Publication Date: Friday, June 10, 2005
For Stanford Stadium, officials hope smaller is better
For Stanford Stadium, officials hope smaller is better
(June 10, 2005) $85 million project would shrink capacity to 50,026 seats
by Rick Eymer
Stanford University thinks the crowds will be bigger and better than ever for football games at a downsized, more intimate stadium.
Stanford unveiled plans for an $85 million project to renovate its 84-year-old football stadium on Tuesday.
The university's Board of Trustees approved the plan that would decrease the capacity of the stadium to 50,026 from its current 85,000, in addition to increased concession areas, and other amenities.
"We feel 50,000 is appropriate to the site and we're interested in creating a home field advantage with an exciting atmosphere," Stanford Athletic Director Ted Leland said. "We're also following a financial model that creating a ticket scarcity is a bigger plus than a ticket surplus. That should generate better revenue."
If the construction proposal is approved by the Board in October, construction would begin following the final football game of the 2005 season. Estimates for the project's completion range between nine months and 21 months. The final construction schedule should be complete by February.
"This probably tells people this is a new era, with a new outlook for Stanford football," Cardinal football coach Walt Harris said. "It should create an atmosphere of spirit and enthusiasm. We'll accept this stadium graciously."
By removing the track (the current Tartan track was installed in 1978) that circles the field and lowering the playing surface by seven feet, most seats will be at least 50 feet closer to the action, Leland said.
The track's removal also means Stanford would no longer be able to host large international events like the innovative United States-Russia two-day track meet in 1962 which drew 150,000 to the stadium.
Cobb Track and Angell Field, on the Stanford campus, has hosted U.S. outdoor national Track and Field Championships, which have drawn crowds up to 15,000 to an enlarged facility.
The Olympic Trials were held at Stanford in 1960, and the stadium was host to sellout crowds for preliminary Olympic soccer matches in 1984, the men's World Cup in 1994, and the women's World Cup in 1999.
Stanford also hosted the 1985 Super Bowl, and sold out for a 49ers regular season game against the New England Patriots in 1989.
The renovated stadium would be football only.
"That's something to think about," Leland said of possibly hosting other events. "But we are concerned with increased traffic, and with our neighbors. We want to make it a spectacular, intimate, small, cozy football field. We feel that's better for Stanford football and also for commencement."
The current stadium will be leveled and a new structure built in its place but with the same landscaping. The south end of the stadium, open since it was built in 1921, will be enclosed.
"The key objectives were public safety issues, ADA issues, creating a dynamic football experience, to reinforce Stanford's commitment to a winning football program, improve amenities, and to establish a revenue stream," Associate Athletic Director Debra Gore-Mann said. "The new stadium can also be used as a recruiting tool. Sight lines will be improved; there will be an all-new concession counter space; and we go from 240 restrooms to 960 restrooms. The outside remains similar."
An additional three tunnels will allow better access to the seating areas, and the concession concourse would feature views of the field.
Former Stanford football greats Jim Plunkett, Darrin Nelson and former coach Bill Walsh were among those in attendance at the formal announcement.
"We're excited to take this next step in Stanford football history," Leland said. "We've done a lot of work on this and we have a lot of work left to do. We have a $25 million funding gap we'd like to close before we begin construction."
Nelson, an associate athletic director at Stanford, explained the $60 million currently in hand came from the Daper Investment Fund started in the 1980s, the Louis W. Foster Fund, and from commitments from donors.
"Now we have to go out and find people (for the remaining $25 million)," Nelson said. "We don't want any debt obligations associated with the project. Our goal is to have it fully paid for."
Funds previously pledged for a renovation of the stadium -- pending a successful bid for the 2012 Olympics -- were not part of the current funds raised, said Anne Cribbs, CEO of the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee. Upward of $150 million reportedly had been pledged for the Olympic project, with the hopes of also attracting the 2011 World Track and Field Championships -- which is the biggest international meet every two years.
Stanford will not sell naming rights to the stadium, though the school is considering selling naming rights within the stadium.
"Everything inside the stadium will be new," Leland said. "We'll destroy all the seats and the press box before we build the new seats. We are also switching to artificial turf for environmental reasons and because we will have water table problems."
Five other schools in the Pac-10 already feature artificial turf, according to Leland.
"We are leaving the construction time and the first football game to be determined because we have some very ambitious people associated with the project," Leland said. "Some people think it will only take nine months, while others believe it will take an extra year. We hope to announce something this fall."
Assistant Sports Editor Rick Eymer can be e-mailed at reymer@paweekly.com.
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