Does anyone know the next steps or timing of that potential arena? Things have been quiet lately
When things are quiet in Oxford, it’s usually a sign of action behind the scenes.
I understand they are going to launch another survey on student, fan and alumni preference and then totally ignore it! ![]()
I’m new here but was Cook field not a popular choice?
A lot of people who’s biggest use of Cook is walking across the fake grass a few times were very upset about it. The location became a scapegoat for the real, valid argument around athletic spending at Miami.
In the survey Cook was not the choice chosen. The problem some had with the survey is that Miami did it at all as everyone knew Cook was going to be the location. I’m not saying I agree or disagree with Cook, just answering your question. Miami undoubtedly and without question needs a new basketball facility. I have been saying that for decades. Millett sucked when I was at Miami and I graduated in 1987.
I hope you are right and I am guessing you know better than me but I am not sure I can agree with your statement - I feel like it is always quiet in Oxford about Miami sports
I kid you not-many students if you asked them wouldn’t even know we have a game at Yager on Saturday
Facts
Many students also have little to no idea how much they are really paying through fees to athletics as they try and hide it best they can in the general fee.
When I looked into it this summer, I couldn’t get to the actual amount on Miami’s site. You can back in to it from NCAA required reports, but Miami is intentionally cagey about it.
There’s definitely going to be a reckoning on athletics expenditures as college sports continues to change. Also, any possible changes to university funding/loans could also really cause ripples, but we’ll avoid the politics of that for here.
As I said when we discussed this when the process started, while the arena is obviously athletics focused, I do think they should stress the non-athletics benefits of this project of having a modern arena in the heart of campus that is part of a larger hotel/restaurant development. It will be a boon to all sorts of events on campus: graduations, speakers, concerts, university guests (family and visitors), career fairs, etc.
Millet has structural issues and money needs to be spent to replace or do a major refurbish. A university of Miami’s size needs a large venue, not just for athletics. University needs to do a much better job “selling” this aspect to the public. Put the real Millet costs out there and share how this will serve the community beyond sports.
If you go on campus, which I will be on for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, buildings have already been torn down. The Old Miami Hotel is gone. There is a development plan in place for the area immediately surrounding Farmer and Marcum. And yes, students and their parents have little idea how much they subsidize athletics.