Practice facility update
- Thread starter CATFANFOLIFE87
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Barnhart says that the goal is to have the building completed in July and have the fields installed by Aug.1st in time for fall camp. The wet weather has been an issue and set them back on the fields but they think they can still make goal
That's the positive spin on our program! We're building an expensive barn ( with A/C no less) compared to the rest of the SEC according to your wise observation.
UK's facility, when you include the Fieldhouse, which is five feet away, will be quite a bit bigger than UTs when it's done.
J11...with all due respect you need to chill out a little!!! I'm 65 years old and have been waiting about 45 years for this stuff and the past is the past and nothing we can do about it. I have been by to see the new facility twice in the last couple of weeks on trips from Lou to watch the women play Washington, the bb team play WKU in baseball and again on Sat to watch FB practice and the bb team beat #1Fla...we have talked about the blame game here several times ,who's at fault and at this point in the words of a lieing SofS HRC "at this point what difference does it make" ...fyi..MS has said that with the addition of the new practice facility that we will have "as good of facilities as ANY place in in the country." Also, are you aware that it has been reported that the funds raised for that facility came solely from basketball only folks who had never given to FB projects so hopefully we have turned the corner...now if I can just develop faith that we have the right man running the program I think we are in good shape...one last thing is you keep bringing up Ala. My advice to you on that and I am serious , if you are expecting this program to become Ala you probably need to follow Ala and get in line with the other 12 programs in the SEC that want to be Ala...T will save you a lot of grief.
A voice of reason amid the cloud of rhetoric and opinions based on bourbon or passion intended to be profound.
Actually you are probably right------and instead of saying nice I probably should have said very very nice, especially for UK football. Overall I am quite happy with the direction UK football is headed, especially the recruiting. And I think our staff's recruiting AND evaluation will give us a chance to compete in the SEC very soon. I also am very optimistic about the recent coaches added.
BUT what part of my post do you specifically want to argue with, you know A&M just spent $450,000,000 on their stadium, which already seated 82,000, you know Arkansas started a $400,000,000 athletics upgrade while BP was still there, you know California recently spent $400,000,000 on athletics facilities-----to name a few. And about Thug U's football facilities upgrade, which they have had the benefit of for several years now, wasn't it supposed to cost $80,000,000 (not counting their 102,000 seat stadium) and doesn't it have 145,000 square feet in one building (and who knows what next to it), with a full sized 120 yard indoor practice field (along with an outdoor one). Watch this promo, you that have seen our new facility, and tell me we passed them up-----PLEASE.
No, I was going to show their promo on their new (had it for four or five years, what a comparison to our "recruiting room" at the time, no wonder we went so far downhill) but no place on here for a TU promotion film, made me a little sick to watch it. Suffice it to say I think SwayedShoesBlue post is way off.
My main complaint is the HUGE time lapse in our improvements, which put us even farther behind and which leaves us several years behind our SEC competition even now that mitch woke up, it should have never happened.
But I do think we are in a good place and think we have a chance to catch up------I don't think you can blame a lot on the present coaching staff (or the previous one, really, they didn't have a chance, didn't even try for top talent------because they knew they couldn't get them), we ARE making great progress, just had a LOT of ground to make up.
Two things that really need to be made up now, IMO, paying HALF the stipend of our main rivals AND paying full out of state tuition for MOST of our players. Didn't we just donate an $80,000,000 or so Science building to them, I do think academics should come first, unlike Dity College, but enough is enough. Although I really don't think money is the real problem now, getting the OK to spend it is.
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Just stop with the friggin sniveling with all your complaints about how you aren't happy now with what is history. That is your sole purpose in life it seems and you are never satisfied even when changes are made. It's old and worthless garbage on this board and those of us who have been here a while have read it too many times.
The only time you have a good word is when you pause long enough from your constant harping to fake everybody out that you are done with the snivels.
The only time you have a good word is when you pause long enough from your constant harping to fake everybody out that you are done with the snivels.
You need to set up an appoint with MB And MS...maybe they can satisfy your cravings for satisification...All I know is I have had a chance to talk with MS and he says we will have as good or better than anybody
Just don't want history repeating itself, no excuse for it then and certainly not now. As I have stated pretty often, I am pretty optimistic about what is happening now, especially with the coaches recruiting, AND with the recent coaching changes.
Not everyone has read it too many times, our program is on the increase, new fans every day------even some frontrunning basketball fans joining up.
Are you happy with the COA situation compared to Transfer U and Thug U not that many miles away? Don't you think that is a huge advantage that other schools are taking advantage of, to the fullest, and do you think it doesn't matter? Nothing ever mentioned about it (except by me). We used a "recruiting room" that we couldn't afford to replace the folding chairs in for over a decade but were able to buy a new Science building to get the money needed to make more money, mitch couldn't raise the money for new scoreboards until they were two years past the date for the scheduled replacement but raised the money in a day when the Profs protested LOANING some of the money back that football has GIVEN them over the years?
Keep egging me one, plenty of old sins to revisit, and plenty of things that still need to be done. Tubman being kicked out of school might even be one, I don't know for sure, wasn't there, I just know he would still be playing at TU or Thug U------not that I don't think the new Science Building is a great thing or that I ever want to be like TU or Thug U.
Yeah, it probably is best to let sleeping dogs lie, and I do usually respond to my critics. And as I have stated a few times lately, I don't really enjoy some of this. So, get off my back and maybe I won't bring up some of the unpleasant FACTS about our past.
I have sent a few emails to mitch in the old days, all in a civil manner, and never received any acknowledgement that they were even received. No problems with MS, needs to get some of the mistakes out of his system though. I did talk to Joker in person a few times when he was the OC, he even listened to a couple of my "trick" plays, and I later found out from Ervin Flowers (before some of his critics on here probably ran him off, excellent poster-----think he moved back to Texas to coach because there is a lot more money in high school football there) that they actually practiced one of them-----although they never used it in a game. I do have one very unique play that I think would work and that is perfectly legal, by the rules------maybe a little unfair though, would only like to see it used against TU or Thug U though, they deserve it. When I tried to get through to our lately departed OC there was no chance, and when I tried to get in contact with him through our Rivals contact I received a world of ridicule on here. It will show up some day, I can't be the only one in the world that had enough spare time to think of it.
And mitch lied to you, we will never have as good or better than anybody, it isn't even remotely possible, we will have to have excellent recruiting and coaching to try to make up for the years we have to make up. I am VERY happy with our less than $200M improvements, what a difference (mainly because we were so bad off before), A&M spent $450M on their stadium alone, other schools have 100,000 seat stadiums they fill (A&Ms would be worth the price of admission just to see the enclosed stadium with the retractable roof) while we now have a 61,000 seat one-----which will be sold out when we start winning-----very soon.
I see where you are "only" 65, maybe us old timers on here are more tired and less tolerant than you youngsters, LOL. I do enjoy "most" of your posts, by the way, you add a lot to the board.
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Pretty sure the COA is going to be revisited by the ncaa and I do share your sentiments on that and LT...I do know that he wants to come back to UK even now, but Dr. Capiluto is going to have to become involved and I just don't see that happening...As far as your comparisions of UK with A&M , UT and Bama we will NEVER be on their level either in money spent or stadium size because of fanbase and wealthy alumni willing to back the projects you want...no use crying over it ease it is what it is
By the way, sluggercatfan, you made me quite jealous with your visit to Lexington, but no mention of the women's softball team, with only one loss in the tough SEC so far and ranked 12th in the nation, maybe you are just slowing down a little bit like me and can't be everywhere at once like I used to be, LOL. I usually follow all of our programs pretty closely, and the University of Kentucky | Official Athletics Site has a lot of info, but not as much live coverage as they used to. And yes, mitch has been very good for our "minor" sports,
As a old timer over the years I've had visits pertaining to UK athletics with these A.D's..
Bernie Shively: I was a high school athlete same time his son Doug was a outstanding athlete at Lafayette High and we both enjoyed reminiscing those times. Thought he was little more pro football which impressed me.
Clif Hagan : He liked horse racing. I was for hiring Howard Schlenberger(sp). Never got positive vibes from Clif about that hire. Pro basketball!
C.M. Newton: Was the basketball coach and my P.E. teacher when I was at Transy. C.M. listen to my football concerns but became defensive about coach Munne. Matter of fact told listeners including me on a call in show that maybe we should get another team to root for! Thought that was very bad response and later told him so.
Mitch: Never been to his office for a visit. I've had conversation with Mitch on three different away football trips. Found him to be a little reserve but approachable, good listener, and respectful. No doubt the Billy and Joker hires were bad which he has acknowledge. Mitch is a Christian and that is very important to me!
Bernie Shively: I was a high school athlete same time his son Doug was a outstanding athlete at Lafayette High and we both enjoyed reminiscing those times. Thought he was little more pro football which impressed me.
Clif Hagan : He liked horse racing. I was for hiring Howard Schlenberger(sp). Never got positive vibes from Clif about that hire. Pro basketball!
C.M. Newton: Was the basketball coach and my P.E. teacher when I was at Transy. C.M. listen to my football concerns but became defensive about coach Munne. Matter of fact told listeners including me on a call in show that maybe we should get another team to root for! Thought that was very bad response and later told him so.
Mitch: Never been to his office for a visit. I've had conversation with Mitch on three different away football trips. Found him to be a little reserve but approachable, good listener, and respectful. No doubt the Billy and Joker hires were bad which he has acknowledge. Mitch is a Christian and that is very important to me!
Shive began the downfall of UK football Br hiring Charlie Bradshaw instead of Jerry Claiborne in 1962.
Cliff Hagan could have hired Howard Schnellenberger, but thought his ego out of control. Howard went to Louisville. UK football slid further down the SEC ranks.
C.M.'s hiring of Hal Mumme was a disaster when Claude Bassett was caught trying to buy recruits. Probation was one step away from the infamous "death penalty."
Mitch inherited the mess, made coaching hire errors, but has built one of the best overall athletic programs in the SEC and nationally. Every sport except football is either competitive or nationally ranked. He has been extremely reserved, honored Dr. Todd's pledge to be probation free during his administration. Football program improvements were postponed monetarily until the UK Healthcare system was built and the crumbling university infrastructure was rebuilt. Football improvements at CWS and the new practice facility came from major donors including basketball partisans. And, we want to rebuild football in three years? This is a process the university, alumni and the vast majority of fans understand.
Cliff Hagan could have hired Howard Schnellenberger, but thought his ego out of control. Howard went to Louisville. UK football slid further down the SEC ranks.
C.M.'s hiring of Hal Mumme was a disaster when Claude Bassett was caught trying to buy recruits. Probation was one step away from the infamous "death penalty."
Mitch inherited the mess, made coaching hire errors, but has built one of the best overall athletic programs in the SEC and nationally. Every sport except football is either competitive or nationally ranked. He has been extremely reserved, honored Dr. Todd's pledge to be probation free during his administration. Football program improvements were postponed monetarily until the UK Healthcare system was built and the crumbling university infrastructure was rebuilt. Football improvements at CWS and the new practice facility came from major donors including basketball partisans. And, we want to rebuild football in three years? This is a process the university, alumni and the vast majority of fans understand.
No we have plans to see SB team play soon as we talked to some of them at the WKU baseball game and yes they are impressive and no slowing down for me...presently making plans for away FB games
I read somewhere that the administration at TAMU is already worried that the expansion was a mistake
The stadium rebuild on the east side of Kyle Field was necessary and half the cost of the expansion including lowering the field for more sideline seats. The other half of the investment was all the bells and whistles (Aggie museum, hall of fame, shops, food service et al) could well be questioned. If you think about it expanding to 102,000+ seats does apply a certain amount of pressure on the football program to succeed. That is a challenge the Longhorns gladly accept as Charlie Strong made a recent statement Texas is going to "run roughshod over everyone." Oh yes, Texas Memorial Stadium only has 101,800 seats. We have no idea what a bitter, bitter rivalry is all about.
Remember - our new training facility will have a couple of things inside that literally no other college team has, except maybe Oregon.
No mater how anyone slices it....I've got two words. Major Upgrades.
Couple things.... Arkansas upgrades for $400Million included more than just football, it was an Athletic complex upgrade that included football, baseball, track & field and other sports as well. Those from Arkansas will tell you that facilities strictly for football still aren't at an SEC upper echelon level.
Also Texas A&M refresh included practice facility and stadium refresh. It actually included everything that UKs refresh does, they don't have any more amenities than UK will have, actually UK will have a few more amenities in its new practice facility. Texas A&Ms refresh costs more for the stadium refresh side because they have a larger stadium, more material costs more money. UKs practice facility is bigger and the new addition costs more. Texas A&M spent $20Million on the practice facilities alone, UK is spending $45Million...
I know that given UKs reputation in football, fans can't fathom UK having great facilities even with the refresh. But take it from a person who's visited Bama, the facilities would disappoint you if your thinking they are really really extremely nice. Tennessee has the best facilities in the SEC and UK's will include everything that Tennessee has, minus the MMA ring. However UK will have some stuff that Tennessee doesn't have either.
The only thing that we should question in how nice these facilities are is only wondering how good the architects are and there use of space, because the size is there and materials are there and amenities are there to compete or leap over the other facilities in the SEC....
Also Texas A&M refresh included practice facility and stadium refresh. It actually included everything that UKs refresh does, they don't have any more amenities than UK will have, actually UK will have a few more amenities in its new practice facility. Texas A&Ms refresh costs more for the stadium refresh side because they have a larger stadium, more material costs more money. UKs practice facility is bigger and the new addition costs more. Texas A&M spent $20Million on the practice facilities alone, UK is spending $45Million...
I know that given UKs reputation in football, fans can't fathom UK having great facilities even with the refresh. But take it from a person who's visited Bama, the facilities would disappoint you if your thinking they are really really extremely nice. Tennessee has the best facilities in the SEC and UK's will include everything that Tennessee has, minus the MMA ring. However UK will have some stuff that Tennessee doesn't have either.
The only thing that we should question in how nice these facilities are is only wondering how good the architects are and there use of space, because the size is there and materials are there and amenities are there to compete or leap over the other facilities in the SEC....
Really looking forward to seeing it all when completed. Long time coming, but I just hope Mitch and UK continue to keep upgrading this facility and stadium on a regular basis. The coaches and players will have every possible resource available to them now. They have to show the results on the field or all of this is just a waste of money.