Stadium Tour

UKspecial38

Freshman
Jun 19, 2013
57
81
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Went to the stadium tour for season ticket holders today at The New Commonwealth Stadium. Mitch Barnhart and staff did a tremendous job of organizing and showing us the stadium and upgrades. (Something they wanted to do before our 1st game last season, but couldn't because of continuing construction). We toured all of the new phases of the stadium from Pressbox, Woodford Reserve Room, Recruiting Room, Lockeroom, etc.
Some players and AD staff served as hosts and guides for the tour. Mitch actually met with each group that went through and explained the ongoing plans for improvement to football facilities. After today, I'm more convinced that we are absolutely making the effort to make football relevant in the SEC. Glad I went.
 

floboi03

Senior
Apr 8, 2009
950
622
93
Would of given anything to have gotten the opportunity to go. Can u give any insight on some of the cool stuff you seen? Also, did u see/hear anything cool that we fans would like to know? Thanks.
 

reflaine

All-Conference
Jul 26, 2007
2,507
2,177
53
Wesley Woodward took one group through in the evening session. Also seen drake jackson and Courtney love with groups. Landon foster also was there. Really enjoyed it. Here is a couple observations.

Every detail was thought out and looks really good. Reclaimed barn wood wall accents, U.K. Logo and checkerboard all over the place making the brand noticeable. Tvs galore. First class facility we should all be proud of.

Nice to have a sample of some food. First station had chicken waffles, then bbq sandwich with beer cheese and chips, then make your own hot brown nachos. Nice little touch to make day more enjoyable.

Barnhart going over plans of future upgrades for not only football, but all sports. Answered questions on wifi and sound system and music selection. Wifi and sound system are both 3 million upgrades that he cut from renovation to help develops the training center more. He felt that was more important for the program at this time. Went over each area of new training facility. Also putting half a mil into upgrades each year. Also mentioned new baseball facility (close to 50 mil) , soccer training fields, and tennis facility (20 mil)

Woodford reserve club is where it is at. Sweet area! Didn't know all the chair back seats were split into two club areas. The suites are nice but at 60k a year and three year deals....

Recruiting room was amazing. Staff Talked about benifits of it. Being able to serve dinner on the patio, with lights of stadium on to families while on officials visits. Very cool area and presentation from recruiting staff on how it is helpful.

Team room was very practical but bare. Lots of chairs and blackboards. Serves its purpose very well though. Landon done a great job of telling what this room serves and accomplishes.

Finished tour going thru the tunnel towards the field. Hitting the til the battle is won sign and opening doors. Doors opened and grove street party playing. Also had smoke makers set up for everyone to "run" onto the field.


Very good day! And the stadium is one to be really proud of!
 

UKspecial38

Freshman
Jun 19, 2013
57
81
0
reflaine gave a great description of the tour. Would like to add how impressive the new pressbox is. Visiting coaches and commentators for Radio/TV probably are very impressed with those improvements. I left the stadium thinking, "I will probably never be able to see those parts of the stadium again, but I got to take it all in today." If they are able to do this for the new training facility, I'm all in!
 
Oct 1, 2001
5,199
1,898
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Jon Toth and Cole Mosier was with our group. Both are obviously great young men. I agree with other posters. This was an impressive presentation from start to finish. Standing on the field speaking with another fan made us both feel CWS has evolved into a great SEC venue. The football training facility is amazing. Hope we can all tour the facility in the future.
 

donniem

Senior
Mar 4, 2016
768
992
93
start of baseball stadium 8 months away. has 2/3 of the money and a plan in place for the rest. 50 mil. facility. Also took us into the room that controls all sec network uk related. also all replays on scoreboards. tough job getting replays on board for coaches to see. After a official review is called, they can only show replays that the sec reviewers can see. 2017 will go to the nil system from a team in Birmingham. should have more consistency in all sec games. press box very impressive. recruiting room too. hope to do same thing for practice facility. Plan to begin sodding practice fields June 16. move in July 15. practice start August 4.
 

donniem

Senior
Mar 4, 2016
768
992
93
thought interesting about previous press box with only one elevator, was getting coaches down at halftime. had had problems with coaching staffs on elevator at same time. Now have 4 elevators. get uk staff down service elevator faster than the visiting staff on other elevators.
 

Mr Schwump

Heisman
Nov 4, 2006
29,563
23,097
18
Take the O staff and players to the end zone and tell them they need to get there as often as possible. That's all the tour needed.
 

reflaine

All-Conference
Jul 26, 2007
2,507
2,177
53
Also was surprised at how big the tv booth was, and how small Tom Leach space was.
 

Greasy Creak Mafia

All-Conference
Sep 9, 2015
809
1,007
0
I hope they retire grove street party.........and by retire I mean put two in the back of its head, burn it, wrap it in plastic, put it in the trunk, drive it to the Clays Ferry bridge and drop it off the side.
 

jauk11

Heisman
Dec 6, 2006
60,631
18,638
0
I hope they retire grove street party.........and by retire I mean put two in the back of its head, burn it, wrap it in plastic, put it in the trunk, drive it to the Clays Ferry bridge and drop it off the side.

I don't think anything deserves that kind of treatment------well, maybe Sandusky.
Of course jurich might qualify if all his crimes were publicized.
 

jte123

Junior
Mar 27, 2005
4,027
294
0
I went to a game last year really liked a lot of the changes but still thought the outside was pretty boring.
 

Soupbean

All-American
Jan 19, 2007
5,945
8,109
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Wasn't there but a buddy was and said the player hosts did a great job. Sais Garrett Johnson as about as nice a kid as you could imagine. Very impressed.
 

Greasy Creak Mafia

All-Conference
Sep 9, 2015
809
1,007
0
It's just a lame *** song. We dem boys, OK, we ready, OK most all the rap,tunes OK, but it's a party it's a party it's a party sucks red glistening dog shafts.

And cotton eyed joe sucks gorilla balls to. It's not like its one or the other