big stadium, but not having it fully enclosed screams "I'm not a big time stadium yet." I don't know, just my opinion. However, it is kinda cool to be able to look outside the stadium and see some of the campus. Doesn't hurt either on those hot gamedays when we need a cool breeze. So I see advantages to both for sure.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing the current press box replaced. Not an easy thing to do though.

[boomersooner82]

Do what it takes to bowl in the south endzone while perserving the Switzer Center (can probably be done). For further expansion add an upperdeck on the south side cutting into the practice field. If more expansion is needed, a north endzone upperdeck should be last. I'm a fan of the clock, the reflecting pool and the scene walking toward the stadium from the north and being able to see inside.... But that's just me.

[TheUnnamedSooner]

They can't close in the south endzone anyway, it was built differently (angle wise) than the stadium, they would have to tear down what is there and start from scratch. Build up is what I say (louder!). It gets so hot in the early games, we need all the breeze we can.

[Desert Sapper]

http://www.memphisbuckeyes.org/Ohio_Stadium%5B1%5D.jpg

The Sooners of the North have a pretty nice stadium, and it's not completely enclosed, and it has an upperdeck on the North Side, a better South side, and 100,000 seats. I like it. I like it alot. Memorial Stadium could have a similar feel, only more octagonal and cooler.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e340/mbcrain25/ou-osucomparitive.jpg
Anybody else see it?

[TheUnnamedSooner]

Sooners of the north? :confused:

[OUstud]

Sooners of the north? :confused:

Unfortunately, only us and them have lost the MNC and Bball title game in the same year. :(

[AlabamaSooner]

There is only ONE "Sooners"

[oumartin]

There can be only one!

[TheUnnamedSooner]

but not having it fully enclosed screams "I'm not a big time stadium yet."

Tell that to the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, among others...

[AlabamaSooner]

Tell that to the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, among others...

I don't know, maybe it's just me. However, I often have heard, "why isn't your stadium closed in?" from other opponents' fans. Most traditional powers have the full bowl so that's why I probably feel this way. Thank goodness we finally got the new upper deck because we were lagging behind big time for a while there.

[illinisooner]

It just wouldn't look right if we enclosed the upper deck or even the south end zone. If there is ever another re expansion, I'd vote for a second deck above the north end zone...a little bigger than what Texas is doing but certainly nothing like Kyle Field. Push the capacity close to 100k.

[Soonerfan88]

I don't think there needs to be any expansion. Until it's impossible to get tickets 15 minutes before kickoff (especially for $15-0), seating expansion makes no fiscal sense at all. Just because texas and atm don't mind having empty seats for all but 1 game a year doesn't mean OU should join them just to claim 100,000 capacity. The money would be better spent upgrading what is already there instead - finish bathrooms & concession stands and modernize the press box.

They are already working on the scoreboards & sound system and I have also heard that the athlete's facilities (locker room, training rooms, lounges, etc) under the south end zone are scheduled to have improvements for this year or next.

[Cam]

no. we don't need a bowl.
Just out of curiosity, why?

[royalfan5]

Just don't put over 50% of your seats in the end zone in a predominately single decked facility.

[oupride]

Thanks for posting all these pics Fraggle!

[Fraggle145]

http://www.memphisbuckeyes.org/Ohio_Stadium%5B1%5D.jpg

The Sooners of the North have a pretty nice stadium, and it's not completely enclosed, and it has an upperdeck on the North Side, a better South side, and 100,000 seats. I like it. I like it alot. Memorial Stadium could have a similar feel, only more octagonal and cooler.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e340/mbcrain25/ou-osucomparitive.jpg
Anybody else see it?

Ya that would be cool. Sooners of the north is teh suck. There can be only one!

http://www.highlanders.co.nz/images/highlander_resam.jpg

[goingoneight]

The reason I'd like it bowled in... is because I have 20/20 vision, or so Dr. Zoellner says, and I can't see shat from those high rise tackle box things everyone else across the country is putting on their respective stadiums. I know some people, don't like the idea... that's cool... but man... the Switzer Cneter Hall of Fame, a bowled-in Stadium (90,000- 100,000), the beauty that is OUr campus... can you imagine the recruiting upper hand we'd have? Maybe then there wouldn't be the amount of dumbasses there are choosing to go to the likes of Oklahoma Sheep U to "win championships." I still don't get that one...

[MichiganSooner]

I'll stand corrected. According to Doc's diagram, nearly the entire third deck on the east is higher than the seats in the west.

I have sat in the top row of the west, but have never been in either of the two new decks on the east.

I guess the club seating pushes the third deck a little higher than I envisioned.

Thanks,

I've sat in the second row from the top on both sides. From the east side, it seemed that directly across the field at the same height was the top of the press box. I've sat on the east upper deck twice and was a little queezy both times for the first half hour of so. Holding onto rails, that kind of thing. Plus the light poles swayed in the wind which gave me the feeling the seats were swaying and the poles were still. You can see fine but can not hear the band real well.

I'm for doubling up the north and bulding up the south. Like Ohio Stadium. They were never going to build in the south of the Horseshoe but it was done. Not a perfect bowl but it got them over 100,000.

[Sabla]

I would like to see aclosed endzone in the south side.

[OSUAggie]

Just don't put over 50% of your seats in the end zone in a predominately single decked facility.

heh. Is it really more than 50%?

[Desert Sapper]

There is only ONE "Sooners"

Agree, but the similarities are striking...unenclosed stadium...tradition...crazy-*** head coaching legend...current coach destined for legend and came straight outta Youngstown...embarrassed in the big game by a team thought to be out of their league...Heisman winner embarrassed in the big game and lost most of his draft stock...colors are similar...old 'O' symbols nearly identical...etc...

...of course, there is only ONE OKLAHOMA

...and we don't have a pot leaf spirit sticker or a goofy poisonous nut for a mascot

I still like their big *** stadium and wish we were the first in the Big XII with 100,000+ seats.

[Fraggle145]

Agree, but the similarities are striking...unenclosed stadium...tradition...crazy-*** head coaching legend...current coach destined for legend and came straight outta Youngstown...embarrassed in the big game by a team thought to be out of their league...Heisman winner embarrassed in the big game and lost most of his draft stock...colors are similar...old 'O' symbols nearly identical...etc...

...of course, there is only ONE OKLAHOMA

...and we don't have a pot leaf spirit sticker or a goofy poisonous nut for a mascot

I still like their big *** stadium and wish we were the first in the Big XII with 100,000+ seats.

Good to see you still got some sense about ya. I agree there are a lot of similarities. except their student body is way, way, way bigger than ours. I almost went there for college :eek: . glad I didnt :D

[royalfan5]

heh. Is it really more than 50%?
roughly 5/8 of the seats are in the end zones. Of course there are always filled, unlike some other stadiums in the conference.

[OSUAggie]

We will have 0 empty end zone seats for the 2nd consecutive year in 2007.

[bstuff1979]

I think they should leave the south endzone, and here's why: Colossus of Rhodes Barry Switzer. The feet would rest on either side of the stadium seating. If the stadium were to ever be bowled in, this could not be.

[Desert Sapper]

I think they should leave the south endzone, and here's why: Colossus of Rhodes Barry Switzer. The feet would rest on either side of the stadium seating. If the stadium were to ever be bowled in, this could not be.

Colossus of Norman...pffft.. we all know that has to be Bud.

[Easy180]

My wish would be the south end zone, but it does seem impractical...Whatever they do I hope they make it where it traps noise in better...Way too quiet in there for a big time program's stadium

[SoonerSinger3]

What they need to do is enclose the southwestern and southeastern corners of the south endzone, so the noise will stay in. Also, upper deck north end zone, then our stadium would be perfecto!

[lubbocksooner]

North, let the breeze come in and give some shade to the lower deck.

[MichiganSooner]

[QUOTE=Soonerfan88]I don't think there needs to be any expansion. Until it's impossible to get tickets 15 minutes before kickoff (especially for $15-0), seating expansion makes no fiscal sense at all. QUOTE]

Tickets are not available at the ticket office; they are all sold out. Using your logic, I guess we shouldn't have expanded from 74,000 to 84,000 because people were selling tickets before gametime back then. In a crowd of 100,000 there will always be people who cannot attend due to work or other reasons.
Please bowl it in or make similiar to the horseshoe and double or even triple deck the north just like the east side.

[stoopified]

Lets go for the whole enchilada,a 100,000 domed version of Owen Field-Memorial Stadium.Retractable roof over the field.

[TopDawg]

They can't close in the south endzone anyway, it was built differently (angle wise) than the stadium, they would have to tear down what is there and start from scratch.

It looks like the same is true of Ohio State's stadium, but they pulled it off.

http://www.memphisbuckeyes.org/Ohio_Stadium%5B1%5D.jpg