FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

yes all they need now is new locker rooms

wish list
--new concessions
--new press box
--new sound system
--new scoreboard
--new stadium style seating area
--new winning attitude

[formerd3db]

yes all they need now is new locker rooms

wish list
--new concessions
--new press box
--new sound system
--new scoreboard
--new stadium style seating area
--new winning attitude

I think we'll have at least 4 out of those six in your list sooner than the other two.

[Cousin Eddie]

Rumor has it that former Albion standout LB Glen Brittich has been hired by Hope.  Reports indicate that former teammates are quoted saying "we never really liked him anyways....GO BRITS". 

[Raider 68]

yes all they need now is new locker rooms

wish list
--new concessions
--new press box
--new sound system
--new scoreboard
--new stadium style seating area
--new winning attitude

sac, formerd3db,

Any updates on the Hope Facilities?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

yes all they need now is new locker rooms

wish list
--new concessions
--new press box
--new sound system
--new scoreboard
--new stadium style seating area
--new winning attitude

sac, formerd3db,

Any updates on the Hope Facilities?

Drove past the stadium this weekend and took a peek at the progress.  Lots of dirt and heavy equipment. 

[formerd3db]

Raider 68:

FDF posted the latest photo of the football stadium construction progress.  I suspect we'll see some "green" very soon.

As to the other athletic construction project currently underway, the new outdoor tennis facility, which is right next to the football and baseball stadiums (somewhat "sandwiched" in between) are just about fully completed.  In fact, according to Hope's athletic website posting from this weekend, they are going to be used this summer for some specialized tournaments.  These have some stadium single row seating for spectators and a long walkway behind, overlooking the various courts.  This gives Hope College a "double plus" as it now has both outdoor courts and the indoor tennis facility (DeWitt Tennis Center).  The old college courts on campus are still used for students and community, those being over by dorms and the now general student recreational/physical education facility, which was the former athletic center for all until the huge DeVos arena and athletic facilities/offices was built more recently.

There are other major campus buildings in the works, including a huge new student center, dorms, new music center,etc.  The old huge student center, which pretty much administration offices and bookstore now, and is still a very beautiful modern looking building (which fits in well with the preserved historic buildings of the campus) will continue as administration offices.  Hope has preserved much of their historic buildings, but with these additional modern buildings added to the more recent huge science center, Hawthorne Convention Center/Dorms, Communications/Journalism building, etc., I think Hope is pretty much set for many years to come. Kind of like Mount Union has essentially done in the last 2 decades.  At least we've finally come into an updated "state" with many of the other DIII schools in regards to the football stadium, although I dare say our basketball, volleyball facility with its NBA arena type setting, permanent individual seating, concourse, etc., is the best in DIII, and for that matter, a DI facility (in fact better than many DI schools ). 

Anyway, I hope your early summer is going well.

[DBQ1965]

formerd3db's report on all the progress on the Hope campus sounds great.  I remember what a boost it was at U of Dubuque when they got new buildings that fit in architecturally with the old ones (the first ever building on campus did get torn down however) ... and the addition of new athletic facilities and fields and coaches offices lifted the spirits of many alums.   Now it is a great feeling to sit in the new stadium ... watch a restored football program win games ... catch replays on the big scoreboard ... and look forward to future success.  I guess with the big lake in between, there isn't much hope for a Flying Dutchmen vs. Spartans football game unless they meet somewhere along in the D3 playoffs.  One can dream.

[formerd3db]

DBQ1965:

I suppose that possibility might not be all that "far-fetched" i.e. a Dubuque vs. Hope football game for some future year.  However, it would be a least two years if that were able to be arranged due to the MIAA-CCIW arrangement is done in after 2013.  The MIAA-NAC Challenge is just starting so, obviously, that only leaves the two additional slots.  Dubuque would not be that much farther in comparison as far as the travel distance.  It would be neat to see that happen.

I am sorry to hear that Dubuque tore its "Old Main" down; some schools have unfortunately done that (such as Ferris State).  However, it is good that Dubuque kept some of their other old buildings.  Anyway, hope you are doing well.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sometimes old buildings are historic and/or antique.  Sometimes they are simply old.

I have no idea which is the case for Dubuque.  In Ypsi, we have a building which was (among other things) a Civil War Barracks.  A developer began restoration work (after our most notorious slumlord - now in prison - had let it suffer 'demolition by neglect' for a decade) about 6 years ago; I was all for restoration.  Alas, 4-5 years ago a homeless squatter set it afire.  The necessary props to keep from total collapse blocked parts of two (major) streets for a couple of years.  They have been removed, but restoration would now mean essentially nothing of the original remaining, and the restorer is now begging for funding.  I have reached the point of 'tear the poor thing down'.  The absolute exterior is still 'noteworthy', but it just wouldn't be the historic building.

[formerd3db]

Those are valid points, Mr. Ypsi.  Indeed, that can be a tough decision for some colleges/universities (and/or cities).  The only aspect that I have always maintained disappointment with is the fact that in some situations, the "powers that be" end up making the decision only based on the premise of "urban renewal" and that only.  They, IMO, erroneously suggest that it's simply "progress in today's society". I've seen situations where the cost of renovation and builidng a new structure are either the same or nearly the same, yet those with the decision say simply that they must have "new".  I've then seen where this has "backfired" years later and then it is, of course, too late.  You can't bring it back from the wrecking ball.  I know of one situaion, Alma College, my brother's alma mater as you know.  I love that school also, however, several years ago after their Old Main was destroyed in a fire, they then decided to tear down the remaining historic old structures except one, which thankfully they kept (the Hood Building built in 1899 and finished in 1900, which is part of the public relations dept. now - it used to be a museum and also used for recruiting purposes during the first and second WW's). Alma's campus, while beautiful, is essentially all modern buildings now, save for the Hood and their old 1928 gymnasium (which is now a very nice art center), the 1880's President's house, (which is now the Alumni House, which is neat) and some surrounding old 1880's-1890's Victorian Homes (which are frats and sorority houses).  They also built a "modern" version this past decade of one of their oldest historic dorms on the original site, which they tore down back in the 1970's along with those other buildings, and while this new one is nice, it just isn't the same.  I've seen some small towns and cities do the same thing and now it is much regretted.  Hope did a nice job of "doing both" sides of the coin, IMO. 

In summary, I realize you can't save every old building, however, there indeed are situations where that should be a priority and certainly can be a "plus".  Each organization/institution has to consider the advantages/disadvantages and what is best for the overall plan. Finally, in fairness to "full disclosure", I admit that perhaps I am biased somewhat due to my personal interest in history and also since my late father was an architect, who loved the value of both new,modern design and historic preservation.  He always seemed to find the right and appropriate balance for that.  BTW, he was one of the architects on the St. Louis Arch (although I think I've mentioned that to some here in the past).  Anyway, nice "off-season" discussions here, my friends.

Hope all is well with you, too, Mr. Ypsi.

[Pat Coleman]

formerd3db -- It would really help if you broke your posts up into more paragraphs. That's a big block of text that's tough to read. 

[formerd3db]

formerd3db -- It would really help if you broke your posts up into more paragraphs. That's a big block of text that's tough to read. 

Will do Pat.  Always aim to please!  I guess I just am "O-C" about getting all the details in.   You have a keen eye for editing due to your profession; I guess I've relied more on editors for my published books for that "stuff"!  But, yes, I can do better.

Hope you and family are doing well and enjoying the start of summer.

[DBQ1965]

Re: earlier posts about old buildings on campus being razed ... Steffens Hall (originally called the Administration Building) at the U. of Dubuque was built in 1907 ... four floors containing dorm rooms, classrooms, offices, the campus library, the campus post office ... and my Chaplain's Office.  It was a magnificent brick structure with some wonderful architectural touches including an open rotunda on the main and second floors ... and some great exterior stone arches.  But over the years "deferred maintenance" caught up with the building and it had to be torn down in 1980.  Some of the arches were preserved.  I think its demolition had as much to do with safety and the astronomical cost of bringing the building up to modern standards.  It was a sentimental loss ... but the decision to take it down was part of an effective long-range vision. 

By the way ... you can see a few UD campus buildings in "Field of Dreams" when Kevin Coster is showing walking from the library (actually Van Vliet Hall) to his pick up on Algona Ave.

[Raider 68]

Raider 68:

FDF posted the latest photo of the football stadium construction progress.  I suspect we'll see some "green" very soon.

As to the other athletic construction project currently underway, the new outdoor tennis facility, which is right next to the football and baseball stadiums (somewhat "sandwiched" in between) are just about fully completed.  In fact, according to Hope's athletic website posting from this weekend, they are going to be used this summer for some specialized tournaments.  These have some stadium single row seating for spectators and a long walkway behind, overlooking the various courts.  This gives Hope College a "double plus" as it now has both outdoor courts and the indoor tennis facility (DeWitt Tennis Center).  The old college courts on campus are still used for students and community, those being over by dorms and the now general student recreational/physical education facility, which was the former athletic center for all until the huge DeVos arena and athletic facilities/offices was built more recently.

There are other major campus buildings in the works, including a huge new student center, dorms, new music center,etc.  The old huge student center, which pretty much administration offices and bookstore now, and is still a very beautiful modern looking building (which fits in well with the preserved historic buildings of the campus) will continue as administration offices.  Hope has preserved much of their historic buildings, but with these additional modern buildings added to the more recent huge science center, Hawthorne Convention Center/Dorms, Communications/Journalism building, etc., I think Hope is pretty much set for many years to come. Kind of like Mount Union has essentially done in the last 2 decades.  At least we've finally come into an updated "state" with many of the other DIII schools in regards to the football stadium, although I dare say our basketball, volleyball facility with its NBA arena type setting, permanent individual seating, concourse, etc., is the best in DIII, and for that matter, a DI facility (in fact better than many DI schools ). 

Anyway, I hope your early summer is going well.

formerd3db, sac, Flying Dutch Fan,

Thanks for the update! Looks like Hope is really making fine progress! Great facilities really help the school compete for all those students and student-athletes who consider the school. The reality is that small schools have to make the investments, since it is all about enrollment in a competitive college atmosphere, especially when other schools are more affordable. Formerd3db, you have seen Mount Union and the Board made those investments over the years and it keeps Mount competitive.

[Pat Coleman]

formerd3db -- It would really help if you broke your posts up into more paragraphs. That's a big block of text that's tough to read. 

Will do Pat.  Always aim to please!  I guess I just am "O-C" about getting all the details in.   You have a keen eye for editing due to your profession; I guess I've relied more on editors for my published books for that "stuff"!  But, yes, I can do better.

Hope you and family are doing well and enjoying the start of summer.

It's going well. Kids' last day of school is this week. I just went back to full-time work last month after spending seven months doing D3 full time (not enough money).

You can put details in but multiple paragraphs -- really, just making text blocks smaller -- makes text more accessible and easier to read.