Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon: more Michigan Stadium expansion ahead?
Ongoing renovations of Michigan Stadium aren't complete yet, but that hasn't stopped Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon from pondering future expansions of the venue.
Nothing is imminent, Brandon said Monday. But in looking at future sketches of scoreboards, some options added seats. Michigan Stadium currently has a 106,201 capacity.
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon says that Michigan Stadium's scoreboards, shown here before a game against Ball State on Nov. 4, 2006, are antiquated. He's looking at replacing them at some point in the future.
Ann Arbor News file photo
“The reality is the scoreboards are old. They are old technology,” Brandon said after appearing on the Michigan coaches show Monday night. “So when you start looking at whatever you’re going to do with the scoreboard, there’s all kinds of things you can do with where you put the scoreboard and what kinds of things you put around it. I’ve already looked at sketches at what that might look like, and one of the scenarios could add a few seats. We don’t have to, but we could.
“The key thing is that stadium is really flexible in terms of things you can do. So it’s fun to kind of think about what’s next. But Crisler is first.”
The construction of the Player Development Center adjacent to Crisler Arena is expected to begin almost immediately after Saturday’s commencement ceremonies. The renovation of Crisler Arena is expected to begin in 2011.
Brandon said they won’t have updated numbers on how many suites have been sold for “another few weeks” as they wait on hearing from some potential buyers who visited during the spring game.
“It’s a high priority and big opportunity for us,” Brandon said.
Another potential addition in the future is lights to Michigan Stadium although Brandon said that isn’t in plans currently.
When asked about night games in the stadium - Michigan will play host to its first one in 2011 when Notre Dame visits Ann Arbor - Brandon said the stadium has the capability of adding lights to the stadium.
“There’s no plans to do that right now,” Brandon said.
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein
Comments
BowlForBlue
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 4:52 p.m.
@ Edward Vielmetti... thank you for sharing Mr. Yost's dream of up to 150,000 seats - and that was 1927! With all the history of Michigan Football, why not seriously honor this great man and fit 150,000 spectator seats (as he was surely talking about actual spectators, not team, players, officials, etc.)? Secondly, I was at a home game that had 112,000+ in attendance, does that mean the 106,201 capacity plus players, officials concessions, etc? And doesn't the 1 on the end stand for Fielding's ghost?
treetowncartel
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 12:40 p.m.
Just bring back the blue chain link fence with the barbed wire on it. I loved that prison yard feel. Plus, it would keep people from coming in and vandalising the place.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 6:42 a.m.
If the program doesn't get back to 9-12 win seasons they won't need the seats they have. It was somewhere around 1976 before Michigan got any consistency in 100,000 plus games. The thought that the sort of attendance could never go away is short sited.
mgobluegold
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 6:40 p.m.
Well...... Mr. Rodriguez will get his wish on that one game September 4, and to boot, another 9-12 before seasons end - this for sure. What's this New Scoreboard.... Boston Red Sox still 'hand change' each number on the scoreboard... New Scoreboard - outrageous! Then on the other hand, America's best college football team most certainly deserves the best scorebord, look for Mr. Brandon to move quickly and decisively - and Mr. Rodriguez to exclaim 'Ah Scoreboard'!
zags
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.
Later in the press conference, in response to a reporter's question about the Wolverines' chances for getting new scoreboards, Rodriguez said in a high-pitched, incredulous sounding voice: What's that? Ah -- Scoreboards? Don't talk about -- Scoreboards?! You kidding me?! Scoreboards?! I just hope we can win a game! Another game!"
Kafkaland
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 5:45 p.m.
New scoreboards? Perhaps we can get some numbers worth putting up there first?
Lokalisierung
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 4:35 p.m.
I think the problem uofm has is they always want to keep a nice balance between old historic stuff and being cutting edge. Certinaly most people wouldn't want some Jerry Jones mammoth 60 yarder or anything, but a tastfull upgrade would be nice.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 4:07 p.m.
Yes lights would be a good thing, but then you gotta deal with the blue hairs around here crying about it.
81wolverine
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 3:51 p.m.
About the score boards. It's amazing to think how long we had those tiny, worthless ones - decades. The current ones I really appreciate because of how bad the previous ones were. It's amazing because the new ones aren't that old really and already they're outdated! I know they'd like to put even bigger, glitzier ones. Fine with me. The stadium definitely needs lights. Having to deal with these temporary towers all the time is a big pain I would think. Why not get the TV network(s) to pay for it - or at least part of the bill?
TRUEwolverine
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 3:28 p.m.
They will be adding an upper bowl of equal size to the current structure due to increased demand for tickets after the show put on this coming year. Brandon will have no choice...
cutty240
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 2:39 p.m.
Michigan needs to get with it.Install lights to play night games.Players love night games,and so does TV.I will tell who is going to install your new scoreboard,PANASONIC.Mark it down its almost a done deal.I've got friends in High and low places,mostly low,I might add.But the High ones I got are Pretty Darn good.
a2miguy
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 2:21 p.m.
I was so hopeful that new scoreboards would be in place for the reopening in September. C'mon rich folk.... cough up some more bucks and make it happen!
lugemachine
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.
"..theres all kinds of things you can do.." "Theres no plans to do that right now." I sincerely hope that Mr. Brandon actually said "there are". Ineloquence is a characteristic best confined to Columbus.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
Well obviously it will keep expanding to have the highest capacity, nothing wrong with that. But before that they do need to replace the scoreboards...those things are way too old. I'm sure there will be those crying for some reason that it "wasn't all new fangled and futuristic back in myyyyy day." Also, get some peop eto run some replays on the scoreboards during the game.
Terry Star21
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
@ Theo... Mr. Brandon wants to put seats on top of a new scoreboard for our BBQ group, charcoal grills the works - as we have been great supporters of Michigan Football. I prefer that over the blimps, albeit a great view. In reality looking at that stadium, there are many more options for seating. I am really inspired by Mr. Brandon's excitement and motivation, he is thinking 24/7 on how to better Michigan Football, the Michigan Family. Mr. Brandon - he's the best...... always looking forward - the Michigan Quest