Is it time for OCS?

[FLSportsFan]

I would love to see USF with an OCS. USF has a solid core fan base and bringing a stadium onto the main campus would change the atmosphere dramatically. As [relatively] cheap as UCF's stadium was to build, it looked amazing when their campus was being showcased to the country on ESPN primetime.

 

[Southshore26]

The Stanford stadium looks nice and should be cheaper to do in FL than in CA unless it is dug into the ground, which it appears to be. Personally I would like an enclosed bowl of about 50k with possible expansion to over 80,000 if we should ever get to the point where we have that demand. I know that sounds far fetched, but it may happen in the future, and it is better to plan for the possibility.

Go Bulls!

 

Yes... it's sunk 30 some feet into the ground.... still a great stadium though.

[KB]

It's time to do something.  It could also help with season ticket sales the next few years while CWT rebuilds the team on the field.  USF could do a reserve seat program for season ticket holders in RJS to lock in their seats for the OCS.  It would give us incentive to hold our seats now instead of waiting for the wins to start.  It would also give non season ticket holders incentive to buy now as well to lock in OCS seats.

[Carolina_Bull]

Build a stadium that has a quirk tv cameras will love.

put a huge burm or hill in the endzone (no seats) that serves as student section

festival seating gives students mobility that creates a party atmosphere. Cameras could cut to volleyballs, hot chicks on blankets getting picked up

it'd be the place to see people and the place to be seen

take the goal mouths and expand on it

[TallyBull]

Need something to get us through the lean years... Seems like building for the future, both the product on the field and the facility, would be excellent as part of a PR campaign.

Edited December 1, 2013 by TallyBull

[atl86bull]

I agree.  Pick out a location with a preliminary design then start a fund raising campaign to create the excitement.  The OCS at UCF changed their school dramatically and it could have the same positive effect at USF and we would finally shed our commuter school image.  With the planned redevelopment of the Andros dorm complex (retail and new dorms) in combination with an OCS could be something special if done correctly.  I would like to see the stadium where the tennis courts are currently located (near dorms) but logistically it would be better situated south of the Sundome.  This could be a 3, 4, 5 year fundraising effort so its a plan for the future which could be separated from today's university financial situation.  Currently the university is trying to increase its cash reserves as they became depleted during the recession with the big cuts in state funding.  It might be politically incorrect to announce an OCS today when academic programs are being cut and professors are being laid off but if its a several years out so it could be announced today in my opinion.   

 

Who knows Woolard on this board personally?  Please walk into his office and express how the alumni and students feel about an OCS!!!  Its time - lets make it happen!!

[WeWere#2Once]

I agree.  Pick out a location with a preliminary design then start a fund raising campaign to create the excitement.  The OCS at UCF changed their school dramatically and it could have the same positive effect at USF and we would finally shed our commuter school image.  With the planned redevelopment of the Andros dorm complex (retail and new dorms) in combination with an OCS could be something special if done correctly.  I would like to see the stadium where the tennis courts are currently located (near dorms) but logistically it would be better situated south of the Sundome.  This could be a 3, 4, 5 year fundraising effort so its a plan for the future which could be separated from today's university financial situation.  Currently the university is trying to increase its cash reserves as they became depleted during the recession with the big cuts in state funding.  It might be politically incorrect to announce an OCS today when academic programs are being cut and professors are being laid off but if its a several years out so it could be announced today in my opinion.   

 

Who knows Woolard on this board personally?  Please walk into his office and express how the alumni and students feel about an OCS!!!  Its time - lets make it happen!!

Oh, he knows alright... At the Around The Horns stop in Lakeland we talked to him about it and he understood and agreed that it needs to be done.  However, it may have been just politics and just trying to shut us up.  I truly hope that he was able to see for himself what an OCS could do for a program just like ours (UCF). A lot of the people on this board are convinced that it will not happen for another 10 years but I have a feeling that it will come soon, at least the announcement and plans that is.

[BDYZR]

Would anyone consider a P3 arrangement?

[E.T.]

Don't mention students ... We saw their support

[BrahmanBullzzz]

Would anyone consider a P3 arrangement?

I don't think the majority of Tampa residents would take solace in potentially funding such construction during the tail end (and who knows possible resurgence) of the recession.  This is especially so given the uncertain state of the Rays and their potential relocation.  I believe it would have to be primarily though private fundraising.

 

That being said, some sort of massive reinvestment into the area surrounding a potential OCS for USF could be the sort of P3 that is workable.  That would include widening roads, general beautification of pedestrian walkways, improvements to business frontage, ect. So if the actual campus construction can be primarily funded through Phase II of Unstoppable, I could see the city getting behind the project and reinvesting in the general USF area.