(03-08-2023 09:57 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  Agree with MA again, especially on the polyanna, lol.

Though I'd note, Ourland... 30,000 butts in the seats for 1 game at $75 is over $2mm just in the gate. Add in concessions and parking (and of course, we COULD charge $100 for non-season ticket holders... and add $35-50 to the season ticket package and they (and we) would pay it)

And again, I'm not talking about UT... who are close enough that they could drive over and drive back... even to a night game... and yes, they'll be playing AT TDECU.

And no, it wouldn't cost $80mm to add a (just spitballing) 15 yard deep and 60 yard long extension on the east and west sides of the concourses and adding concessions stalls, escalators and restrooms. It might be $20mm, it won't be cheap... but also remember I suggested the lower level on the east side be turned into a museum... which could easily be funded outside of athletics.... and that would be by far the biggest expense to that side.... as it would create a base and provide electrical and plumbing.

We NEED to have some teams come back to Rice Stadium to remind us (and especially our students) what college game atmospheres can be like.

My estimate was for a complete renovation. I heard you mention $75 million a few days ago, and I think that's accurate for everything to be done, not just the minimum to make it an 'acceptable' facility for 35k.

Benches would have to be reinstalled in the endzone. Luxury boxes and flight decks would be needed to maximize profits. There aren't enough restrooms for over 60k. Permanent concessions would need to be built on the upper concourses. Press box must be redone. All of it needs power. The ticket booths need to be replaced. I could go on and on and on.

I'd love to see Texas and LSU play in Rice Stadium again, but I just don't think there will be the money to accommodate such a crowd. Major upgrades would be needed. We can't even start Phase 2.

And again, this is all about money. Why would Texas play Rice at HRS for $2 million, when it can make $3.5 million at NRG, while allowing all of their fans to enjoy the game in complete comfort in a modern stadium? I don't see it, but it's just my opinion.

(03-08-2023 10:57 AM)Ourland Wrote:  My estimate was for a complete renovation. I heard you mention $75 million a few days ago, and I think that's accurate for everything to be done, not just the minimum to make it an 'acceptable' facility for 35k.

Benches would have to be reinstalled in the endzone. Luxury boxes and flight decks would be needed to maximize profits. There aren't enough restrooms for over 60k. Permanent concessions would need to be built on the upper concourses. Press box must be redone. All of it needs power. The ticket booths need to be replaced. I could go on and on and on.

Agree and I did say that on 'the whole thing'... I apologize for any confusion... but I think we're talking about doing that... and in my suggestion, at least some of the money comes from 'non traditional' donors.

Quote:I'd love to see Texas and LSU play in Rice Stadium again, but I just don't think there will be the money to accommodate such a crowd. Major upgrades would be needed. We can't even start Phase 2.

And again, this is all about money. Why would Texas play Rice at HRS for $2 million, when it can make $3.5 million at NRG, while allowing all of their fans to enjoy the game in complete comfort in a modern stadium? I don't see it, but it's just my opinion.

Again, as much as i'd like to see them here, I agree that they are not the target of my ideas... at least not any time soon. Yes, at some point I can see them coming... but I think initially what we need to appeal to is schools with large followings who may have large (and perhaps wealthy) alumni bases here who aren't already part of their regular 100,000 member crowds. An example might be Michigan or Nebraska or some other large school who wants to visit Texas for recruiting and we could offer them seats for say 30,000 of their local alumni, areas close to the stadium for alumni events and even basic suites for their own donors.... something they can't remotely get anywhere else.

We can only sell what we have... and what we have... Houston and a large empty stadium is unique

Home games at UT are probably worth $10+mm and we can't offer them anything even at a revamped Rice stadium that they can't get just down the road. Reliant is a compromise for them... and probably pays us as well or better than traveling to Austin.

None of it is impossible. The stadium will probably be renovated to accommodate a 30k crowd. My guess is that Rice will be able to do the minimum, but not enough for 60k. All that remains to be seen. I don't know.

More than anything, we need a competitive product. We could realistically attract 20k real fans to our games, and the stadium could be a perfect place for that number.

More and more of the P5 conferences will follow the suggestion of ACC's commissioner, who instructed its schools not to play road games at G5 schools. An exception might be made for "neutral" stadiums like NRG, but certainly not for HRS.

As of now, Rice has exactly ONE future P5 home game - September 8, 2029 versus Northwestern.

What concerns me is that, after next year, there are no future games against Houston. Assuming that the Big 12 continues with its 9 conference game schedule, that leaves only 2024, 2025 and 2028 seasons to play the Cougars.

Not continuing that series would be one of the biggest failures of the current athletic department.

(03-08-2023 07:54 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  More and more of the P5 conferences will follow the suggestion of ACC's commissioner, who instructed its schools not to play road games at G5 schools. An exception might be made for "neutral" stadiums like NRG, but certainly not for HRS.

As of now, Rice has exactly ONE future P5 home game - September 8, 2029 versus Northwestern.

What concerns me is that, after next year, there are no future games against Houston. Assuming that the Big 12 continues with its 9 conference game schedule, that leaves only 2024, 2025 and 2028 seasons to play the Cougars.

Not continuing that series would be one of the biggest failures of the current athletic department.

I tend to agree that major P5 opponents are only interested in playing Rice at NRG. It's an NFL stadium. It's the big stage. It generates more revenue and provides more exposure. It's big time.

We should embrace it, and do what we can to play a big game there every season. It's good for recruiting. It's good for income.

As much as I'd like to see us play Texas or LSU in Rice Stadium, I'm afraid those days are over. That's not to say that HRS can't be an incredible environment for 30k fans. It can.

(03-08-2023 09:03 PM)Ourland Wrote:  We should embrace it, and do what we can to play a big game there every season. It's good for recruiting. It's good for income.

Absolutely. That is reality.

Reliant doesn't generate more revenue for UT than another home game at UT. It's a big stage and there are a few benefits to that, but it costs them millions to play at Reliant.... but there is some perceived value there.

I agree that no p5 school should play at a g5 school... because the typical p5 stadium now is 70,000+ at $100+ per ticket is $7+mm in gate revenue... but there are exceptions to that rule and I'm suggesting we make ourselves an exception.

I've beaten this horse to death and I'm sorry... I probably just should have said that having a 50k+ seat stadium (even assuming we only grass the south end and make it GA, much less put the seats back in AND the ability to build suites that at least for that game, could be sold or even given to our visitors... makes us unique in FBS... and makes us a potential exception to this 'rule' especially for schools outside our normal footprint but with larger alumni bases here.

Again, sell what we have to sell. Almost nobody has 40,000+ empty seats and the city of Houston in their back yard.

(03-09-2023 11:08 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  Again, sell what we have to sell. Almost nobody has 40,000+ empty seats and the city of Houston in their back yard.

TDECU with emphasis on empty?

(03-09-2023 11:08 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  Reliant doesn't generate more revenue for UT than another home game at UT. It's a big stage and there are a few benefits to that, but it costs them millions to play at Reliant.... but there is some perceived value there.

I agree that no p5 school should play at a g5 school... because the typical p5 stadium now is 70,000+ at $100+ per ticket is $7+mm in gate revenue... but there are exceptions to that rule and I'm suggesting we make ourselves an exception.

I've beaten this horse to death and I'm sorry... I probably just should have said that having a 50k+ seat stadium (even assuming we only grass the south end and make it GA, much less put the seats back in AND the ability to build suites that at least for that game, could be sold or even given to our visitors... makes us unique in FBS... and makes us a potential exception to this 'rule' especially for schools outside our normal footprint but with larger alumni bases here.

Again, sell what we have to sell. Almost nobody has 40,000+ empty seats and the city of Houston in their back yard.

Thank God we're in Houston. Even if a big school won't play us in Rice Stadium, they'll definitely come play us in NRG.

The university has probably given up on trying to attract major opponents to HRS. I doubt it's part of the plan. If it was, they wouldn't have removed all of the endzone seating. They must know it's an impossibility, or surely they would try to do it.
Get Notre Dame and Arkansas involved in the rotation with LSU and Texas, even if they must be played at NRG.

(03-09-2023 12:22 PM)Ourland Wrote:  I don't think we try hard enough to get those games. Get Notre Dame and Arkansas involved in the rotation with LSU and Texas.

Yes, and I'm okay with Reliant if that is the best deal we can cut. I'd just want to see the numbers and test the waters on other ideas before assuming that this is our only path to getting them here. Games at Reliant have drawbacks for us in addition to a few advantages.

Maybe things would be different if we were more of a threat to win or at least play well against the big boys??

(03-09-2023 12:31 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 12:22 PM)Ourland Wrote:  I don't think we try hard enough to get those games. Get Notre Dame and Arkansas involved in the rotation with LSU and Texas.

Yes, and I'm okay with Reliant if that is the best deal we can cut. I'd just want to see the numbers and test the waters on other ideas before assuming that this is our only path to getting them here. Games at Reliant have drawbacks for us in addition to a few advantages.

Maybe things would be different if we were more of a threat to win or at least play well against the big boys??

Right. If it's a matter of compensation to the opponent, or exposure, or recruiting, then I understand the games at NRG. If it's a matter of Rice just being lazy, or wanting to go cheap on the stadium renovation, then that's unacceptable. SO, we're really on the same page.

Keep in mind that even if Rice does stick with the 47k capacity, it would still be enough seating to invite schools like Texas Tech, UH and Arkansas. I am afraid that Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma, and LSU would demand the big stage at NRG.

The thing I hate most about NRG is that Rice fans never show up. That's the biggest drawback. We need 15k Rice fans at those games, but I doubt we bring 3k.

(03-09-2023 12:44 PM)Ourland Wrote:  The thing I hate most about NRG is that Rice fans never show up. That's the biggest drawback. We need 15k Rice fans at those games, but I doubt we bring 3k.

This. This is perhaps the biggest drawback. No students. Few fans. The seats aren't as good unless we're all in the suites.... and you really can't hear the MOB

The mob needs t be clearer... we need to fix that. I miss half their jokes... and given that I'm not the audience for half of them, that leaves me with very little

(03-09-2023 01:38 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 12:44 PM)Ourland Wrote:  The thing I hate most about NRG is that Rice fans never show up. That's the biggest drawback. We need 15k Rice fans at those games, but I doubt we bring 3k.

This. This is perhaps the biggest drawback. No students. Few fans. The seats aren't as good unless we're all in the suites.... and you really can't hear the MOB

The mob needs t be clearer... we need to fix that. I miss half their jokes... and given that I'm not the audience for half of them, that leaves me with very little

Me too. The MOB is too small. They should be paid, like BOB.
They need to be 60-strong, like in the SWC days. Do whatever it takes to get numbers. Entice students with stipends, and road trips to UNT/SMU, UTSA, and Tulane.

As for the poor Owl contingent at NRG, perhaps host a gigantic Owl tailgate party somewhere in the parking lot for $20. You must be a Rice fan and you must be wearing blue to be admitted. Maybe they can buy free tickets for every student that would like to attend, and then bus them to the stadium and back. Give them a free T-shirt, and a 10$ voucher for concessions. Our fans and our colors need to be representing at NRG.

If Rice is going to be raking in $1.5 million, a small investment of about 15k is not too much to ask to ensure that our fans are there. I suspect that Rice is too cheap, and not well organized enough to go the extra mile.

For God's sake, spend some damn money. Give us a product that actually has a fighting chance against Texas and LSU. Make us want to go to NRG to see our boys play! The biggest factor in our lack of support is that we typically get body slammed in NRG games. We have no chance. No one wants to spend $100 to witness that.

Quote:Deion Sanders aiming for quick turnaround at Colorado behind overhauled roster, dynamic coaching staff

Sanders led Jackson State to a 23-3 record over the past two seasons; can he do the same with the Buffaloes?

...Can someone from Rice admin and/or Athletic Dept please explain to Deion that turnarounds are supposed to take many years if not decades (all while touting the "improvement" the sideways records don't really show)?...

(03-09-2023 01:38 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 12:44 PM)Ourland Wrote:  The thing I hate most about NRG is that Rice fans never show up. That's the biggest drawback. We need 15k Rice fans at those games, but I doubt we bring 3k.

This. This is perhaps the biggest drawback. No students. Few fans. The seats aren't as good unless we're all in the suites.... and you really can't hear the MOB

The mob needs t be clearer... we need to fix that. I miss half their jokes... and given that I'm not the audience for half of them, that leaves me with very little

I read your earlier post in the same way. Joe Karlgaard and Mike Bloomgren have hardly given fans a reason to show up at HRS. Why would we go to the added cost and aggravation to pack NRG and watch a football game essentially over before halftime?

(03-10-2023 08:17 AM)ESE84 Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 01:38 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 12:44 PM)Ourland Wrote:  The thing I hate most about NRG is that Rice fans never show up. That's the biggest drawback. We need 15k Rice fans at those games, but I doubt we bring 3k.

This. This is perhaps the biggest drawback. No students. Few fans. The seats aren't as good unless we're all in the suites.... and you really can't hear the MOB

The mob needs t be clearer... we need to fix that. I miss half their jokes... and given that I'm not the audience for half of them, that leaves me with very little

I read your earlier post in the same way. Joe Karlgaard and Mike Bloomgren have hardly given fans a reason to show up at HRS. Why would we go to the added cost and aggravation to pack NRG and watch a football game essentially over before halftime?

Cart, horse; horse, cart.

I wonder how big we have to win for how long to make our fans want to support us.

Bailiff didn't get much support with 10 win years and a conference championship. I guess we need 12 win years, back to back to back to back, and a berth - or two - in the CFP.

(03-10-2023 09:21 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Bailiff didn't get much support with 10 win years and a conference championship. I guess we need 12 win years, back to back to back to back, and a berth - or two - in the CFP.

I seem to remember plenty of support sitting in a cold, damp HRS for the CUSA Championship win over Marshall and the very cold Armed Forces Bowl vs Air Force in Fort Worth. Even better in the comfy seats at NRG for the Texas Bowl. Consistent, quality play would bring consistent support I believe. Likely not 100k type support like the TAMUs & UTs garner, but 20-30k support, which is almost an order of magnitude better than what we see currently.

(03-09-2023 01:38 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 12:44 PM)Ourland Wrote:  The thing I hate most about NRG is that Rice fans never show up. That's the biggest drawback. We need 15k Rice fans at those games, but I doubt we bring 3k.

This. This is perhaps the biggest drawback. No students. Few fans. The seats aren't as good unless we're all in the suites.... and you really can't hear the MOB

The mob needs t be clearer... we need to fix that. I miss half their jokes... and given that I'm not the audience for half of them, that leaves me with very little

Are you referring to the songs, the halftime script, or both?

There's not much we can do about the PA.
It's set the same way it was for the regular announcer.

(03-09-2023 02:44 PM)Ourland Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 01:38 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 12:44 PM)Ourland Wrote:  The thing I hate most about NRG is that Rice fans never show up. That's the biggest drawback. We need 15k Rice fans at those games, but I doubt we bring 3k.

This. This is perhaps the biggest drawback. No students. Few fans. The seats aren't as good unless we're all in the suites.... and you really can't hear the MOB

The mob needs t be clearer... we need to fix that. I miss half their jokes... and given that I'm not the audience for half of them, that leaves me with very little

Me too. The MOB is too small. They should be paid, like BOB.
They need to be 60-strong, like in the SWC days. Do whatever it takes to get numbers. Entice students with stipends, and road trips to UNT/SMU, UTSA, and Tulane.

Agree completely with the too small.

The BOB was not paid, except for one, maybe two seasons, and even that wasn't consistent.
Not everyone that was told they would be paid did get paid.
That funding came from the Athletic Department, not out of the Rice Bands budget.

The OPB is paid by the Athletic Department, because they are an Athletic Department creation.

Rick Mello said (paraphrasing): "You should pay the people in The MOB".
With what?
The band's budget won't support that kind of expenditure.

And we'd have to square any payments with the office that handles financial support for the students.
A previous attempt at paying the students resulted in a one-for-one swap - every dollar The MOB gave them was matched by a decrease of a dollar in their other financial aid package(s).

60 in the SWC days?
We were larger than that back to the 50s.

There were over 150 when I joined in '73.
There were 305 signed up for the '75 season.
Ken Dye's MOB ranged from about 180 to 240, and he was leading the band in '95, at the end of the SWC era.

Being forced out of the basement of OEDK and into the east practice gym did significant damage to membership - most middle schools have better rehearsal space.
We were starting to rebuild in size, after our move to the former John L. Cox Fitness Center, when COVID hit.
Hopefully, membership will increase now that COVID restrictions are minimal.
The creation of the OPB has done significant harm - removing the second half of our season - and efforts to continue to engage the band members are not seeing the attendance that we would have liked.

We were also allowed to recruit over the summer, back before everything was done in email.
The band piggy-backed a trifold brochure and letters to the incoming freshlings with all of the mailings that Rice mailed out.
That's gone too.
I would have us mailing to all of the prospies, if the administration would allow it.

The band when I was in school (mid-60's) was billed as the "largest per-capita band in the Southwest Conference".

Rice at that time was about 1700 total enrollment. Seems like I heard that 10% or so of the student body were on the field at halftime, so about 170 back then.