I wonder who the big donor was who came out of the word work? Probably one of the BA loud mouths. ;-)

I thought that was just my computer that locked up right as the words hanging scoreboard were coming out of his mouth. Was going to go back and watch the replay but I'm guessing the glitch will be on the replay too.

We've been over this before, but to my knowledge they haven't completed the planned engineering study on the roof which has to happen first.

He mentioned the aknowledged need for a "new scoreboard" during his remarks at the HOF luncheon before the game. He gave the impression that this project is at least on the radar.

When thinking about a new 'hanging scoreboard', there's more to it than the weight of a scoreboard itself. The Convo isn't owned by athletics and multiple groups have/want a say in what gets replaced up there when it happens. This includes things like lighting, speakers, rigging type stuff so UPC & groups can have larger concerts, and various functions in the Convo. So it's always a little deeper (and probably more political) than it seems at face value. (just think of all of the go-round with the MPF)

These have to be the first public comments of this being a viable project, right? That's very encouraging.

Technology is a wonderful thing....20 years ago I wouldn't doubt if these boards weighed 10 times what they do now. Also, steel structures can be relatively easily reinforced with additional steel. I work in the overhead crane industry (think permanent structures inside heavy manufacturing facilities & steel mills, not anything on rubber tires, or attached to the outside of a building being built.) At least once a month someone wants to know if their crane/runway structure can be upgraded to a higher capacity. The answer is always yes, just a matter of how much you want to spend.

The engineering study for this should be very simple. I'm sure there are original prints on file somewhere that detail the steel structure. Once you have that it's just a matter of modeling it and applying the proper constraints & loads.

A couple things working against the Convo in this regard....it was designed to codes applicable in 1960's, any upgrades would require it meet current codes. I am not as informed on when the codes changed over the years but snow loads, earthquake loads, and the requirement for considering fatigue in the steel structure were all likely not considered when the Convo was built and would need to be considered now.

Ha ha....one of my favorite Hoosierisms...it takes a Purdue engineer..

as my kid is working on his Rube Goldberg contribution for his HS engineering class.

Some of this is coming back to me now. I believe the powers-that-be understand that the Convo is due for a new roof in the foreseeable future and the engineering study will be part of that process. The study is thus not being done to see about a hanging scoreboard, but athletics will certainly ensure that this question is included.

How much would it cost to make Alden aesthetically pleasing?

Was it Alden that could not be built taller than Galbreath Chapel or Galbreath Chapel that could not be built taller than Alden? Or is neither true? While working at Galbreath Chapel as a student I was told it was the former but I trust this group's collective knowledge more than my GA boss.

Alden would sink if it went higher.

Its nice that you can see the scoreboard from your seats but the people 3 sections over from you might not be able to. A new scoreboard should be a priority.