Big House Renovations in Freep

Submitted by Sven_Da_M on

So it's clear that David Brandon understands the value of publicity.  And he won't let past skirmishes with the Freep get in the way of selling out Big House suites and club seats.

Witness today's Sunday Free Press.  He gives [Reporter Redacted] an exclusive tour:

Article (Danger, Will Robinson)

And they get awesome photos.

Click (or not), whatever.  Mr. Brandon is focused on September 4th and the $226 million of debt to retire.

MGoShoe

July 4th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^

...was the most interesting to me. It's a view I hadn't seen yet -- looking west from the west tower suites through the arches that rise over S. Main.

Also, a shout out to IUandUofM for his series of MGoBoard posts about the new seating and amenities gleaned from his various tours.

Blazefire

July 5th, 2010 at 9:21 PM ^

The reflective glass DOES work. They said that the double walled glass panels with the paint on the rear panel didn't really accomplish its intended effect. It sure seems to in that photo. I didn't notice it so much when I was there last year, but I wasn't really watching the buildings.

Section 1

July 4th, 2010 at 11:00 AM ^

anything, from the Michigan Atletic Deartment, unless it was an "exclusive nuclear wedgie."

Since the story is about the physical structure that Michigan Stadium has become, it might have been hard for Snyder to work in the usual agitprop regarding Rich Rodriguez.  But that didn't stop the worthies of the Freep.com Comments pages.

It is truly remarkable; the extent to which the Free Press -- and not just its sportwriters and publisher, but also the mojority of its readership -- have become a repository of hate toward Michigan.  By my informal count (disgust set in before I could read more than a few of the revolting pages), a clear majority of Commenters don't simply have questions or doubts or anything else that Freep editors might claim to have done as a public service as part of the civic Fourth Estate.  No; Freep readers by and large just HATE Michigan.  They've been well trained.

Here we have the alumni and supporters of the University of Michigan, with their own non-tax dollars creating something that is world class for the State, and at the Free Press it inspires nothing but hate and contempt and misconsception.  The comments:  "What Michigan needs is a coaching makeover...  What else the money could have been used for...  etc., etc."

Fuck the Free Press.  Fuck Snyder, and Rosenberg, and Drew Sharpton.  And fuck that brand of Free Press-reader. 

Sven_Da_M

July 4th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^

1. Don't assume all senior people at the Freep and at Detroit Media Partnership have it in for Michigan.  They do not.  I know this for a fact.

2. Don't assume a majority of Freep subscribers have it in for Michigan.  They can afford it, they have jobs, many probably went to Michigan or have family/friends that did.  They just have other things going on in their lives.

3. Comments on a website (particularly anonymous ones) does not equal readers.  They are people with a need to vent, probably many are Sparty faithful or grads of the lesser state schools (God love 'em).

I didn't post this to dredge up the whole Freep/NCAA thing.  I posted it because it shows me that David Brandon wants to move on and realizes that an awesome Saturday experience (on and off the field) is the best revenge.  Make no mistake about it, he approved this exclusive for the Freep, especially with [Reporter Redacted] on the story.  Hell, he probably even ran it by Mary Sue.

Know this: two full pages in color in the Sunday Freep would cost more for ads than the Freep would generate in banner ad click-throughs on Michigan stories in a thousand years.

One reason I can't wait for UConn is I desperately want to have it out on the gridiron.  Denard under center or in the shotgun, full force Dilithium mayhem with the Snake Oil Wizard RichRod finally opening up his playbook.  On the hapless pre-season teams and especially on an unsuspecting Big Ten.

Scoreboard, bitches, scoreboard.

bluebyyou

July 4th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^

As nice as the new stadium looks, they have managed to leave in place the one thing everybody uses all the time - the antiquated scoreboard.  Hopefully, they will soon be replaced. 

Freep still sucks...the amount of negative reporting directed toward Michigan can hardly be construed as anything but an agenda.

Section 1

July 4th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^

Brandon has already said so.  The day is coming.  If you've got a spare $15m or so, they might get to it right away, and they'd be happy (and so would I) to name it "The bluebyyou South Scoreboard."

I regard parking as a more urgent problem, becuase parking is how you enhance the game-day experience, and enhancing the game-day experience is how you generate the kind of loyal support that allows you to run the kind of program that can do a $250m renovation in the first place.

bluebyyou

July 4th, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^

I'd be happy to share that new scoreboard with Section 1 and the other 110K fans at each game - the 15 million, that's a bit tougher.

As far as parking goes, I find that to be one of the minor problems on game day.  You might have to walk a bit, depending upon how much you want to pay, but if you think it is bad in Ann Arbor, try visiting State College and many other college towns.  You will walk forever hoping to find your car in the cow pasture in which you parked, and then traffic getting out of town is hopeless. Try getting out of West Lafayette after a game and there are 40K fewer fans in attendance.

Section 1

July 4th, 2010 at 12:43 PM ^

All are different, in their own way.

MSU has the advantage of all of that University land-grant real estate around Spartan Stadium that dual-uses as game day parking.  OSU is very similar.  Camp Randall has no parking to speak of, but it is also closer to the rest of campus and the city.  Northwestern has nothing on us, and there are lots of other good and bad and in between.  Minnesota used to be about as much fun as going to watch the Vikings; it might be better now, I don't know. 

I don't say what I say, on a comparison basis.  I don't want Michigan to be like anybody else.  I want Michigan to do things its own way, and just be the best it can be, which is likely to be better than anybody else.

Parking improvments, if done right, might enhance a lot of other game experiences, including Basketball, Baseball and Hockey.

kevin holt

July 4th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^

do you propose?

I am very, very against any sort of parking structure being put up. And really, I don't know of any place that could have parking that doesn't currently. There are a few cement lots that aren't being used for anything else (think party bus), but really if there is space near Elbel Field that could be used for anything, I would be in favor of more athletic/recreational fields. Maybe I'm biased, being that I'm a student and my agenda isn't strictly about getting fans to games in a comfortable fashion. I use recreation fields often, and I walk a pretty long distance to games (and wouldn't have it any other way).

Don't get me wrong, I think parking is horrific in Ann Arbor. I brought my car this past year, and even with a parking permit, I got around 10 citations. It's ridiculous. But before I was a student, when we would come to the Big House, we found parking far away and walked over the tracks and the golf course and got there.

If anything, maybe some of the worse-for-wear areas to the West should be renovated for better parking? However, this would still be a long walk, so I'm not sure it solves your issue.

If we need comfortable and cushy parking renovations to generate loyal support, I don't know why I'm in the student section of every football/hockey game screaming my lungs out. I think we're a cut above the rest in that we don't need renovations, we will be loyal in fair weather and in foul. We can go 0-12 one year and I'll still be 100%.

Bando Calrissian

July 4th, 2010 at 5:48 PM ^

The Athletic Department has far out-promised itself as far as parking for Victors Club donors goes.  More donors who should otherwise be guaranteed parking without an arduous hike than there are actual spaces.  Has little to do with ensuring support as it does being fair to people who pay the bills. 

Michigan football parking is amongst the worst in the Big 10.  It's a fact of life. There would be NOTHING compromised by putting a parking structure at the back of the Blue Lot near the tunnel to the Golf Course.  And it's not like the University doesn't need those spaces the rest of the year, either.

Sgt. Wolverine

July 4th, 2010 at 9:06 PM ^

I think you're abusing the word arduous.  Yeah, a lot of people have to walk a little while to get to the stadium from their parking spots, but I wouldn't call a walk to the stadium an arduous hike for the vast majority of able-bodied individuals -- and I say that as a less-than-able-bodied individual who has made a few long walks to the stadium.

Wolverine318

July 4th, 2010 at 11:46 PM ^

funny considering the no parking pass parking is over one mile away from Memorial stadium.  That was the situation last time I was there in 2004 when I attended the Purdue/Illinois game as a Purdue senior. 

Even Camp Randall has a horrible situation. There is zero parking around the stadium. I have been to many of the stadiums in the big ten, minus the shoe, iowa, and penn state. Michigan has the best parking situation I have seen. 

bluebyyou

July 4th, 2010 at 11:01 PM ^

Personally, I love the walk.  Going to the game is a blast...and the walk to the car or whatever after the game, assuming we win, is another high.  The Ann Arbor police do a great job of getting traffic to 94.  I think Ann Arbor, post-game, is about as good as it gets from a traffic perspective.  If you don't think so, go visit some other schools on game day.  

M-Wolverine

July 5th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^

Or spend it sitting and running and burning gas in a traffic jam. Ann Arbor has about the best gameday traffic patterns in the Big Ten (or Notre Dame). You spend half the gameday trip going the last 2 miles. These towns become parking lots on the road. Partially because everyone doesn't park in the same spot.

Section 1

July 5th, 2010 at 12:47 AM ^

I'll be as clear as I possibly can.

In 2010, with premium seating coming on line, the Athletic Department found itself in a wholly uncharachteristic bind.  They were actually LOSING a significant portion of the Blue Lot (for Crisler construction; an idea which I doubt, but which is a done deal no matter what I say), at the very same time that Blue Lot parking demand very suddenly shot to an all-new high.

Basically, at the same moment that they needed about 25-30% MORE Blue Lot spaces (for the new Box and Club Seating Patrons), they acutally LOST 25-30% of the Blue Lot.

And it sucks; such that loyal M-Club, Victors' Club and Presidents' Club members who had parked in the Blue Lot for 30 or 40 years (I am NOT kidding) were being shunted off to other locations.

And as I have loudly preached before, the luxury boxes create a peculiar conundrum for the game-day experience.  What you will have, are lots of people who will park their cars very near to the stadium, and then go inside to their luxury boxes.  To "tailgate."  (Where, I fervently hope, the patrons with lots of money will be convinced to donate large chunks of it to the University of Michigan.  Since that is the whole idea behind the boxes.)  But very uncharacteristically for Michigan Stadium, that leaves large portions of the Blue Lot as parking-lot wastelands in the hours before a game.  Empty cars, their occupants inside the luxury boxes, having a buffet, instead of opening up the tailgates and enjoying a cold beverage in the Blue Lot.

This is not good.  We need to fix this.

And while we're at it, we need to create some parking space for enough fans to FILL Ray L. Fisher Stadium.   And to have plenty of parking for hockey at Yost. 

Two things could help this. 

First, a new, modest, attractive parking structure at the far southeast part of the Blue Lot, with a modern walkway and tunnel connecting to Fisher and Yost, near the tunnel under Stadium that could also serve the golf course (not to mention softball).

Second, a very modern state-of-the-art structure off Main Street at the North end of the Stadium, to host luxury parking for the people heading to luxury boxes.

Leaving the Blue Lot to the hardest of hard-core alums who will host the most ritualistic of tailgates.

Wolves

July 6th, 2010 at 3:42 PM ^

Anyone who thinks that parking structures will improve the parking situation at sporting events clearly has not spent much time at sporting events or has had to park in the structure.  Not only are they a nightmare to get out of after the game, but they provide a very inconvenient and poor tailgate atmosphere. 

I have been to every Big 10 stadium many times as well as a number of other stadiums.  Although Michigan has to provide parking for thousands of more fans, the experience and convenience rivals any other situation.  If you want the designation of a "Big House" with great tailgating options, by definition you will need to have parking which goes out for a mile or two. 

If you want to park close, suck it up and donate more money.  That is the way it works at Michgan and every other institution. 

blueblueblue

July 4th, 2010 at 12:44 PM ^

The automatic hatred toward the Freep is dumb. Its a prime example of the fundamental attribution error. 

These are the best pictures I have seen yet. 

The stadium is one of the sweetest places I have ever seen.

Michigan has again shown itself to be a class act. 

It makes me even more proud to be a fan of this program.

That is all. 

Section 1

July 4th, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^

But my hatred of the Free Press isn't automatic.  It has been earned, week after week, story after story, column after column.  The Free Press deserves our hatred, not becuase of our insecurities but because of what the paper has done.

I'll let our Athletic Department sum it all up.  In the NCAA Investigation Response, the University -- OUR university -- stated: "The University is satisfied that the initial media reports were greatly exaggerated if not flatly incorrect."

So it's up to you.  You can side with the Free Press, or with Michigan.  You might remember those "initial media reports."  The ones that led directly and proximately to an NCAA investigation; an investigation that substantially disproved the Free Press' inflamed reporting, but naturally led (inevitably) to a bunch of inconsequential nuisance problems that all big CFA football programs see.

I only wish that there were something stronger to say than, Fuck the Free Press.

Wolverine318

July 4th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^

Honest question to you, why don't you care? Publications by the FREEP are read by hundreds of thousands of individuals across this country, many of them recruits. For many individuals and recruits, the fiction published by the Freep is the only window into the University of Michigan. I am dumbfounded how anyone can support an organization as unethical as the FREEP. 

Wolverine318

July 4th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^

My hatred for the FREEP is automatic. Until they fire Snyder, Rosenberg, Sharp, and Anger, I will continue to boycott and spew nothing but blanket hatred for that rag. Heck their papers aren't even suitable to line that bottom of a dog cage. I have no clue how any intelligent Michigan supporter can side with that organization, especially after page after page of lies, rumors, and innuendo published by them. Anyone who supports that rag is not on the side of truth. 

david from wyoming

July 4th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^

I think both of us have valid points. Your point that the photos themselves aren't ground breaking and my point that average citizens can't have access to take the photos.

You don't like the freep and I appreciate that I got to see photos of the new stadium addition through the freep's website today.

What are we debating again?

Don

July 4th, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^

"Despite all his relationships with all those donors who have committed millions to Michigan athletics over the years, Parker has been unable to sell out the premium seating that is the cornerstone of Michigan Stadium’s $226-million renovation. Parker has sold 61 of 81 suites and 75% of the indoor and outdoor club seats, despite the state’s lousy economy and U-M’s back-to-back losing seasons."

The first sentence clearly implies that Parker's success in selling premium seating is falling short of reasonable expectations. The second sentence implies that Parker has done well in selling premium seating given the miserable state of the economy and the UM football program.

MGoShoe

July 4th, 2010 at 1:04 PM ^

...was something off about this, but in my haste to get through the piece (as if spending more time on the site would somehow make me even more dirty for clicking there), I didn't go back to figure it out. 

Great job picking out this bit of inanity.  One thing is clear -- while we'll continue our >100K attendance streak and likely take the attendance title again, we won't have a sell out this year.

 

2009 NCAA DIVISION I FBS ATTENDANCE TEAM LEADERS

Rank

School

Games

Attendance

Average

1.

Michigan

8

871,464

108,933

2.

Penn St.

8

856,066

107,008

3.

Ohio St.

7

736,830

105,261

4.

Texas

6

607,049

101,175

5.

Tennessee

8

793,760

99,220

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if we topped the 110K avg attendance mark this year.

energyblue1

July 4th, 2010 at 2:10 PM ^

The 75% sold was going to be sold regardless, that's just how it is, the real work is the last 25% and they always knew that.  It's a tough sell right now since most likely there are a number of alumni waiting to buy but waiting for Rich to either succeed or be replaced.  Wich ever happens first will be a flat out race for those suites and seats remaining.....

 

Problem is they are forgetting these come with agreements so once they are gone they are not likely to come open again for a long time, so get them while they are open.

maizenbluenc

July 4th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^

Actually Brandon was showing them their pressbox space choices ... "be nice or at least balanced, and you get these seats. Keep up the jihad and get those ones in the back obstructed by the pillar"

CarrIsMyHomeboy

July 4th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^

Haha. I'm sure this adjective was chosen coincidentally:

 

Simply being in a comfortable setting in the previously spartan Michigan Stadium may be the most jarring effect initially for most high-end patrons.

mmiicchhiiggaann

July 4th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^

Random Question, in the new club seats/suite seats I noticed cup holders, I know they can't sell alcohol at the concessions..but if you are in a suite do they have it?