At this time stadium expansion for fans is not needed. Rarely are people turned away from Peden. If that were a problem, it would have been fixed already. The Athletic Department has a hand in creating that problem. We can always build up the bleachers facing the press box area to be higher or the South end (which I"d hate to see).Many plans could be devised. This fills that awkward hole between the North stadium seats. Bottom line, our fan base needs to grow rapidly before seating expansion talks begin. If there's a need, it will be addressed.

Those are the best chips anywhere since Mr Bee changed their recipe..

Serious question: Why do varsity athletes need a $5.5 million building for academic help? Why do they need extra facilities the rest of the student body cannot access?

My primary answer would be, because varsity athletes have a major time commitment that other students do not have, and it puts them at a disadvantage academically, yet they are expected to compete anyway. A facility like this is an attempt to help them study more efficiently, helping to level the playing ground.

A more cynical answer would be, because everyone has one, and if you don't, you are at a recruiting disadvantage.

You might want to ask the Sooks - they ponied up the cash

Wow. That actually was a major announcement. Kudos to all those involved. And huge thanks to the Sook family.

They don't. Just keeping up with the joneses.

Would the Sook family have donated for something else, not related to athletics? We'll never know.

Looking at the rendering posted above, it seems obvious that whenever we do "fix" Peden it'll involve knocking down those dumb corners and connecting both of our main sideline grandstands into a U shape connected via this building.


ALSO: I was just in Athens for the first time since the IPF was completed. WOW. Driving down South Green Drive from Richland past Peden then the IPF then Ping and then the new dorm. WOW. What a drive that is. The IPF and the new dorm (across from the labs and Ping) is amazing. That road looks AWESOME with those two buildings. This academic center is a PERFECT fit for that road. It is gonna look sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. Recruits are gonna love it.

No, you're not. I asked the question sincerely and with the expectation of a reasonable, legitimate answer. I was not politicking.

Athletics has their dream projects just like anyone else. When asked, they will provide a list. I assume when a donor indicates they are willing to give the university responds with its priority list. And, if Athletics gets a spot on that list, there you go. I assume the only way to avoid spending like this is to not have athletics altogether.

I'm excited to see this project completed in the coming years. If nothing else, I think the building will compliment the existing stadium very well architecturally.

I admire the vision laid out by the Sook family as well as their generosity.

Several years ago I got the chance to speak with McDavis in his office about his defense of OHIO athletics. When I asked him what he says to the detractors of athletic spending, McDavis said something along the lines of, "Why wouldn't you want every part of OHIO University to be the strongest version of itself?"

I have no doubt this generous gift by the Sook family will strengthen our athletics program across the board.

Ohio University is not going to recruit 4 and 5 Star Rival recruits. What we need to do is target solid 3 star recruits who are also solid in the classroom. Very good athletes who are disciplined and understand a team concept are the players we need to build our programs around.

As a student at Ohio University, I volunteered in the Sports Information Office and gained valuable experience which was vital in obtaining a job within one month of graduation. There are many students, alumni and residents in the community who benefit in various ways from our athletic program.

When I moved to Virginia in 1988 people would ask where I went to school. When I said Ohio University, close to 90% either confused the school with Ohio State or mentioned our party school reputation. The past ten years or so, a much higher percentage know about Ohio University, most notably because of the exposure our Basketball and Football programs have provided. I assume the 110 has a separate budget from athletics, but without the athletic platform/venue, there would be no 110 performing around the country and world at various athletic and non-athletic events.

In terms of a separate area for student athletes to study, time spent practicing or traveling to road games takes away valuable study time. Having a centrally located facility near the athletic complex makes sense.

I understand many students and faculty are not athletic fans and respect their opinions being against the IPF and the Academic Center. Ironically two of the negative posters on FB have Ohio State shirts on in their profile picture, one of which is drinking a beer. They should take a look at the athletic lounges at Ohio State which include ping pong and pool tables. There are many projects and expenditures that I do not agree with at Ohio University and other schools, but that is life.

New scoreboards and other items would be nice for fans and might entice a recruit or two. With that said, if we are relying on items like a scoreboard to recruit an athlete, I would imagine that might be someone who does not bring the intangibles that we need to "put a better product on the field", which in turn brings out more fans generating more exposure for our school.

In terms of "Chicken or Egg", I think we are doing the right thing following up on the IFP with the academic center. Yes, we still need to consider and eventually provide enhancements to Peden and the Convo.

Thank you to the Walter and Sook families. I made a commitment to the Walter Fieldhouse and will do the same for the Academic Center.