Neyland Stadium Renovations

[Coug]

I agree with the OP, when they are asking for 1000s in donations for season tickets, on top of relieving state funds, why not increase the fan experience? The safety issues in both neyland and TBA are a big concern for me. The steps are a disaster waiting to happen. All need to have rails and get rid of the bleachers.

I can think of two times I actually stopped people from falling backwards down those stairs because their footing wasn't sure, they leaned too far back or they just lost their balance.

It has been much easier to watch the games sloshed the last 5 years than if I were sober. Helps dull the pain. Hell, UT should have given us free liquor as we came in if we wanted it the last few years.

Hopefully we're past that now.

 

[rocky top buzz]

I understand wanting to make things more convenient in the stadium to enhance the fans experience. However, the most fan friendly sporting event I've ever attended is The Masters, and they don't even allow cell phones on the grounds. I'd even make the argument that nobody having a cell phone actually makes the whole event better because people aren't constantly distracted by their phones and just kind of get to set the outside world aside for the day and focus on what they came to watch. A football game lasts about 4 hours, and it seems like people should be able to do without their phones for that long if need be.

I'm certainly not trying to make it sound like our lives overall would be better without cell phones, but at the same time it's not going to kill people if they have to do without for a few hours. In fact, they might find their experience at the game is better if they actually paid attention to the game they paid $70 to get into.

Comparison is a bit off. At the masters its not like their are a dozen other golf tournaments at the same time thay will impact your team. Its a once a year opportunity for some, once in a lifetime for many. And its not just a golf tournament, its one of 4 majors. Do you think if UT banned cell phones that would have a positive influence on attendance?

 

[northknoxvol]

Reduce or eliminate the mandatory contribution for season tickets. Maybe you keep it for sidelines, no need to do that on the ends.

 

[bleedorange0037]

Comparison is a bit off. At the masters its not like their are a dozen other golf tournaments at the same time thay will impact your team. Its a once a year opportunity for some, once in a lifetime for many. And its not just a golf tournament, its one of 4 majors. Do you think if UT banned cell phones that would have a positive influence on attendance?

I doubt it have a positive effect on attendance, but it might have a positive impact on the experience of those who attend, even if they might not think so at first. It was just some food for thought.

The comparison isn't as far off really. While there aren't other golf tournaments going on, the way things are laid out at Augusta, and with no video boards, its almost impossible to know whats going on around the rest of the course aside from watching the big leaderboards, which are so few in number that there isn't even one on every hole. So while you aren't trying to keep up with other events, it's kind of similar in that you aren't able to stay in constant awareness of the whole big picture, and are just watching what's going on on the 1-2 two holes you are have a good view of.

 

[blued125]

VolNation what would it take for you to buy a season ticket.

I have called and suggested most of services for game day

1st – Last year they said UT @ Neyland WiFi was increased in 2012 season < Good before terrible after game started, 2013 they have partnered with Verizon to increase the signal inside Neyland stadium. >

2nd - Similar to Nascar I would like to see UT create a game day app that would allow season ticket holders to log via email to your account to view the signal for all the televise replays and play by play as if you are at home. Of course #1 would actually have to work.

3rd – The south end has little to no view of the big screen, look to add video board on the opposite end.

4th – Walk ways are just a fire hazard away from being an issue, when you add that many people inside the stadium it just doesn’t work. This wont happen, you would need to take out the top 2 rows of seats in order to increase the walking space. "Reason", in order to go out with the walkways would be much more costly.

5th – Bathrooms and plumbing are just so embarrassing when seen leaking during a game. I have been told that this is on the board.

6th – Remove bleachers and replace with seats. Nope, a huge selling point is the number of people watching you play. Also, seats would cost around 2.7 M

7th - Parking, No space for any new parking. You would have to take a building down in order to build or, add a parking deck directly across from gate 21. This has political implications and was shot down 2 years ago.

What can you add VOL Nation to the list of what and needs:

Good Lord; I started this discussion to see what VOL Nation could add to the game day experience at Neyland, it’s simply pooling ideals together to see what everyone’s thoughts. Not intended to complain or that anyone with a thought is complaining about the current situations, only to say “IF” had a vote to say hmm that would be nice to see at the game. Also including what would make you become a season ticket holder, not stay at home, friend’s house ect.

So Vol Nation keep it real and give me your thoughts, and please don’t dog anyone input.

Go Vols

The company I work does a lot of the construction for UT. Another phase is coming if the funds can get acquired. Big renovation to the South end, (I think). I don't know if a new scoreboard is on the list. I agree, every issue you brought up should have some time spent looking into. I think if BUTCH F'ing Jones can win as good as sell. You will see people flood the stadium.

 

[Gcrop]

Cell coverage and the lines to enter the stadium are my only real complaints. The food and bathrooms seem to be fine after being redone on the north and west sides (which is where I typically sit...ahem, STAND...don't attack me).

Oh, and accepting CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS. It is ridiculous that is not an option these days.

 

[GAVol]

I understand wanting to make things more convenient in the stadium to enhance the fans experience. However, the most fan friendly sporting event I've ever attended is The Masters, and they don't even allow cell phones on the grounds. I'd even make the argument that nobody having a cell phone actually makes the whole event better because people aren't constantly distracted by their phones and just kind of get to set the outside world aside for the day and focus on what they came to watch. A football game lasts about 4 hours, and it seems like people should be able to do without their phones for that long if need be.

I'm certainly not trying to make it sound like our lives overall would be better without cell phones, but at the same time it's not going to kill people if they have to do without for a few hours. In fact, they might find their experience at the game is better if they actually paid attention to the game they paid $70 to get into.

I get what you're saying, but t's a golf tournament. You're talking apples and oranges . . . But, the PGA Tour has recently lifted its cell phone ban at the tournaments it runs.

 

[GAVol]

Cell coverage and the lines to enter the stadium are my only real complaints. The food and bathrooms seem to be fine after being redone on the north and west sides (which is where I typically sit...ahem, STAND...don't attack me).

Oh, and accepting CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS. It is ridiculous that is not an option these days.

I think everybody realizes that we're talking a lot of pie in the sky in this thread, but the stuff you're talking about seems like it would be very feasible to fix. The credit/debit card issue is crazy in this day and age. Nobody carries cash anymore.

 

[bleedorange0037]

I get what you're saying, but t's a golf tournament. You're talking apples and oranges . . . But, the PGA Tour has recently lifted its cell phone ban at the tournaments it runs.

I wasn't necessarily speaking just about UT football. My takeaway from The Masters cell phone restrictions has left me with the impression that all live events (sports, concerts, etc.) might ultimately be more enjoyable if people were simply asked to leave their cell phones in the car and just enjoy the moment of the event they are attending. While people might be resistant at first, they might also ultimately find it really is nice to just watch the game and cheer for their team while not feeling the need to make calls, and text/check the web constantly. Again, a football game only lasts for 3-4 hours. For 99% of the people, the outside world can probably be put on hold for that long.

A simply solution to the issue of wanting to keep up with other games could be easily remedied by coming up with some sort of out of town scoreboard like we see at a lot of baseball stadiums. If they constantly updated it, and flashed scoring updates on the boards, you could be in touch with the rest of the nation well enough. I personally am totally against the idea of showing other teams games at Neyland. If you so badly need to watch all the other games that are going on during the day, then your couch is probably best suited for your needs.

 

[GAVol]

The problem with that is the horse left the barn on smart phone technology about 5 years ago. They have to embrace it or more people will in fact stay home.

 

[GBO97]

The bathrooms at Neyland = look directly at the wall and pray everyone else is doing the same.

 

[bleedorange0037]

The problem with that is the horse left the barn on smart phone technology about 5 years ago. They have to embrace it or more people will in fact stay home.

Cell phone restrictions certainly haven't made Masters tickets any easier to get IMO. Part of it is probably that they make the whole experience so spectacular that you forget all about not having your cell phone for the day.

All this is a moot argument anyway, because I'm fully aware that neither UT nor any other sports team is going to ban cell phones in their stadiums. Like I said, it was just kind of food for thought that while some people think upgrading cell service is a must to help people enjoy and event, IMO the game might actually be more enjoyable if people just had to do without their phones and watch the actual game.

 

[Gcrop]

I think everybody realizes that we're talking a lot of pie in the sky in this thread, but the stuff you're talking about seems like it would be very feasible to fix. The credit/debit card issue is crazy in this day and age. Nobody carries cash anymore.

Yea, I can't expect a university to have NFL-like stadiums when you are dealing with an older traditional stadium so feasible options are all I can ask for.

A second jumbotron is iffy for me but admittedly, whether I sit in the north or west sections, I can always see it. My thoughts might be different if I was lower bowl south section.

If the south and east sections have not been updated (bathrooms/concession) like the north and west, I think that needs to be done soon. It's night and day from what it was.

I am pretty pumped to visit Autzen in a few weeks and see what endless money can get you in a college stadium.

Taking cards at the stadium and reducing the ridiculous lines to get into the stadium should be able to get done relatively easily I would think.

 

[GAVol]

Cell phone restrictions certainly haven't made Masters tickets any easier to get IMO. Part of it is probably that they make the whole experience so spectacular that you forget all about not having your cell phone for the day.

All this is a moot argument anyway, because I'm fully aware that neither UT nor any other sports team is going to ban cell phones in their stadiums. Like I said, it was just kind of food for thought that while some people think upgrading cell service is a must to help people enjoy and event, IMO the game might actually be more enjoyable if people just had to do without their phones and watch the actual game.

I don't disagree with a lot of what you're saying, but again, the Masters is a major golf championship. Just by the nature of the event and who runs it, it will be the last event to change much of anything.

The funny thing is, I find myself looking at my phone and listening to the radio less now than I did just a few years ago. I really try not to get engrossed in my phone while sitting next to somebody. It just feels rude to me to ignore somebody like that.

 

[JokermanVol]

At the Masters and concerts where they're banning phones they're concerned with protecting their investment. They don't ban them cause they are anti-technology or they think they are a distraction.

 

[Ericvol2096]

I understand wanting to make things more convenient in the stadium to enhance the fans experience. However, the most fan friendly sporting event I've ever attended is The Masters, and they don't even allow cell phones on the grounds. I'd even make the argument that nobody having a cell phone actually makes the whole event better because people aren't constantly distracted by their phones and just kind of get to set the outside world aside for the day and focus on what they came to watch. A football game lasts about 4 hours, and it seems like people should be able to do without their phones for that long if need be.

I'm certainly not trying to make it sound like our lives overall would be better without cell phones, but at the same time it's not going to kill people if they have to do without for a few hours. In fact, they might find their experience at the game is better if they actually paid attention to the game they paid $70 to get into.

I'm about as connected as someone in their late 20's can get. I have a Facebook that I generally keep up with so family can see pictures of my daughter ect, I love Twitter and following players, recruits (No homo) and reporters, have a presence on Linked in and obvioulsy spend time on this site and VQ.

BUT one place where I don't worry about any of that is while I am in Neyland Stadium and honestly before the game while I am tailgating (I do love watching the other games going on around the country during the tailgate). I only get back to campus 4 or 5 times a year (at best) and while I am there I almost go into this dream like state where I feel like the outside world disappears..I know it sounds weird but it is true. I meet up with all of my old fraternity brothers in the same tailgating spot every year, no need to be texting and organizing because everyone knows where to be.

Then as I go into the stadium I get entranced by all of the different parts of the atmosphere, the smell of Petros and bourbon, the sound of the bands and the drunk fans around me cussing at the away fans, and the sights of all the beautiful orange and that amazing field.

I don't think about any other games and don't really care about anything else except what is happening in that stadium.

All the people I need to interact with are sitting with me right in that section of Neyland stadium and right after the game is over I can turn back on my phone, connect with everyone at Cool Beans and get caught up on whatever action in other games and stories from my friends experience at the game that I missed.

Man I can't wait for the UGA game!:dance2::rock:

 

[JokermanVol]

Fans at games don't film much of anything besides bad running through the T vids because the quality cannot match TV and I'm not sure it ever will. CBS couldn't compete with patrons at the Masters filming up close from every angle and then posting it on YouTube.

 

[GAVol]

At the Masters and concerts where they're banning phones they're concerned with protecting their investment. They don't ban them cause they are anti-technology or they think they are a distraction.

You're right, but they are definitely a distraction at golf tournaments. Even at the events where they allow them in designated areas, it's inevitable that some idiot leaves his ringer on and makes somebody back off a shot. They do get antsy though when somebody starts taking pictures.

 

[bleedorange0037]

At the Masters and concerts where they're banning phones they're concerned with protecting their investment. They don't ban them cause they are anti-technology or they think they are a distraction.

Concerts, yes. Since cameras are also banned at The Masters, I'd wager that distraction is a factor as well.

 

[GAVol]

They don't play at Augusta National. You can't even get a pocket knife in there.

 

[bleedorange0037]

They don't play at Augusta National. You can't even get a pocket knife in there.

No joke. Far and away the most thorough search I've ever undergone to get into any sporting event. Emptying your pockets into the plastic bins and then going through the metal detectors is very reminiscent of airport security.

 

[bleedorange0037]

Fans at games don't film much of anything besides bad running through the T vids because the quality cannot match TV and I'm not sure it ever will. CBS couldn't compete with patrons at the Masters filming up close from every angle and then posting it on YouTube.

Honest question, because I've never even considered trying this, but is there some sort of method by which you can easily stream video from your phone live onto the web? If so, that would be the only threat to CBS's ability to compete. Otherwise, I don't see how it would hurt CBS if people posted videos from around the course after the fact.

 

[DGAVOL]

As far as seating structure and overall aesthetics of the stadium, I wouldn't change anything. I think there is something really cool about walking to my seats and feeling like I have walked back in time. It gives me the same feeling that I got going to wrigley and Fenway, something that can't be replicated.

That being said, I think the best thing they could do for the stadium's appearance would be to make a large green space across the street and allow tailgating there. Also, create a beautiful walkway for the volwalk. The immediate are to neyland leaves a lot to be desired.

As far as amenities, cell service needs to be better, bathrooms could be improved and, lowest priority, adding more food options.

 

[SaintLouisVol]

Even with the upgrade, the cell phone coverage is horrible. I have to walk to the north end zone and go way out on the ramps just to get it to have a bar or two................

The single most aggravating thing about Neyland other than losing every freaking game.................

Poor mobile coverage exists at every stadium in the country. It happens because the carriers aren't going to build an infrastructure that isn't needed the other 99 percent of time. I have the same issues at Cardinals games here in St. Louis. I deal with it at any event with very large gatherings of people.

When you have 40K-50K phones attempting to connect to towers that typically carry a tenth of that, you are going to have problems.

Go sit in Neyland Stadium at 8 p.m. on a Tuesday night. You'll notice your phone works perfectly fine.

I fail to see how this is UT's problem.

 

[Jeepkuntry]

Bathrooms definitely need to be upgraded. It would also be nice to have a designated smoking section. Put some butt buckets half way down a couple exit ramps away from most people. Heck that's where most people go to smoke anyways.