Yea I know it's pretty much brand new, and on the TAF site it says something about adding more outdoor practice grid-irons (are they already completed, haven't been in awhile) but how do these things go. This seems to be somewhat of an arms race among major universities and over the last few years I've been surprised by how much recruits take these facilities into account and how they make the program that much more attractive all-around. Do most schools just renovate them once a decade or so, or do they usually tear down and rebuild? I'm ashamed I have no idea what our old facilities were like and whether they were even in the same location :nope:. Do we have to throw more money into this thing in a couple of years or is it "state-of-the-art" enough for a good bit? I've seen gallery images of the facilities. What other schools have comparable or possibly nicer practice/football ops facilities? Any links? I've heard Oregon's is out of this world thanks to Nike. And do you really think they make a measurably beneficial difference in a program, LSU's program specifically?
A major school must have top facilities to attract top recruits and LSu has always kept on the leading edge. We were among the first in the conference with an indoor football practice field and an Academic Center for Athletes. The training/medical facilities are among the best in the nation and the weight rooms are very well-equipped. The Tiger Stadium locker room is top-notch and the new Football Center is state-of the art. We are building new baseball and softball stadiums and the PMAC and Bernie Moore track stadium have been refurbished recently. Facilities last a long time if properly built, like Tiger Stadium or Alex Box, but they do have to be replaced every 50-60 years and upgraded every decade. Cheap facilities like the current softball field and the Natatorium are due for replacement in less than 20 years. Most of the top schools have comparable facilities and its a constant rotation of who has the newest/biggest/brightest/most expensive. LSU's practice field have been there since the 1950's and for many years were just six regulation fields in a fenced in area. Players dressed in Tiger Stadium and walked over to "The Ponderosa" and back. Charlie Mac started bussing them over in the 70's after a couple of players were nearly hit on Nicholson Drive. When the Old upper deck was built in the 70's, the old stadium light towers were moved to the practice fields so they could practice at night. An indoor field with air conditioning was added in the 80's. Nick insisted on a new Football Center with offices, training and weight rooms, locker rooms, meeting rooms and evrything related to football all in one place. This was added just a couple of years ago and is adjacent to the indoor field and the outdoor fields. The whole football practice complex was renamed for Charlie McClendon in the 90's.
I didn't realize we were building a new softball facility too- I guess Title IX mandates that but I bet they would be thrilled with the box. Not sure but I'd guess the parking may be needed on that corner.
Yea, the system won't even allow me to give the guy positive rep anymore. Says something like I need to spread it around more. Red, you the man anyway!
i had a couple of friends from high school that were recruited to swim here and didnt even give lsu a visit because they said lsu's natorium wasnt even as nice as 90% of the high school pools they swam in. thats sad. its also ugly as hell.
