NCAA Football

Rutgers Expanding Stadium Despite Their Lack of Money

Posted Aug 22, 2007 7:20PM By John Radcliff (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Big East, Rutgers Football

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In a world gone mad, there's always room for one more crazy story. And I mean crazy as in didn't you guys just cut six sports from your athletic budget? And I mean crazy like didn't Rutgers cut 100's of positions and classes at the university due to a "budget crunch?" But I guess crazy is as crazy does!

Crazy like Rutgers is making plans for a $116 million dollar expansion of their stadium. (ht: Fanblogs) The expansion will include 12,000 seats and luxury boxes. No money for jobs and higher education, but plenty stashed away for a football stadium. This is what makes America great!

"Based on the response to tickets, we realize there is a need and we have to find a way to address that," said Mulcahy. He said expansion proposals are still in their infancy and must be brought before the board of governors and other university groups before they are discussed publicly.

But documents acquired by The Record show plans well under way and, according to a source, a construction manager and other personnel have already been identified.

Yes, there is a 6,000 person waiting list. The first of it's kind I have heard of at Rutgers for football tickets. But at the same time, what happens if Rutgers goes in the tank for a year or two? Are those same fans that were no where to be seen two years ago going to keep buying season tickets? Football is a fickle sport. Dynasties come and go. Ask Miami. Did anyone think three years ago that that program would be in the shape it's in? Yes, we all wished it and we are very thankful. But no one saw that program falling that far that fast.

Rutgers is taking a huge risk with this expansion of their stadium. If they don't keep winning, and the Big 10 doesn't pick them to make it the Big 12 Big 10+2, this whole thing could blow up in their face. No one knows what has been said behind closed doors with the Big 10, but any entrance into that conference would be subject to a stadium expansion for sure. I love the coach, and I think the team is headed in the right direction. Maybe they need to strike while the iron is hot. But I think they would be a lot better off raising the ticket prices to meet demand and maybe keep more classes available for students. But that's just me.

Quote of the day from Kevin at Fanblogs, "Cart.Horse."

Tags: rutgers+stadium, RutgersStadium

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