What do you think of Stegeman Coliseum?
UPDATE: Here’s a link to the story on the changes coming to Stegeman.
I’m writing a story for Saturday’s paper on the $12 million makeover that Stegeman Coliseum will get before next basketball and gymnastics season -– wider, brighter concourses; soaring glass exterior walls; more restrooms and concessions stands; a modern look for a 47-year-old building.
So let me ask you a few questions if you don’t mind:
From what you’ve heard, what do you think of the planned changes?
What do you like, or not like, about Stegeman today?
Do you agree, or disagree, with the decision to spend $12 million on renovations rather than, say, $100 million on a new arena?
Or are you just concerned about the team on the floor?
Thanks for your input.
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166 comments Add your comment
kevin
February 19th, 2010
12:33 am
i would rather have seen a new arena and a real investment from the ground up….
JB
February 19th, 2010
12:34 am
It will be great and is a very smart decision by the athletic board.
BigDawg
February 19th, 2010
12:37 am
Let the basketball team earn it like the football team does! Of course, the gymanastics team has done all they can do, with constant sell-outs!!
VolsRule
February 19th, 2010
12:44 am
went to the TN – UGA b-ball game at Stegman.
NOTHING wrong with the floor and seating arrangement – and the students and fans really rallied UGA to a surprising victory – very loud and extremely good crowd – your inside was too much for us to handle that night.
Besides that – the UGA fans next to us talked up the huge investment UGA made recently with the training facility – apparently – it is first class all the way
Outside- it does look dated – no need to spend $100Million – use the money on an indoor football practice facility or future football stadium expansion.
By the way – campus was beautiful.
observor
February 19th, 2010
12:44 am
I’ve been to Stegeman numerous times and it really isn’t that bad of an arena to watch a game. The seats are all comfortable and the view is very good. I think it is a very fashionable and lazy thing for people to say how bad it is.
Also, I don’t think it makes any sense to consider building a new state-of-the-art arena until the UGA fans show that they are committed to supporting this team and start selling out most of the games. Conversely, the team (and admin as well) has to step it up and prove that they are committed to being a consistent factor in the league and the NCAA as a whole. There is no logic in building a brand new arena until it is demonstrated that this one just wont satisfy the demand.
Also, the structure of Stegeman is very sound and has a lot of room for growth. It makes much more sense to spend 10 – 20 million upgrading the Steg to be modern then spending a fortune on a new arena when there is no reason to believe that the fans will suddenly start coming out in mass to attend a game based just on a new arena.
The Dubz
February 19th, 2010
12:50 am
It’s not the bad. Not the greatest, but not bad. As noted a few days ago, operating revenue for the UGAA is up to about $85 mil, so the opportunity to fund a new coliseum is definitely there. I think the administration is first holding off to see how the Fox experiment pays off in a few years (so fat so good, I think), to determine what else needs to be done to make UGA a top-tier SEC basketball program. However, the renovations scheduled, save for the maybe the glass interiors, will do nothing to entice top recruits to come to UGA. If anything, the more spread out, relaxed coliseum will hinder the game atmosphere.
Otis Campbell
February 19th, 2010
12:51 am
I swear I saw a few of Tech’s football recruits on the Russian ice dancing team.
Otis Campbell
February 19th, 2010
1:04 am
Come to think of it, that American boy with the funeral wreath on his head looked like a Techie too. I believe he’s seen a few up close, if you know what I mean.
Da Roun Circle
February 19th, 2010
1:11 am
Wooden started in a little gym and he got a long ways deep into the finals which showed him facilities arn’t the key.
UGA Men’s B-Ball needs to get some consistent top performances before big bucks are spent on a big facility. Gymnastics don’t justify a $100 mill, no tv contracts. Women’s B-Ball can’t pull a tv audience.
Put the bucks into the football program. That’s the money-maker.
NotSoPettyPetulia
February 19th, 2010
1:13 am
Does this mean that women will finally get the number of restroom stalls that they need? Why do men’s restroom have plenty of urinals and toilets while the women are forced to wait lengthy periods of time with bladder pains? There should be more toilets for women than there are urinals and toilets for men given the more inconvenient plumbing and privacy issues women face. Women remain second class citizens, even at sporting events. The same issue is true at Sanford Stadium and all sports facilities around the country. We’re supposed to be modern, kinder, and gentler, but this is how we get treated. If this matter doesn’t get addressed, women should eschew sporting events as a continuation of male chauvinism and should definitely not attend any games. If it cost a lot more money to comply in this fashion, then so be it. If men (athletic directors and school presidents) and the very few women who hold these positions refuse to act, then the women of the world should unite and boycott sporting events all together!!!! Now….what’s going to be done about it??????
Trip
February 19th, 2010
1:17 am
Thanks for the compliments VolsRule.
Ned Striker
February 19th, 2010
1:21 am
Zip it, Petulia! now back to the kitchen & fix me a snack!
Womanizer
February 19th, 2010
1:38 am
NotSoPettyPetulia:
Let’s be completely honest here. Out of the people who attend UGA athletic events (or most athletic events in the country) the majority are men. So why not have more restroom facilities for men than women? Also, consider how much longer it takes a woman to do business compared to a man, even with the same exact number of restroom facilites it is going to take a minute. Tell your fellow ladies to hurry up, rather than throw out the sexism card.
Scott
February 19th, 2010
2:56 am
Stegman is a dump. They used to have agricultural shows there and, lets face it, its been downhill ever since.
BuLLdawg
February 19th, 2010
3:41 am
.
DECLINE IN UGA BULLDOGS’ FOOTBALL OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS
.
.
29-06 Florida vs SEC teams the entire last 4 years
23-11 Alabama vs SEC teams the entire last 4 years
21-12 LSU vs SEC teams the entire last 4 years
20-12 GA vs SEC teams the entire last 4 years
http://football.stassen.com/cgi-bin/records/conference.pl?start=2006&end=2009&team=Alabama&team=Arkansas&team=Auburn&team=Florida&team=Georgia&team=Kentucky&team=LouisianaState&team=Mississippi&team=MississippiState&team=SouthCarolina&team=Tennessee&team=Vanderbilt
4th best team in The SEC over the Last 4 Years 2006 2007 2008 2009.
These OTHER SEC teams who are “WORSE” than Coach Richt have WON the National Championship EVERY YEAR.
4TH Best team in our Own Conference over the LAST FOUR YEARS.
That is what I am concerned about, not about how Damon Evans can clean up a pig, put a ribbon on its tail, spray it with perfume, but it’s still just a pig.
TheNumber34
February 19th, 2010
6:23 am
The most impactful and meaningful change would be to lower the floor and bring the seating closer. This is what was done at Tech, and while I detest everything about Tech, the renovation of the ‘Big T’ was done well.
Stegeman could also use more lighting in the upper seating area and the ceiling.
Lastly, the lazy folks in Athens could get off their sofas and go support the team. I drive from Atlanta for EVERY home game, and on weekday games, this can be a two hour(one way) process.
Other than these things, I’m in favor of the changes as have been announced.
NorthStarsDave
February 19th, 2010
6:31 am
It’s better than Tech’s…
Big time?? Not
February 19th, 2010
6:40 am
Been going to Stegman since it was built. When we have winning teams, it is packed, exciting, and loud. Changes are good. Fox will have us and Stegman back rockin….
Bulldog59
February 19th, 2010
6:52 am
Have you seen what Tennessee has done with the renovations to Neyland Stadium? Have you been to or seen Thompson-Boling Arena at UT? This is the minimum UGA has to do to have our facilities appeal to recruits. I’d prefer a new arena, which would require a new location, but we need to continue to renovate and EXPAND Sanford Stadium. Winning football programs generate increased income that is shared by ALL sports!
1980 Dawg
February 19th, 2010
6:58 am
If you watch a UGA basketball game on TV, you see lots of empty seats in the front five rows. By an employee in the UGA ticket office, I was told those seats are empty because those season tickets were sold to Kentucky and Tennessee fans who don’t mind paying $225 per ticket to see their games. I also understand that there are more UGA season ticket holders from Kentucky and Tennessee than are actual UGA fans, which results in the first five rows being empty most of the time. If this is indeed true, I would like to see the UGA Athletic Department move the obvious non-Georgia season ticket holders to the rafters, and move the students down to the first five or six rows. This would make a much better impression to a TV audience (more so than showing so many empty front row seats), make Stegeman a more fun place to play and watch basketball, and also attract better recruits. All of the aforementioned would ultimately result in what UGA’s Athletic Department seems to value more than anything else, the almighty dollar!
AltamahaDawg
February 19th, 2010
7:11 am
Thomson-Boling is a municipal arena, also used and supported other events in a city about 4 times the size of Athens.
And you know, how nice is it really? Or the O’ center? Or the majority of college arenas across the nation?
Plus what exactly is it, specifically, physical, functionally, that people think everybody else seems to have that Stegeman doesnt? I agree that its just become fashionable and lazy to complain about Stegeman.
Buckhead Bulldog
February 19th, 2010
7:11 am
VolsRule….Thanks for the classy comments!
Stegeman….use some of the money to get the cow stentch outta there, please. : )
Go Dogs Sic’ ‘em
James
February 19th, 2010
7:19 am
The place needs to be blown up. It’s
old. Build a new arena in the same place.
Play games at the Gwinnett Center for a year.
So. Carolina built their new place in 18
months. It’s one of the nicest in the country.
Georgia will never be taken as a serious
Basketball School until we do. Recruits know
this and will continue to go out of state or
over to North Ave. Trade School.
Will
February 19th, 2010
7:28 am
I am old enough to have watched the Bulldogs play in Woodruff Hall, a very small ballyard with balconies hanging over the lower seating area. I also attended the second game ever played in Stegman, a win over a good Vandy team with All-American Clyde Lee. I always go to games against UT, UF, UK, tech, Vandy and any nonconference game of import (e.g., St. Louis this year and Purdue, Texas, UNC, Missouri and Wisconsin in years past).
Stegman was greatly improved when the stage was removed and additionl seats added but, if UGA is to ever move forward as an annually competitive SEC program, a new ballyard will be needed.
New, not bigger – sort of like what Auburn is doing with their splendid new gym that will open next year. A more intimate setting with all the bells and whistles that add to the entertainment value of attending events there.
Until then, UGA needs to pep up the pre-game and half-time entertainment and use the ole noggin to get more people in the stands. For example, why not have promotions like Band Day, Middle School Basketball Day and Straight A Grades Day for games that are not likely to draw big crowds.
F-105 Thunderchief
February 19th, 2010
7:33 am
Upgrading the current facility is the smart thing to do. It needs an update, but is a fine facility.
Sorry, 1980 Dawg...
February 19th, 2010
7:36 am
…but what the “UGA ticket office” told your friend is a crock. It costs much more than the $225 price per seat for a season ticket to get those seats. You have to make contributions to the Bulldog Basketball Fund in order to be eligible to even buy those season tickets. And, I believe the minimum contribution is $100 – $250 per seat. Hence, if those UT and KY fans have been contributing for a long time, it will cost them at least $325, and it is really much more than that.
I am in the top 10 percent of the Bulldog Basketball Fund contributors, and though I give much more than the minimum amount to the fund I have not been able to move down from my last row of the lower section despite my continued contributions and level of contribution.
So, quit pandering to rumors.
Regarding the Steg, the still need to move the court to the CENTER of the building – this will allow for more seating and allow the students to be on both ends of the floor, thus allowing the paying public a chance to have those sideline seats the students now get. That would be a win for all involved. The rest of the renovations will be sufficient as the building will look brand new once they get the glass siding in place.
Dawgman
February 19th, 2010
7:51 am
Here we are one of the most profitable athletic programs in the country and we do a makeover on the basketball arena. USC makes less than we do and they have a beautiful 18K coliseum that fills up for a lot of SEC games (ask KY) and hosts a lot of other entertainment events. So does Stegeman fill that competitive void? No because UGA could care less about basketball. If Fox does well, he’ll leave.
sj
February 19th, 2010
7:52 am
I was there from 1966 -1970 and I went to several events. If I recall, it was only full when Ray Charles came to perform and Pete Maravich came to play. Pete’s Dad was the coach and most of the LSU team was white so they all looked like Pete, especially since they warmed up in their warm-up jerseys so you couldn’t see their number and they all had the same long moppy haircut. You were forced to look at them all and try to guess which one was Maravich. Great strategy by his Dad. Ray Charles gave a wonderful concert that exploded when he sang ‘Georgia’……those were the years…sigh….anyway, why build something too expensive unless you expect to routinely fill it?
Topp Dogg
February 19th, 2010
8:00 am
ITS A DUMP ANY QUESTIONS, FOOTBALL MAKES UGA NOT BASKETBALL THANK GOD.
UGA98
February 19th, 2010
8:01 am
I graduated in the building. Tear. Knock it down.
SuperB
February 19th, 2010
8:01 am
As both Duke and N. C. State have proven, a new building is not that important. The Blue Devils play
in the smallish, but renovated Cameron. State had the storied Reynolds Coliseum, but built the RBS Center (the best arena in CBB.) They haven’t won there. So Georgia should remodel Stegeman and stay put. A new arena will not increase winning, Stegeman is in the middle of campus and a unique building.
GW
February 19th, 2010
8:20 am
Sure a new facility would be nice but improving Stegeman is good enough. Build a winning program and sellout Stegeman for 5-6 years straight and then talk about a new place. I don’t think recruits care about wide concourses and fancy concessions. The practice facility is brand new.
kydawg
February 19th, 2010
8:20 am
How many does Stegeman hold? Maybe get a new arena when sell-outs happen every game. Or is that the case now? I’ve only been to Stegeman once and that was two years ago…there were maybe 2000 at the game. I’m glad to see excitement and attendance on the rise!
Bob Sacamano
February 19th, 2010
8:30 am
Just pick and roll.
virginia dog
February 19th, 2010
8:31 am
My father would say that the Steg is a better building than the teams we have put in it. i would say bring the seats down to the floor and put the students on the floor.
duke and Ga tech play in fire traps and they seem to prosper. so the steg will do until things change. as far a the gym dogs. my 7 year old makes more money selling girl scout cookies than they have in the last 20 years.
Call It Like It Is
February 19th, 2010
8:32 am
It’s a DUMP!
Enough Said!
GA Packer
February 19th, 2010
8:32 am
SuperB is correct. As NCSU found out (I am an alum) on campus basketball is the best. Lots is lost when it moves off campus no matter how nice the arena is. I recently went to games at both Stegman and Alexander. UGA and Tech have right with the games remaining on campus. I enjoyed both games and the atmosphere around them. So guys, keep the on campus facilities and invest enough in them to keep them viable. This is a good thing that both leadership universities have in common.
Gainesville Dawg
February 19th, 2010
8:34 am
Is the renovation going to include a rail between each section in the lower level? There is only one, next to the band. So many people need this. I was told by one of the ushers that the aisle must meet fire code, so they cannot add rails. This usher said they have even voiced their concerns with this. Maybe the renovation will address this.
Go, Dawgs!!! Go, Mark Fox!!!
SickandTired
February 19th, 2010
8:39 am
Here’s the thing. All the renovations in the world will do nothing but as the previous poster noted “put lipstick on a pig.” Georgia doesn’t want to commit to having a great basketball program. There are tons of talented players in the high school programs in this state. Yet Georgia does not want it to appear to be spending money of significance on anything but football. Here take the new facade to make it look better and shut up basketball people. We need some more seats in Sanford Stadium for a football program that hasn’t really done anything of significance in the last sixty years except for one shining moment in 1980. We need more seats to put more people in the stands to witness mediocrity by a coach and program that squanders investment year after year. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I can still sniff that cow manure from visiting there in the 60’s.
Ferndolin
February 19th, 2010
8:48 am
I think it could use an upgrade. It was built when I was in high school and actually played on it in the 60s when it also served as the AG shows. I think the glass exterior with enlarged concourses will be a great improvement.
Band Kid's Perspective
February 19th, 2010
8:50 am
I personally like Stegeman, it’s always fun to play there. I am however excited about the renovations and seeing what kinds of crowds we can bring into the updated stadium. As long as they keep those comfortable seats!
And thanks for the legitimate comment VolsRule, I’m often taken aback by rival fans comments. Come to think of it, there are some gems from our own court too. At any rate, thanks for being classy.
Once a Dawg, Always a Dawg,
How sweet it is!!!
CorchFox
February 19th, 2010
8:52 am
I think The Steg is a pile of dung. They need to tear that place down and start over. It will still look like crap because the building is so ugly. At least they are trying to do something to make that eyesore look better though. Still say we need a new arena.
athdog
February 19th, 2010
8:54 am
The age of the Steg is what makes it great. The old, dated design with the rounded roof causes the sound to reflect right back onto the floor when the place is rockin. Coach Fox is, gradually, building the place back to a noise/interest level we haven’t seen since before Harrick went bad. Give him a couple of recruits and the ‘Fox Den’ will fill up…we’ve just got to make sure we keep the best thing to hit Ga basketball since Tubby.
Paul Finebaum
February 19th, 2010
8:57 am
I have been to all SEC basketball arenas and Stegman is a total hole-in-the-road. While you cannot be anywhere as great as Alabama a new arena would be an upgrade also change those road uniforms. They are an embarassment to the SEC.
Ferndolin
February 19th, 2010
8:58 am
James –
I dissagree that the Stegeman Colliseum impacts recruitment. The basketball program is what draws good athletes (see Camden Indoor), and Mark Fox is on the road to the promised land.
AltamahaDawg
February 19th, 2010
9:05 am
Again, stop comparing municipal arenas that are built in city multiple times larger than Athens to accomodate various events.
Apples and Oranges. UGA is simply NOT going to be able to build a huge expensive municipal auditorium and get help paying for it with Monster trucks and Jimmy Buffet concerts that compete with the Atlanta venues.
In three more years
February 19th, 2010
9:05 am
Let’s give Coach Fox about three more years and hopefully by then, he will have a very solid basketball PROGRAM. If that happens, he AND a new arena could be sort of like a package deal to address UGA BB into the long term future.
Lock him up to a world class deal in 2013 and also make the $$$ announcement for year 2014 or 15 to OPEN the new arena. THAT would be the way to go. It would take two years to construct? Ask some jackets some where how long to build it.
If Fox can consistently go 22-8 and at least go to the March Madness twice in yeards 2012 and 13, then we ought to make this move. Even if UGA does not win the SEC ………..but we become very respectable, then we really should make this deal to keep him and quality BB around for many years at UGA.
The alums would step in and committ.
collegeballfan
February 19th, 2010
9:08 am
Mr. Tucker with all due respect, how would UGA fans have a clue about Stegeman? None of them have ever been in the place. Well, OK, maybe 7% of the UGA fans have been in Stegeman.
AltamahaDawg
February 19th, 2010
9:10 am
sickandtired, can you settle on if you are going to pretend to be an inside Dawg fan, or if you are going to be an outside rival lecturing us? This back and forth is hard to keep track of.
WonderDawg
February 19th, 2010
9:10 am
BuLLdawg, do you ever have a good day? Do you ever feel …optimistic? Jeez, you are a sourpuss.
Michael Scharff
February 19th, 2010
9:17 am
Volsrule, thanks for the kind words.
I think that the playing area is nice. We have all the modern amenities with tv screens and scoreboards. I’m not real fond of the seating, as I’m 6′3″, and there is very little leg room for tall persons such as myself. I do not like the concourses, the concession stands, or the restrooms. I am hoping for many changes for the better in the upgrade.
CatsFly
February 19th, 2010
9:21 am
I don’t understand. UGa fans are always touting “size”, and point to “high school” FB stadiums in the ACC. Unless BB doesn’t matter at UGa, in order to maintain consistency on this “size” issue, UGa needs to build it big, or, they will continue to play in a “high school” gym.
robodawg
February 19th, 2010
9:23 am
Stegeman ain’t so bad. It’s visual appearance at the end of south campus is iconic. I like the modernizations they’re planning — the larger concourses and roofline-to-ground glass exterior will add a lot. When there’s excitement around the team, the place rocks.
Talk of a new arena is premature until the program’s at a point that we can fill it in both the good years (which we need more consistently) and the struggling years (which every program in the nation not named Duke and coached by Coach K is going to encounter). The Tubby years were exciting and we could have filled a larger facility, but then Tubby left and look what happened. It was a temporary highpoint, not an enduring state of the program.
UglyOld Dog
February 19th, 2010
9:27 am
It’s a dump…..better to figure out how to pay for a new arena not a upgrade to the Barn…Build It And They Will Come!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cmill
February 19th, 2010
9:30 am
seating needs to be adjusted, seats on the enclosed end of the horseshoe are to far away from the court.
Cmill
February 19th, 2010
9:30 am
*too far away
PMC
February 19th, 2010
9:31 am
It makes sense to renovate in the short term. Honestly as good as they are in sports like Gymnastics they should be putting money into making it perfect for those types of events too. This is a much needed renovation years too late really but It should help make it a more viable arena. It is in a terrific spot on campus. I think this is a good idea even if it is lipstick on a pig.
coachx
February 19th, 2010
9:33 am
1980……………Those front 5 rows do not belong to UT and UK fans. Those are tickets for the coaches family, big time boosters, the AD / Damon Evans and family, Vince Dooley and family, etc. They simply don’t show up for many games to fill those seats.
3-17 HAHAHAHA!
February 19th, 2010
9:33 am
the coliseum is crap, just like the basketball program. they deserve each other!
Mark Fox
February 19th, 2010
9:34 am
You won’t need it because I’ll be haulin ice outta here the first time a real BB program dials my number.
Otis my man
February 19th, 2010
9:35 am
are you a fluffer for those russian skaters???
coachx
February 19th, 2010
9:35 am
PMC,
You are correct.
The enclosed end of the arena has awful seats that are way too far from the court. That side could be demolished and brought closer into the court while at the same time widening the concourse. The seats over there are awful.
AltamahaDawg
February 19th, 2010
9:35 am
This next renovation is going to put the “no money of significance” at over 50 Million spaning the past few years.
NC5
February 19th, 2010
9:38 am
Stegeman is a beautiful building with historic significance, historically. And it’s a great place to watch basketball. It’s a shame that it’s become fashionable to knock it. While some might havelegitimate criticisms, the majority of complainers are just whining because someone else told thm to. I think people are going to be stunned by how much difference the renovations will make. I for one would hate to see Stegeman get demolished only to be replaced by something that fits with the boring, unimaginative brick monster that suits the current “vision” of our campus planners. We should be proud of the architectural diversity of our campus and embrace the past and future opportunities to build statements of their times. And that definitely includes those soaring concrete arches (which aren’t so scary until you get near the top and have to climb around the railing).
Big time basketball? Definitely not!
February 19th, 2010
9:43 am
if Fox proves to be any good, he’ll be gone in 2 years before the cow palace is renovated anyway
McDawg
February 19th, 2010
9:44 am
not a bad place to watch a basketball game but i always thought it was too dark particularly if you were watching on TV-have not been there in awhile
Jeff
February 19th, 2010
9:46 am
If you’ve seen the pictures of what it will look like it will completely change the look which is why I think it gets such a bad rap. The inside seats (well I haven’t sat in the horseshoe section since I was in school) are perfectly fine. The roof itself is unique and personally with the modern glass facade it will be slick. After the renovation it will have gone from awkward and dated to retro cool.
To me just another smart decision by Damon Evans. Please no sterile, character-less new facility especially when we don’t need the seats/capacity just an upgrade/facelift especially to the dated concourses. The roof is the best part and would be a shame to lose but I suppose many Atlantans don’t care too much for history — bulldoze it like BellSouth almost did to the Fox for a parking lot!
Remarkable
February 19th, 2010
9:50 am
Burn it down and start over!
GA DAWG
February 19th, 2010
9:51 am
Apply the money to the football program.
Russ
February 19th, 2010
9:52 am
Burn it to the ground. Burn Mother Burn
SEC FAN
February 19th, 2010
9:56 am
Its the smallest, dinkiest stadium in the sec. What a joke just like UGA basketball. This high school stadium is befitting UGA basketball.
dawgrific
February 19th, 2010
10:01 am
I agree with the renovation, especially right now. I would agree that improved lighting would help a great deal, as it always has seemed SO dark in there. I am just not a big fan of a demolition unless it is absolutely necessary. Now, if we think it would make a BIG difference in recruiting, then perhaps a new buliding is the better route. Duke’s famous facility is supposedly “dumpish” but the fan base and up-close seating give it the personality to make up for any lack of “newness.”
dawgrific
February 19th, 2010
10:02 am
Nice intelligent commentary SEC FAN-Go back to your gator articles db!
Big Al
February 19th, 2010
10:04 am
Renovation sounds fine. Why don’t we put up some hedges around it?
JD
February 19th, 2010
10:06 am
I would like a VIP area that plays dope House music
Sanford Drive
February 19th, 2010
10:07 am
It’s so ugly on the outside that it leads you to believe it’s equally as crappy on the inside, which isn’t the case.
jeffrey d
February 19th, 2010
10:07 am
I’ve always loved Stegeman – I’ve been to many basketball games and I graduated there. I think it’s a nice facility, and this renovation will make it even better. And whether it was intentional or not, it also sends the message that UGA Basketball is on a new frontier.
Big Al – I LOVE that hedges idea
Nuscrypt
February 19th, 2010
10:09 am
I think the renovations will help recruit players and fans over the next few years while Coach Fox builds a consistent winner (which he will do). The reason we will need to commit to building a new arena is to keep another team from stealing him away like Kentucky did with Tubby. I say build an arena downtown that can be used for other events like concerts or to maybe bring in a minor league hockey/basketball team. It wouldn’t even have to be municipal arena. The athletic department can easily raise the money to build it and then earn the extra revenue from renting it out for other events. Then you can either keep the Stegosaurus around for other non-revenue sports and student use or demolish it and build the football indoor practice facility on that site.
Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash
February 19th, 2010
10:10 am
If theyre gonna do a reno, why not on the interior? The place is horrid inside and is no help in getting recruits.
IM going to powerbomb somebody over this decision.
94dawg
February 19th, 2010
10:13 am
Blow it up!
xl.dawg
February 19th, 2010
10:13 am
Renovations will be great. In this day and age 12 million is better spent than 100 million. Winning cures all ills. Coach Fox is already turning the program around. A few more Georgia players on the team and just like football keep the best in the State and the Championships will come.
Sluggo
February 19th, 2010
10:14 am
Spending millions of dollars on new arenas for colleges is a complete waste of money. Stegeman actually has some vintage ’70’s character. It’s not just a bunch of new brick and mortar. Keep it.
jarvis
February 19th, 2010
10:15 am
I can remember being a Sophmore and walking up the exterior facade of The Steg up onto the roof.
Good times.
robby
February 19th, 2010
10:18 am
let the team earn a new facility…the football dogs are ALL-TIME TOP 15…they have earned the best in facilities through the years…
besides i like the steg…the renovations make sense and will improve fan experience…
gosh spring is so nice in athens…tennis, baseball, gym meets, lots of beer, coeds, and flowers…masters golf down the road…ugh…
if we somehow added perennial ncaa tourney madness to that i might go back for another degree!
go dawgs! and lets get cmr a BCS thing…then let him coach and teach till hes tired of it…im so ready start really punching fla in the face again…
quaildawg
February 19th, 2010
10:20 am
Fiscally resposible to renovate. Interior (speaking of floor area, seats,lighting, etc) work has made a vast improvement. I think the plans will enhance the arena and would rival any “new” arena plans that might be proposed. The only drawback I see with Stegman is parking, even with the two decks nearby.
gym dawg
February 19th, 2010
10:21 am
A 70 year old woman with a facelift is still a 70 year old woman. A new arena will not be built until the men’s team wins, gains highly sought out recruits, increases attendance, and gets financial deals. It doesn’t matter what the women do cause they do bring in the revenue.
gym dawg
February 19th, 2010
10:24 am
Sorry, Georgia women DO NOT bring in enough revenue.
GT
February 19th, 2010
10:24 am
I think your real problem is middle of the week travel to Athens. A bulk of Georgia’s support is not from Athens or anywhere close. Works for football because the Dawg nation have made this their fall second home, leaving on Friday and camping out in the parking lots. Basketball just doesn’t work that way, you got to like the sport for starts, you really can’t get drunk and pile trash in the camping areas and all the other body functions that they love to do up there, I mean what’s the point. The sad thing is this state has great basketball and a lot of players have to go out of state to find a serious place to play, Tech can only take so many.
Why do some of you...
February 19th, 2010
10:37 am
…keep saying to put more money in the FB program. They already get everything they need, and more, just like UF, UT, AL, etc, but look where that has gotten them – middle of the pack in the SEC. Financially speaking, that is not a good investment outcome, so additional new funds are not warranted!
jakelynn
February 19th, 2010
10:37 am
i would like to see a new arena!
DirtyDawg
February 19th, 2010
10:41 am
I’m with those that feel that the Georgia Coliseum – more recently known as ‘Stegeman’ Coliseum – should be preserved. The renovations, from what I gather, will address many of the more recent complaints – lack of adequate concourse, concession and restroom areas…plus it will update the exterior. Sure, when it was first built it was a multi-event facility with a stage at one end and corrals outside for horse shows and the like…and it worked very well. As for being a barn, me-thinks you’re confusing it with the old Woodruff Hall – now that was a barn – where games were known to have been called, or at least delayed because of rain.
And while we’re at it, why all the dumpin’ on Stegeman? What about that round thing that Tech plays in? Why’s nobody all up in arms about that one? Stegeman’s newer (’64 vs. ‘56)…Stegeman seats more (10K plus vs. 9K plus)…Stegeman has some architectural character, Alexander looks just like one of those flying-saucer-shaped strip clubs that were popular back then – at least in Tampa. Tech did some renovations a decade or so ago – big deal, they dug out the basement, added some seats and slapped on some more ‘yaller’ paint…why they didn’t paint that metal roof yaller, I dont’ know. So answer me that please…why not tear down that place – I mean, couldn’t all those architects come up with something original? Of course, they’d have no reason to continue to use the ‘nickname’ they have for it – doubt if it’d still be confused with a ‘big tit’.
So, fix Stegeman…win games…recruit more top-ranked players…pack the stands…win more games…but keep it and make it a tough place for visitors to come to.
Mark Richt's Suntan...
February 19th, 2010
10:49 am
UGA has a basketball arena? Since when?
Mark Richt's haircut...
February 19th, 2010
10:51 am
Fans/Schools with no history or tradition tear down buildings/ stadiums/ arenas and build new ones.. Quit begging for a new arena and build some tradition at the one you have.
Can You Dig It
February 19th, 2010
10:51 am
I can’t believe that anybody thinks this is a hot topic for discussion. First of all I’ve never seeing a building win a basketball game. Usually if the team on the floor is doing their job every night and winning more often than losing against good competition the attendance usually takes care of itself. Georgia has done a poor job over the years in attracting a top coach and keeping him around. We should have given Tubby everything he wanted to keep him at Georgia…but as always we caved in and let Kentucky buy him away and look where we are now. Michael Adams should be fired for pushing for the hiring of Jim Harrick. Harrick was a great floor coach but a shady guy with too much (you play with fish you end up smelling like fish)…..Everybody but Adams saw it coming and he’s supposed to be leading UGA? Georgia ought to be ashamed that they have not to this point been successful in basketball, if Florida can we certainly can.I think Mark Fox was a good hire. Its clear that he can coach (he’s three times better than Tech’s coach) what he needs is players. He needs to get good players from any where he can. Right now the good players shy away from Georgia because there’s not enough “bling” in the program for them. When you watch the current team play one thing is very clear…they are well coached but have absolutely no consistant guard play. Who on that team can consistantly shoot and make it from the outside? Who can create shots? You can’t win in the SEC or anywhere without good guard play.Georgias got a great front line but they are not going to be able to win games for you everynight and opposing coaches know it. ……Has anyone been to Duke to watch a game. Their basketball building looks like it was built 50 years ago…but they fill it up every night because their teams are well coached and ALWAYS have good guard play. They use their old building as a sixth man…they make it an intimadating place to play for their competition….I say fix up Stegeman..go get some good players..win games consistantly…keep Fox around for as long as possible and the attendance will take care of itself and eventually so will building a new building.Can You Dig It!
BobDog
February 19th, 2010
10:56 am
The Steg is plenty big. Georgia Tech has an old facility that was nicely renovated- and they recruit quite well. I have seen the plans. We have a structure that is structurally sound and with this work, will be really nice and up to date.
Take a look at the plans on pp. 20 and 21 at this site:
http://www.onlineathens.com/multimedia/pdfs/092508other_facilities.pdf
DirtyDawg
February 19th, 2010
11:14 am
Thanks for the link bobdog, I hadn’t really seen it all. Looks like it would convert Stegeman into something truly special. Can’t imagine why anyone would have a problem with it.
By the way, ‘can you dig it’, Cameron Indoor Stadium doesn’t look like it was built 50 years ago…it should be so lucky. Because it was built in 1940. Oh yes, it also only seats a little over 9,000 – more than a thousand less than Stegeman. Of course they fill the place up – a lot – we have a problem with that. It’s a whole lot easier to watch the games on TV than to drive over and back – particularly during the week.
mgdawg
February 19th, 2010
11:16 am
I think it is a good idea to spend a little right now. Although UGA athletics has money, we are in a recession right now, there is no need to go out and just spend because you have it.
NotSoPettyPetulia:
I know in sanford there are the same number of male and female restrooms and they are the same size. The reason there are more urinals then stalls in the women’s restrooms is urinals take up less room. Use a little bit of your brain before you type nonsense.
ryan
February 19th, 2010
11:16 am
People it has nothing to with the building you have to win to get good recruits i mean look at GT arena it not that great. Also Mem.Tenn arena they don’t have the best arena but the still the best recruits . Yes i admit that UGA needs a new arena but we need one right now.
Tom
February 19th, 2010
11:20 am
No need to spend a bunch of money. UGA has always been more of a football school. Stegeman is old, but the basketball team has never been that great anyway. A facelift is much needed, then take it from there.
ATHDawg
February 19th, 2010
11:28 am
Well put 1980 Dawg!…the student section is hardly noticed when you’re watching a game on tv. I’m a student at UGA and the idea of having the student section extended to the first 5 or 6 rows behind the bench (sort of like Duke)would be really awesome if it ever happens!!!
PreyDawg
February 19th, 2010
11:33 am
I will venture a guess that I am the only person no this blog who has milked a cow on the floor of Stegman Coliseum!!!
And I am darned proud of it too. I also watched Alec Kessler do a darn fine job against Shaq when we beat LSU and won the SEC. I ran out on the floor and watched that 3 point shooting kid whose name escapes me cut down the net.
Stegman is fine. Sure. You want to decorate it up a bit add some new windows, that is fine by me too. I am glad they didnt level it and start over because there is nothing seriously wrong with the place.
Signed,
Biological Science Major/Chemistry Major through the UGA College of Agriculture and proud of it. You may thank us when you are eating your lunch today att you snobs who run down Agriculture.
PreyDawg
February 19th, 2010
11:33 am
That’s all you snobs…not att you snobs…Give me a break. I am typing in a hurry before the boss catches me.
dap01
February 19th, 2010
11:44 am
A couple of trips to the NCAA tourney would recruit much better that an new arena.
Keep up the good work Fox and we can play in a barn and people will still come.
Dawgbooger
February 19th, 2010
11:47 am
I’m proud of the Stegesaurus. I graduated in it. That being said, I love that we are looking at a $12M project vs. $100M. This is a really bad time in economic history to spend $100M on what is considered a luxury activity for fans. I think it is very responsible of Damon Evans to improve what we already have. The arena itself is just fine. Its the perimeter and the outside that leave a lot to be desired….and that is where the renovations will center. Take some of the savings and put it into a future indoor football practice facility.
Rabun Dawg
February 19th, 2010
11:52 am
About a month ago I ordered tickets to the game Sat.vs Alabama. The only thing available was upper deck, not great location, but I took 4. I have wondered why a lot of down low seats are empty when I see the games on tv,I guess season ticket holders and athletic dept. personnel who don’t bother to show up. Heck, we have a 90 mile drive each way, and if those locals do not show up, shame on them! Renovating Stegman to make it more “fan friendly” makes more since at present since the locals don’t show up, so why spend 100 mil for a new arena. If Coach Fox can get more Ga. talent to UGA and build a consistent winner, then talk about a new arena. However, if he does build a winner, he will probably “bolt” to some place that really cares about BB.
tw3a
February 19th, 2010
12:09 pm
I would actually like to see a artist drawing what it is suppose to look like befiore making a decision. I actually think ti will turn out very nice.
Rabun Dawg
February 19th, 2010
12:10 pm
Should have been “makes more sense”. Sorry for the goof! Also, whoever said it earlier, the building does not make a winner, guys on the floor control that! However, places like Cameron Indoor do help, but their talent level usually overshadows those “Crazies”.
Ron Roberts
February 19th, 2010
12:16 pm
Auburn is building a NEWER, but SMALLER basketball arena; smaller, capacity-wise than what Georgia currently HAS. The training facility built adjacent to Stegeman is what will bring recruits in, as well as the interior of Stegeman. Those of you who clamor for a new arena should drive to the other SEC campuses and see the xteriors (and for many, the interiors) of the arenas we’re competing against. They’re nothing to write home about.
Stegeman seats PLENTY – and with the cosmetic changes planned, will be a FANTASTIC venue for fans. Let Mark Fox continue working his magic here, and the BEST improvement to the building will be a fully-engaged fan base and student section. The building’s not the problem; but it SURE will be a jewel when the improvements are done.
DawgSinceBirth
February 19th, 2010
12:20 pm
Most people that complain about Stegman have NEVER been to a game there, don’t really follow Georgia Basketball, or are just excuse making for lack of consistent success….BOTTOM LINE: When we are WINNING, the place is VERY RAUCOUS (GREAT ATMOSPHERE)….I’m not only a season ticket holder in football (and go to all road games)…I am a season ticket holder in basketball and baseball too! If ANY FACILTY needs improvement, it’s FOLEY FIELD…and if you don’t believe that, go to a game at South Carolina…I described it last year as “mini-Omaha,” but BETTER!!!!
Go Dawgs!
crusher dawg
February 19th, 2010
12:31 pm
It makes good sense to spend $12 million instead of $100 million. Worry about building the team first. Then let’s worry about building new a new facility.
shannon1776
February 19th, 2010
1:08 pm
Great decision. Those who whine about wanting a new place may want to fork over some moeny first
UGAFan
February 19th, 2010
1:19 pm
Nothing wrong with the Stegeman and new facelift. I would like to see the seating arrangement changed inside the Stegasaurus. Get the students closer to the floor so that it will give us more of a homecourt advantage. Too many empty seats on the bottom level for season ticket holders who are too lazy to come to all of the games. Maybe let the student section be on both ends of the court behind the baskets. In the 2nd half, the visiting team shoots on the end opposite from the student section. We need more students on that end so that baskets will be harder to make for the opposing team.
Mega Dawg
February 19th, 2010
1:22 pm
If UGA wants to be a serious player in basketball, they need to tear down that old dump and build a state of the art facility (15,000-20,000 seats) with all the bells and whistles, and quit playing in that rodeo barn. GA has plenty of cash to fund a new arena and can just raise tuition to pay the balance needed! The UGA big shots need to get it done ASAP.
KC DAWG
February 19th, 2010
1:46 pm
Stegman is awesome. These upgrades are needed. But whoever wants it torn down obviously has not been to a game. Don’t you remember Walsh from FL getting jacked in the face after we kicked their a$$. US DAWGS get excited in there for good SEC games, and opponents don’t like it when we actually attend the games and make noise. More fan support and a facelift will give Fox the tools needed to bring in the best talent in Georgia, and whoever talked about the practice facility is spot on, that place is state of the art, and it is where these athletes spend the bulk of their time.
joe
February 19th, 2010
1:52 pm
tear it down & start over. There is no parking, crummy seats crummy everything does everyone forget it was built for ag use??
Ron Roberts
February 19th, 2010
1:58 pm
It’s so BLATANTLY obvious that the “tear it down, start over” crowd has never walked in the building, nor do they QUITE understand that Athens isn’t a 15,000-20,000 seat arena market. We get 7,000-9,000 a game now, and the campus is actually somewhat engaged in this team, now. It won’t get much better than that. Lexington, Ky is a MUCH larger market, Kentucky has a MUCH better basketball lineage, and quite frankly, there’s not much else TO do in Kentucky except drive to Lex to watch the Wildcats. Dawg fans from around the state don’t make freaking pilgrimages to Athens to watch ANYthing other than football, in general, and a state-of-the-art “new” building won’t change that; being a perennial tournament contender won’t nudge that needle much, either.
Get a clue; the SIZE and AGE of the venue isn’t the issue; there are FAR greater needs on the campus other than a new arena just to please some myopic fans who’ve obviously rarely visited the Classic City and/or Stegeman to begin with.
Rabun Dawg
February 19th, 2010
2:02 pm
Mega Dawg, I couldn’t disagree with you more. Why in the world would we need 15-20k seats when we hardly ever fill 10k. Let’s walk before we sprint, and build a consistent winner, then maybe talk about building a larger arena. So, just raise tuition, simple as that.Do you have kids or maybe grandkids that go to UGA? Many families are hard pressed now to send their kids to college, and remember, the HOPE is not a totally free ride for students. Improvements to Stegman, yes, much needed, but not the “wrecking ball” now.
Saint Simons wears a merkin
February 19th, 2010
2:12 pm
I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1985. I agree with the Athletic Association’s approach. The seating area is fine for watching a game. It can get loud and intimidating when it is filled. Ask Tech. The biggest problem is the concourse area is too narrow and too plain.
I know ours is not the most storied program in b-ball history, but I would love to see some tributes to program and player history and some memorabilia added to the concourse. Growing up in Tennessee, I went to UT games and I can remember really large framed photos of teams through the years hanging in the hallways of Stokely Athletic Center. It was great to be reminded of players (often forgotten) who were on various teams back in the day. I know there wouldn’t be room for all years, but maybe they could rotate them and recognize anniversary years. It wouldn’t hurt with recruits or former players either. Have a section of the concourse for men’s basketball, women’s basketball and gymnastics. I know the trophy cases are important for what they represent, but fans don’t identify with trophies. They identify with names and faces.
I Run This State
February 19th, 2010
2:14 pm
Great UGA basketball blog – http://hoopdawg.wordpress.com
bill
February 19th, 2010
2:30 pm
at the end of the day, its not about how a building looks. If you have fans in a sold out arena and the electricity we need to support the team then a renovation is all you need. Recruits will come regardless of the arena is the team is playing good basketball
NewnanDawg
February 19th, 2010
2:58 pm
I have been a season tix holder for several years and this is the perfect solution for the forseeable future. The parctice facility/basketball operations renovation ($30M) that was done is state of the art and that is where the players spend the most time. The seating at the Steg is very comfortable and I believe the concourse improvements are all that is needed from a visual and comfort perspective. I did not read all of the comments but I think someone mentioned Auburn building new. Well, I went to our game against them this year and it made the Steg look like a palace. They do need all new. They had wooden seats from maybe the 50s and I don’t think anything has even been painted in at least 20 years. The floor seating was about 12 rows of temporary metal bleachers and fold out chairs at the ends of the court. The concession areas were about 4 ft. wide and everything was just super old and felt dirty from lack of upkeep(stains everywhere, etc.)
To the person who complained about parking there are two huge parking deck within 2 blocks or you can donate more and park in the McPhaul lot right across the street.
Go Dawgs!
jason
February 19th, 2010
3:04 pm
Look at South Carolina they built a new arena and it has helped them with recruiting so i would say a new arena would help.
Ron Roberts
February 19th, 2010
3:15 pm
Jason, South Carolina benefitted from a brand-new coach; they also play in a market MUCH larger than Athens, that has (or had, last I checked) a minor league hockey team and supported large arena touring concerts and shows. Athens isn’t a market that can regularly sell out a venue that size for events of that ilk.
NewnanDawg
February 19th, 2010
3:18 pm
I have seen more mid to high level recruits at home games in the last month than I saw in entire seasons with Felton, and Fox and crew handle the visits (at least the publicly visible portion) much better. The coaching staff and winning will make the difference in recruiting, not an extra $80M. Like I said, if we had Auburn’s cuurent facility, we would need to build new like they are. But we don’t, and the improvements combined with the 2 year old practice facility mean that our facilities are perfectly competitive. Tech gets great recruits and Alexander Memorial is only marginally better than the current steg. I spent a lot of time there during the tornado invaded SEC tourny. They just have better program recognition and history. It will take some time to add that piece to the recruiting puzzle. A new facility doesn’t help if the recruit simply won’t visit because your school is not regarded as having a long bball tradition.
Go Dawgs!
jason
February 19th, 2010
3:21 pm
Georgia has a brand new coach as well that has revived the Georgia program and a new arena would only help with recruiting not hurt it. thats all i am saying. Im not saying build a 18,000 seat arena 13-15000 seat arena would be fine and it’s possible to sell out if you put a quality team on the floor.
cullowheedawg
February 19th, 2010
3:29 pm
I am not sure about the new building next door (practice ??), but I always thought just building one new building made more sense. When you add the cost of this building and the renovation cost maybe you would have paid 1/2 the cost of a really new and nice arena seating 18,000 comfortably (yes the seats are very tight) Of course I would say play outside in rain and snow if it meant more victories like against SC.
A totally new complex would go a long way to show recruits that we take BB serious.
jason
February 19th, 2010
3:30 pm
Newnan Dawg,
the thing that helps Tech get big time recruits as well is that they play in the ACC which in many peoples eyes is the best basketball conference and that helps them.
Poppy
February 19th, 2010
3:30 pm
As a season ticket holder for many years for the Lady Dawgs,and after traveling to many road games, I think Stegeman is very comparable to most of the arenas in the conference. A new building would be nice, but its not necessary.
NewnanDawg
February 19th, 2010
3:36 pm
Cullowhee – The 90 + million it would take to build a new coliseum from the ground up would not be enough to include a new practice/bball ops facility, especially anything like what was built. The facility also has large entertaining areas, etc. that help with recruiting and donation solicitation. Call the athletic association sometime and ask for a tour. Depending on what the schedule is, they will most likely oblige. And I can assure you, the practice facility, new staff, and Steg improvements are plenty to show that UGA is serious about bball.
Ron Roberts
February 19th, 2010
3:56 pm
Jason, you missed the part where I mentioned Columbia’s a MUCH larger market, and has concert tours in that building left and right, and has (or had recently) a minor league hockey team filling the event calendar. It’s not FISCALLY FEASIBLE for the school to build a new arena, ESPECIALLY one that size, and if they don’t need a bigger arena, then they DON’T need a new arena. That new practice facility, coupled with an-almost new Stegeman (face it, the concourses WILL be new, the interior is less than 15 years old, on the whole) tell recruits Georgia’s “serious” about basketball just fine, thank you.
Legend of Len Barker
February 19th, 2010
4:04 pm
Wider aisles would be a wonderful thing. It’s a tight fit leaving the seats to get to the concourses.
Student section: Students are currently at the mercy of whoever is in charge. For the game against the Tennessee women, half of it was uprooted and moved to worse seats because the University sold part of the section. I know student tickets are cheap, but somehow we’ve ended up as second class citizens though we’re the most integral part of this whole operation.
Giveaways, such as t-shirt shooting and gasoline cards are steered away from the students. The section usually can beg one pizza, but that’s about it.
More concessions would be nicer. The current variety is too limited to be as expensive as it is.
A second video board would be nice. Students have to crane their necks to see the only one in the place.
Other than that, there isn’t much wrong with the Stegosaurus. I just hope that any renovations don’t get rid of the strobe light/disco ball hanging from the roof. It’s beautiful.
Ron Roberts
February 19th, 2010
4:10 pm
Legend makes some valid points; it troubles me that the “in-game” marketing is steered away from the student section when their tuition is loaded down with add-on fees that continue to keep the athletic department in the good graces of the numbers-crunchers. The school never minded having those credit card companies throw ‘em a few bucks to be “allowed” on campus to snare unsuspecting students into their web of credit hell, so it’d be nice if the students weren’t overlooked on a few things at the games.
‘Cause it needs to be pointed out, that thick or thin, the students tend to be there, weekday, weekend, etc. Lose them and the older folks that tend to sit on their hands (or don’t show up when it’s not “fashionable” to) won’t make enough noise to sway a game (or pull in recruits).
gdawginkalamazoo
February 19th, 2010
4:14 pm
Just make sure you name a court for Hugh Durham. Hugh Durham’s Food Court.
NewnanDawg
February 19th, 2010
4:15 pm
Ron, legend – yes, the students deserve more credit – unless it is a 1 point game against an SEC rival, and sometimes not even then, I can’t get people around me in the season tix section to stand up or make noise, and we are right by the bench where it can help. I was utterly disgusted when the 7 seats next to me on the front row at the UT game had been sold to UT fans. I haven’t really spoken to those “fans” that hold those seats since.
Oh, and there is something you just have to love about the disco ball.
Go Dawgs!
Evansdawg
February 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
I and everyone else who loves the Dawgs would like to see our basketball team prosper. But, interest at UGA in basketball is way short of ever making Georgia a basketball school. Go to final four or elite eight a few times during a 7 year period, see how the fans respond in attendance, and then consider a new arena. Stegeman is a piece of history on campus that many people have affection for. Tearing it down and starting over would be hard to watch. Inside the arena is beautiful with the red seats and clean look that it has. Coach Fox is on a fast track to us being a darned good team. Lets focus on that first.
AltamahaDawg
February 19th, 2010
4:54 pm
#1. Go out on the web and actually see the rendering of the plans, and then report back.
#2 The “helps recruiting ” factor for new vs renovated is impossible to differentiate.
Dawgboy
February 19th, 2010
4:55 pm
The Columbia Inferno Hockey team plays in the old Carolina Coliseum (it was nicer than Stegeman, too). Too bad Athens has to compete with Atlanta for concerts. It has helped pay the bills at Colonial Arena. That said, UGA has the money to blow it up and start anew.
jason
February 19th, 2010
5:12 pm
just one more thing about south carolina i like what they do with their student section putting them court side right behind the benches where they can be a big factor…Georgia should look into doing the same where Stegeman will become a loud and hostile environment where teams will fear when they come to town.
DirtyDawg
February 19th, 2010
6:12 pm
If you didn’t check out the link bobdog left us on his post earlier today – 10:56, to be precise – then you need to. I shows layouts and a few elevation drawings of all the planned expansions/renovations. The look they have for Stegeman, particularly if they can stick to, and achieve, that red glass facade, will be wonderful. Just do it. By the way, when is the forecast for start and completion?
AltamahaDawg
February 19th, 2010
6:26 pm
Having the money to do something does not create a need.
South End Dawg
February 19th, 2010
8:13 pm
Build a new arean—Georgia brought in $85 million last year in revenue and easily afford a big new arena. Stegeman is just too old and out of date to attract the top recruits and get the fans interested in coming to games.
Go DOGS
February 19th, 2010
8:53 pm
Since most of the money comes from football, I say we are better off spending the money on closing in the West end zone so we block out the Sun coming in over Baxter, add a fourth level on top of the sky boxes on the South side, and then a level 700 on the North at Sanford. That would give “nose bleed’ a whole new meaning, baby! Wouldn’t that be awesome?
LARCaldwell Hall
February 19th, 2010
10:33 pm
I agree a student section at the Stegeman would be very nice. I love the fact that the stadium has a presence on Carlton St., but some outside work on the facade would be very welcomed. UGA basketball is on the rise and once Coach Fox gets some ties in GA, we will recruit very well. Its not like we are not building other things to coincide with the renovations. theres construction going on 24/7 all around campus academically and athletically. Plus basketball just got a brand new state of the art training facility, they’ll be fine
LARCaldwell Hall
February 19th, 2010
10:37 pm
South End Dog, UGA did get in $85 Million last year but that does not include the cost of operations. Such as paying all those coaches and upkeep on facilities. So its not as big as number as you might thing. And “GO Dogs” I admire your attitude towards adding to the capacity, I agree but leave the side of sanford drive alone. Its what makes it great. You can see the field from the bridge, and just finish adding the nose bleeders over the east end. 105,000 is a perfect capacity for a stadium
JPaul
February 20th, 2010
12:08 am
build a new one and name it “The Foxes Den” so he feels obligated to stay in Athens. Otherwise he is gone to a real BB School! Lets start the dynasty today!
HB Ando
February 20th, 2010
12:24 am
Here’s an issue I cannot even attempt to be objective about. I can’t argue about the seemingly obvious value in either upgrading or replacing Stegeman. For me it’s personal; it’s a special memory. In early 1992 I had the unforgettable opportunity to win the Intramural championship in basketball, on that floor. It was an awesome experience, and will always be a tremendous memory for me. So where others see warts, I’ll always see a moment……
Go Dawgs (and do whatever the program needs to do in advancing its basketball program)!!!!
beachbumdog
February 20th, 2010
9:24 am
Who cares what all these yahoos think about the coliseum? Nobody has seen the rendering. AJC, find something to look at and then we can intelligently write our opinions.
uga74grad
February 20th, 2010
9:50 am
Stegeman is perfectly fine inside so I think the renovation to the exterior is perfect and spot on. there is no magic in “new” and I fail to understand why anything over a few years of age is not worth retaining.
rugbydawg79
February 20th, 2010
9:59 am
Can not believe no one mentioned Jake Scott riding a motorcycle over the dang thing! Oh how time flies I remember when Hugh put the aluminum bleachers next to the court-Lavon Mercer where are you now.
DirtyDawg
February 20th, 2010
10:02 am
beachbum…check out the link that bobdog posted yesterday morning. It includes a couple of elevation drawings, along with plans for the interior of Stegeman – it looks great to me. It also includes plans for the space adjacent to Sanford Stadium and the rest of the sports complex…including an indoor practice facility.
Coach Right
February 20th, 2010
10:32 am
Enter your comments here
Coach
February 20th, 2010
10:37 am
The big difference that should never be forgotten fans, is that the GT Athletic Association paid for its own coliseum, whereas the taxpayers (including Tech fans) paid for UGA’s. Look it up. You’re welcome.
Thriller Dome
February 20th, 2010
10:41 am
Stegmen might be transformed to the greatest basketball stadium of all time. Coach “Nerdstrom” may be the best X’s and O’s coach of all time. It will not matter. No bluechip recruit wants to play for a bottom feeder team in a bottom feeder conference for a fan base that doesn’t care.
Coach
February 20th, 2010
10:46 am
It should be remembered that the GT Athletic Assoc built and paid for Tech’s coliseum, whereas the taxpayers (including Tech fans) paid for UGA’s. Look it up.
dan
February 20th, 2010
11:46 am
I remember watching basketball games at Stegeman when Tubby Smith and Jim Harrick were there and it was always a pretty fun atmosphere especially when a Kentucky or Florida would be in town. I think the university is doing the right thing by remodeling Stegeman. Honestly Stegeman isn’t much smaller than the ” Bee Hive” over at Tech. The biggest edge that Tech has over UGA in recruiting is the city of Atlanta. In football, recruiting prospects to Atlanta is hit or miss. But basketball tends to focus on a more urban demographic, thus a city like Atlanta is more appealing to young black basketball recruits than a small college town like Athens regardless of the facilities( even though Athens as a college town is a great selling point to recruits).
John
February 20th, 2010
11:55 am
Think like a recruit….
I took my nephews(future recruits) to a UGA game at the Stegeman, and we toured other athletic buildings. The Stegeman Coliseum rated the lowest in their eyes, basically cosmetic-wise both for exterior & interior. For one, the building look like a misfit for the area. All of the surrounding buildings have a brick, traditional feel, and there’s a big gray flying saucer sitting in the middle. The interior needs to be transformed unto a more NBA (Phillips Area-like) setting that all little boys interested in basketball associate playing in one day. I’m not for tearing the whole thing down, just maybe transforming the exterior into something that fits the overall architectural evironment of the campus. The interior looks as if upgrades where made but still has a 70’s feel with the narrow walkways and flooring tiles.
It’s one thing to be practical, rational and thrifty like a adult when talking matters of money, but when entertaining future recruits, you have to separate your mindset (wants & desires) from the kids think, because not every kid grows up to bleed red & black. Sometime little niceties such at player entertainment lounges filled with Playstations and hot tubes for althetes only will make the sell.
John
February 20th, 2010
12:15 pm
And get rid of that roof….That thing is hideous!!!
Racetown Dawg
February 20th, 2010
2:36 pm
It would be a lot cheaper than tear down the dump and start over than spend millions more applying “lipstick to a pig.” GA has plenty of cash in the athletic dept. to build a top shelf facility and can ask fatcat boosters for whatever else is needed.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
February 20th, 2010
2:57 pm
Just get the cow poop smell out of the Heating and Cooling vents. Need to bring the Diving Mules Act back to Stegeman to generate revenue. Then tear the antiquated heap down or do away with UGA Basketball altogether.
John
February 20th, 2010
3:30 pm
100 million today will cost you 250 million in 10 years. Better to pay for a new coliseum today than to pay twice that amount later. With all of the land UGA owns around in the area, I say let gymnastics have the Stegman Coliseum, and use the 12 million as a downpayment on a new arena. It will show Coach Fox and future recruits that UGA is serious about its basketball program.
NotSoPettyPetulia
February 21st, 2010
12:29 pm
Women should boycott all sporting events until the restroom issues are addressed. Ladies, withhold your support for our beloved bulldogs until the women’s restrooms meet the higher standards that are deserved! That’s a lot of unsold tickets and concession sales! Women must stand up for equal rights…NOW!! NO ADEQUATE RESTROOM FACILITIES FOR WOMEN, THEN…NO WOMEN. Let the men be the comsumers in this racket for money.since the facilities best accomodate them. Let’s allow the men to support ‘their’ sporting events. Modern women who respect themselves will stay away from such obvious gender bigotry.
SagaciousSam
February 21st, 2010
12:40 pm
Womanizer and Ned Striker are two typical rednecks with the kind of base regard for women that is so typical in Georgia from men of low means and class. Ignorance, particularly the kind we get from these two chauvinistic bojos, must go. UGA is a university of class and enlightenment, but every now and then idiots fall through the cracks as with Womanizer and Ned ‘Beat your wifer’.
That70sGAdawg
February 21st, 2010
10:44 pm
Just update the bathrooms, leave the rest alone- it is a classic!!!
Arena Dawg
February 21st, 2010
11:26 pm
Does UGA want to compete for a national title in basketball? Does UGA want to attract the top recruits? Mr. Evans—tear down this dump!
joe robby
February 22nd, 2010
12:25 am
Most people who criticize Stegeman have never set foot in it for a game. There isn’t a bad seat in the building. When it’s full it’s extremely loud and a great home court advantage. Ask anyone who was at any number of big games there like 1985 Kentucky, 1988 Florida, 1990 LSU, 1995 GT, 1997 North Carolina, 2002 Pitt, 2003 Florida, etc. The key is getting UGA fans to come out and want to be a part of that atmosphere instead of waiting to jump on the bandwagon.
The inner arena is in great shape and has looked like an old traditional college fieldhouse since they reconfigured the seating around 1995. It’s the concourses and the amenities that have always been lacking at Stegeman. From the plans I’ve seen, the new glass exterior will completely transform the outside of the building. And I’m expecting to see great things inside the new facade.
I’m glad we’re saving Stegeman. It’s an architecturally unique building with its unique roof and parabolic arches. Check out pictures of it on sites like flickr where people who care nothing about basketball or who might not even know what a Georgia Bulldog is and read their comments. The ones that put it down either 1) hate UGA and wouldn’t say anything nice about it even if forced to, or 2) have heard ill informed opinions and are passing them along without really understanding the context of privately funded collegiate venues. It’s not like we receive state funding for anything to do with athletics like many out of state schools do.
joe robby
February 22nd, 2010
12:52 am
Coach, save us the time to “look it up” and provide the proof. The truth is, you can’t because you are wrong. And by the way, GT fans are also wrong when they say this about Sanford, which was also built with private bonds backed by UGA people, some of whom used their private homes for collateral. Just because you repeat these things over and over doesn’t make them right.
It is unlawful for state funds to be used for the purposes of collegiate athletics in Georgia. The ONLY way that UGA or GT could use public funds to build a new arena is if we do something like what Tennessee and South Carolina did, which was to go in with the city or county in building a civic arena. We had the chance to do this when the Classic Center was built in Athens but opted to keep Stegeman. So if there are any GT fans that helped pay for Stegeman when it was built, it was because they donated their private monies to pay back the bonds which was used to build it.