I haven't. I'm really curious too. My hope is to get down there Halloween weekend.

They made that choice, and I can see why. In terms of trying to get into the P5 mix, look what they have that we don't: They've been in a P5 conference before, they're in a metro area of more than two million people, and they have significant non-alumni fan support. All that said, I still think it's a huge risk for them to take in a rapidly changing environment -- and it has a chance to pay off.

Ohio making a similar debt-driven investment in Peden would be insane because we're never getting a P5 invite and the only way to pay for such a project would be through student fees and/or channeling funds from vastly more important university needs. Going $50 million or so in debt for better pretzels, fancier urinals and a "big time" look (whatever that is) during the one or two times Peden is full each year would be a ridiculous use of money on a campus that has tons of needs.

I'm not saying it has been ignored. Instead, I'm saying that I think Ohio would get more ROI with Convo upgrades than Peden upgrades. The building draws more fans, and has many more events year round than does Peden. I would assume it makes more money for that reason. I wish there were a way financially to do both.

I'm not seeing the ROI for Convo upgrades. Before the new floor and upgrades to the interior nobody was complaining about the Convo. Its one of the 50 largest arenas in Division 1. Peden was/is regarded as a lower end MAC stadium. Moving the academic center out of the Tower makes it so more accessible for students. At least from the outside it will make Peden look a lot better. Its going to double for donor and alumni receptions picking up some of the functions of the proposed alumni center that was planned by Glidden at tailgreat park. This is why it has priority over a basketball practice facility at the Convo that only 4 sports use.

http://cms.bsu.edu/news/articles/2013/8/video-boards-enha...

http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2015/07/un...

So I recently found this PHENOMENAL article from over the summer on Ohio public college athletics spending and thought you all might find it interesting, especially on the slide deck you can scroll through to show the comparative spends on different categories. The image that stands out to me is the debt service number for athletics at the various campuses: tOSU- $191MM, UC- $139MM, Kron- $68MM, etc. Lil' ol' OHIO only $2.6MM! I'm damn proud of that number, considering nearly all cap ex is paid by donations, not debt on the Foundation.

Say what you will about student subsidies and the like, but the fact that we only have $2.6MM in debt tells me we have our priorities in order. Don't get me wrong, I believe we could/should be making some capital improvements, especially at the low cost of money in this economy, but not at the level of many of those other institutions, and certainly not with borrowing nearly all the funds to complete the projects. Leave the major debt service to items like the dorm replacements and other deferred maintenance projects that are being executed in the master plan. Just my $.02.

Agree wholeheartedly. And there are plenty of needs for buildings that are used every day as opposed to six times a year.

http://www.athensnews.com/news/campus/ou-board-of-trustee...

The use of OSU in that figure is misleading as the Athletic Department is self-sustaining and pays the debt and operates without any support from the general fund or fees. At OHIO we are the opposite.

Mark, I agree. At some schools the revenue from those 6-7 days of use is so large that they can afford to spend a lot to enhance the game day experience, but that isn't the case at Ohio. In a big city there might be multiple sports teams using the same stadium, also providing a justification for more expenditures, but again, that doesn't apply. Perhaps they could rent the stadium to Hocking College a few days a year, but they really aren't going to get a lot of revenue from that to go towards stadium upgrades.

Last time playoffs were played at Peden was 2006, from 2001-2006 Peden hosted 9 playoff games including a Saturday Double Header. Essentially Peden is a total non-factor for play-offs today as there is too much competition from top quality facilities in SE Ohio.

I know the idea of the university spending money is a hot topic and very debatable, however, there are certain things that go along with being a division 1 FBS program. Having good facilities matters. A great facility can not only boost the fan experience, but can also be a very good tool in recruiting. FBS prospects want to play in a "big time" environment. What has the bigger impact on a recruit, a facility like Marshall has with its giant dual scoreboards, or Peden with its 13 inch screen with a broken line going through it? I agree that it probably isn't a great idea to go crazy on Peden Stadium, but a new scoreboard and sound system, along with restrooms and concessions, are not over the top and I believe are necessary to keep us competitive.

Is the plan is to move the Touchdown Club into the academic center and the 110 back to the endzone, as is right and proper? Because I would love to see the Touchdown Club move into the academic center and the 110 back to the endzone, as is right and proper

Okay, I will bite. Exactly what improvements are you all talking about that the Convo needs that will cost multiple millions of dollars? Secondly, how do you figure R.O.I. when talking about the Convo? I really would like to know. As Billy has already stated, it is not like nothing has been done to the Convo in years. There has been work done each year on that facility.

Secondly, in regard to Peden the only place I see for possible expansion without leveling the entire complex is on the east side (student side) stands. With the new academic center going to occupy the north end zone, there is no other place left with the exception of the south end zone, and that too presents limited options. Therefore, even if you level the entire east side of the stadium and replace it with a 2 level facility, I do not see that costing $60/$70MM. I am still not sure what you could do with the Tower side but with the upgrade to the east side at least part of the facility would be in the 21st Century and should have modern rest rooms.

Thirdly, sorry but I am not into "early cheap" and that in my humble opinion is how Peden comes across. By doing all of these projects with none of them matching you have the appearance that football is basically an afterthought or is the illegitimate red-head stepchild of the athletic department which does not send a positive message to potential recruits.