Start with a little paint and some better lighting and go from there.
Just a few of those things here and there will do wonders.
The RAC is here to stay
- Thread starter LKAP13
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Just a few of those things here and there will do wonders.
Well that is why in an earlier post I mentioned how winning is the most important part of this equation.
You do that and it makes it much easier to yell now, doesn't it? LOL
One positive about the RAC is that the Livingston campus in general has become very nice. You can go to the diner or something before/after the game if you wanted to without having to drive anyway.
And these are some of the "outside" improvements I'm talking about.
It's a start...
Ha... wow, that's way way back.
Was able to dig up an article that the 1994 expansion "nearly doubled" the size of the stadium to 42.5K. Not sure how accurate that is. Wiki says that the capacity of the old stadium was 31,219... wondering if that included capacity in the grassy areas on top of actual seats - anyone know how many seats the old 1938 stadium held?
The opening day attendance at the new 1994 stadium was 33,279 vs. Kent State... which was apparently the largest crowd to ever attend a home Rutgers football game (surpassing what looked to be the previous record of 31,219 against Temple in 1988). The final home game of 1992 was a win over WVU in front of 22,295 fans.
So it didn't look like there was a huge demand to increase the capacity of the stadium at that point... probably more a push to modernize it after joining the Big East in 1991. It was certainly a different era, though - in terms of building costs as well as team/conference revenues. The 1994 expansion cost $26M (which would be ~$38M in 2008 dollars when we were putting on the second expansion... just over a third of the $102M for the 2009 expansion.
Oh I agree. But in the bigger picture and to do it right one million is not a lot of money to make it permanent including new lighting, logos, architectural stanchions, painting, banners, etc.
For some reason the number 23K sticks in my head.
Could be wrong but that's what I remember.
And recall the original expansion/rebuild in 1994 was supposed to be a little bigger. We were supposed to have more of a C instead of the U we ended up with.
Yes.
As for an example since I was just talking about the FB stadium in a previous post...remember how much better it looked when anything that could be painted RED was indeed painted RED? Huge difference.
No reason any exposed concrete INSIDE the RAC should not be a high gloss RED at this point. And that includes the columns.
The outside of The RAC was just powerwashed about 18 months ago--I just happened to be there the day they were doing it.
some aspects of the Pernetti plan could be used but there is no reason for a video board because are not going to lunch in front of the RAC in the winter...all you need is some trees, evergreens because it will be in use during the dormant season and nice paved sidewalks...its deplorable that my 80 year old mom has to side step potholes in the uphill walkway (another issue in itself, why isnt it a flat walkway), this should be paved over every single season or refurbished to concrete walk from the hideous macadam
And again in the big and B1G picture....not a lot of $$$ for these simple quick fixes that will go along way to show the commitment.
Watching a wrestling match at St. John Arena right now. What a classic basketball arena with the seats right on top of the floor. Wish the Buckeye still played there!
A new RAC should never be made. We need to make changes at the RAC or expand that is fine. We will never be at the point when we need 12k-15k seats. Look at that monstrosity that they created at PSU if you need an indication why a large NBA style arena is a bad choice. With that in mind Re pitch 118 and the wall there. Create a new entrance and new concessions and you got what we need. An intiimate but not tiny arena with character, volume, and intimacy.
10K would be fine as a max...I also agree we will never need ,more than that, this is a pro area, unless its top 10 for decades plus which come on lets be realistic we arent going to be, 10K is fine and there is nothing wrong with having demand to get seats. Its like the silly arguments that one day RU will pull in 70-80K for football...no they will not
I do not think they can keep the RAC as is in terms of capacity. They need to blow out the slanted roof sections and have both of these sections reach the same height as the two side sections. My guess this would increase the capacity to about 10.5k.
The RAC against UNLV was amazing ... So loud ... Few can match if RU has a winning team.
Missouri, PSU A10 game, WVU, Lots of amazing rockin' RAC games.
If there is ever a need to expand capacity at the RAC how big can they make it? People have thrown numbers around but does anyone know for sure?
The R...U, Footballllll!!!! to the State Penn fans (remember we beat them that year) and the sound when Dadika hits the three from Dunellen...
Whatever you've heard, it's all true.
That illustration will never happen. It is not physically possible. It was just a conceptual illustration, not a real plan. For example, in the illustration, the roof support columns in the corners no longer extend to the ground. They stop midway down and there are walkways through them. Or the illustration shows two rows of floor seats on the sidelines. But there is not space between a regulation court and the existing seats for 2 rows of floor seats (unless you cut off the bottom rows of the existing seats, in which case the steps would no longer reach the floor as shown in the illustration). I could go on. But you get the point.
I disagree and look at the picture differently but neither of us know if this illustration is possible or not. I suspect if TP had this mock up created then it was in the realm of possibility.
That's from the donor brochure that Pernetti created to generate interest and money for RAC renovations. There were multiple conceptual drawings which were inconsistent with each other in the brochure, including different configurations of the seating area. When I asked about one of the configurations which would reduce the number of 100-level sideline seats, I was told not to pay too much attention to the drawings, since they were just concepts put together by the artist, not actual plans.
I think you are reading too much into the drawing to assume that because the drawing exists, someone actually determined that the configuration was feasible.
And it doesn't need to happen.
Just some of the things in the drawing and discussions need to happen for it to be a BIG (and B1G) change in how the place looks and is perceived.
Winning team on the court + a few noticeable changes inside an out = "Man, I do NOT like coming in there to play" from our opponents.
Corrrect...Fred had to cut out two corner sections on each side that had the sidewalk poured because we went over budget and cut the original capacity from 46,100 to 42K and change...and later lowered to 41,500 when ADA requirments required some seats to be cut out
You would think Fred would have learned this in the RAC (where the same thing happened that cut the original capacity from 10,500 to 8.700)
two huge 3's in that game by RD...can remember coming back from palestra after beating temple as well, foul line violations...chaney going nuts
In the post-game presser, Chaney went ballistic. His "If you're going to beat me, beat me!" sound bite was replayed over and over by Steve Somers on WFAN that night and early morning. Ah, the memories...
The RAC should never be replaced. The best place to watch basektball I've ever been. Anyone there during the late 90's early 00's when we were playing the top ranked Connecticut and Syracuse teams. This isn't hyperbole, it was literally so loud you couldn't hear yourself think or speak. With this new coach and a shooter we will have that again!!
Side note... Anybody know anything about whether the 100 level seats are being replaced with real seats now that they are building the practice facility? Since we no longer need the space for the practice hoops, was hoping those awful seats would be replaced. Anyone over 6 ft tall can not sit comfortably.
Side note... Anybody know anything about whether the 100 level seats are being replaced with real seats now that they are building the practice facility? Since we no longer need the space for the practice hoops, was hoping those awful seats would be replaced. Anyone over 6 ft tall can not sit comfortably.
I guess you never sat there when they were those molded bleacher seats! I'm sure they'll still run camps and stuff in there. No need to replace those seats and reduce capacity even further.
hahaha no we used to sit right above the radio guys and then moved to the top row of section 118. I guess that makes sense! Don't want to lose anymore seats down there, and I do enjoy standing all game.
All of you that want this done. (And I mean the powerwash, which I agree with) Can we all agree to call Sarah and ask what it will cost. Can we all agree to fund it. I will be there. Stop harping and donate.
Keeping something looking clean shouldn't cost extra. Same with light bulbs.
Bells and whistles should cost more. But not general upkeep.
Bells and whistles should cost more. But not general upkeep.
RAC renovation has been needed for a very long time prior to Rutgers even becoming a member of the B1G..The problem always comes back to the lack of funding .There simply aren't enough alumni /fans that are interested in being a donor for sports in general.The fact the mens basketball program has been so bad for so long has resulted in poor attendance and put on the back burner talk of RAC upgrades in seating,promenade entrance,rest rooms and concession stands.The practice facility probably won't be completed until the end of 2018 or early 2019.I expect a hiatus in RAC talk until 2021 when Rutgers gets full B1G funding and the success of Pikiell can be further determined.
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