The prof dude needs to do a reality check - first he cannot defend a rehab of Millett on a cost or any other basis; second this is not just a basketball arena project - it will be an important addition for many projects benefiting the entire University community ; third the new arena will also benefit the greater Oxford community as a location for concerts, conventions , lectures, highschool basketball and volleyball touraments, fourth given the ever decreasing highschool applicant pool Miami needs to have as many positives as possible to attract applicants - a new arena will help- does he want to have stiudents in his classroom/ ?- does he want to have a job ?Fifth his so- called “ facts and figures ‘ are incorrect- he has no expertise in construction planning and build outs; Sixth he included no planning or costs associated with where the mens and woman’s BB teams and volleyball team would play while Millett is being renovated . He is a perfect example of some ( certainly not all ) academics who are attracted to “ causes “ without ever doing their homework- these individuals have little no grasp of reality. With respect to Cook Field it has no historic or special signicfance ( sorry Dave )- I was upset when Tuffy’s was torn down, when Old Miami Field was lost , when the old Duke House and Sigma Chi Houses were torn down, when we lost Withrow Court, ( does losing the Purity count? ) etc. I lived in Deninson and spent time on this great Cook Field “ turf “ and I have many fond Greek Week , IM’s and cfross country training BUT we all need to move on - build the arena and THEY WILL COME- BTW per my earlier suggestion put a second Brick Street in the new arena!
Great points. I would also contend that The Professor seems to believe the most important facet of going to college is what you are taught in the classroom. I would counter that some of the most memorable and meaningful experiences in college happen outside the classroom. In ten years, ask the students on campus today, the top 5 things they remember about their years here. Would be surprised if 28-0 isn’t one of them
An arena of 6,700 Sounds perfect for mid-major basketball. But I thought our goal was to be in the next iteration of the ACC. Seems small to be with Wake Forest and Syracuse etc.
mid major basketball used to be an awesome place to be but now 28-0 gets you on the bubble and I.am not sure it is long term sustainable
To be fair, Syracuse has the largest arena in the NCAA. Not sure that’s who we should be comparing our arena to.
A few thoughts:
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If the votes are not in hand to have this pass at today’s BoT meeting, than it is gross negligence by those allowing it to be voted on.
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Having been on multiple Boards myself, I want to raise this question and scenario, because I have seen this happen from first hand experience when a change of circumstances occurs: BoT votes today to move forward with the arena on Cook Field (the only site being considered and for which 3.5 million has already been invested to get us to this stage), season ends, Travis Steele announces he is leaving Miami for another job, shovels have not yet hit the dirt, does the Board reconsider the decision of 2/26/26 in light of the change in circumstances, i.e Steele leaving?
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I have not studied the entire agenda for the BoT meeting today, (I do have clients to represent!) but if there are discussions today of cutting programs or courses, or faculty also on the agenda for today, then that again, is bad timing when you are trying to push forward a 280 million dollar arena project. I hope the BoT had the foresight not to put both on the same agenda.
Just for perspective, recent national champion Baylor, of the Big 12, just opened a new arena that seats ~ 7,000. B1G’s NW is about to open a 35,000ish seat football stadium. I think the trend for new facilities at places that aren’t traditional blue bloods will be less overall capacity, plenty of seating for students, and premium seating for non-students. I’d be thrilled with a facility that had 4,500 student seats, 1,000 GA, and 1,000 club seats/suites.
I had no idea Baylor opened something so small
If the BOT were to do that they should all be dismissed for being incredibly short-sighted. Given the state of Millett a new arena is needed. Reasonable people can argue about the location, design, costs, and capacity, but a new arena is needed full stop. Secondly, were Steele to leave, your pool of candidates for the position of head coach is greatly enhanced by a new arena simply because it demonstrates to said pool of candidates that Miami is serious about its commitment to basketball (as well as volleyball).
I am simply throwing things out for discussion. As I said, I have sat on many boards over the last 40 years. Some of the things I have seen are quite interesting.
So the vote is tomorrow? It does make me depressed that a yes vote will be met with so much angst by the students.
I think I walked across Cook Field once going to McBride back in 1995.
Will it though? There is a vocal minority of people who do care, and people who want to jump on board with whatever people are mad about now. My guess is the majority of students are gearing up for the weekend, Green Beer Day, and Spring Break, and don’t give a shit!
Think OldRedskin has it dead nuts perfect. Though they’ll check their phone to see how the team did. While, of course, chugging their green beer!
so you are betting more or less than 2.5 students are chaining themselves to Cook Field to stop construction once it begins lol
I’ll take the under. I’m sure there will be another hot injustice by the time construction begins.
Any word on the vote. It’s today, right? or is it tomorrow?
Tomorrow I believe
Meeting today, vote tomorrow.
