🏈 Time for Alabama to answer the statue question after all these national titles

[TerryP]

Just noticed Casagrande put something up online today. Looks like the BoT have something on their agenda. They are apparently discussing something called the "Champions Plaza" Could this be what we've been looking for?

Here's the link:
http://blogs.tennesseevalleynow.com...plaza-on-ua-board-of-trustees-meeting-agenda/

Great find there!!

The UA system Board of Trustees will meet this Thursday and Friday in Tuscaloosa. In preparation, the agenda was released this afternoon.


Down on Page 12 was an interesting item under construction items for the Tuscaloosa campus.


“Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of an Architectural Service Agreement and approving Preliminary Budget for the Champions Plaza at UA (Stages I & II)”


An athletics department spokesman declined comment on what this project might include. Does this mean more statues for the three other Alabama coaches who won national titles this year?


The only other athletics-related construction item involves the track and field facility.


“Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of Construction Contract and approving scope and budget revisions to the Sam Bailey Track Stadium Renovation at UA (Stage IV)”

 

[planomateo]

Here's the PDF.

Scheduled for discussion on Thursday 6/14.

http://www.uasystem.ua.edu/board/agendas/web%20agenda%20614and615.pdf

Physical Properties Committee Report
1. UA Itemsa. Construction Items
1) Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of Construction Contract and approving scope and budget revisions to the Sam Bailey Track Stadium Renovation at UA (Stage IV)
2) Consideration of Resolution approving Renderings for Construction of LaRocca Nursing Home at Capstone Village at UA (Stage III)
3) Consideration of Resolution approving Renderings for Construction of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity House at UA (Stage III)
4) Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of Commissioning Agent Agreement for Commissioning Services for Presidential Village – Phase II at UA (Stage II)
5) Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of an Architectural Service Agreement and approving Preliminary Budget for the Champions Plaza at UA (Stages I & II)

 

[TerryP]

What this tells me fits what we've been discussing here. The track facility is going to be the next major renovation.

Champions Plaza is still a ways out considering "execution of an Architectural Service..." pretty well means they are going to be beginning to look at different ideas.

I don't disagree we need work on The Joe. But, I can't stand with a group that thinks it should come before the Sam Bailey complex. Geez, that has needed to be done since...late 80's?

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Curiosity abounds as Alabama Board of Trustees plans to discuss 'Champions Plaza' (preliminary plans described inside)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- There aren't many athletics-related items on this week's Alabama's Board of Trustees agenda, but it only takes one to generate some major intrigue.

On Friday, when it convenes after a day of committee meetings, the Board will be asked to consider "authorizing execution of an architectural service agreement and approving preliminary budget for the Champions Plaza."

Here, according to documents viewed by Birmingham News reporter Val Walton, is what they will be considering.

An agenda for Friday's meeting show the plaza would be located next to the Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The plaza will provide recognition for the University's athletic programs and also tiered seating for 600 next to the stadium.

The proposed project would consist of brick and precision concrete walls and would include commemorative engravings that would highlight each team's history including National and Southeastern Conference Championships.

The proposed project is also slated to have a coaches' recognition wall with plaques to honor coaches who have won national championships.

Interactive video displays would allow visitors to learn more about the Crimson Tide's history and traditions within each sports, according to documents.

Landscaping, seating, brick walls and signs will be around the wall for visitors.

A script "A" wall with a brushed steel logo will be constructed on axis with the entry to the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility, and a monument sign naming the plaza will be provided to identify the new plaza. Overall, the project will complement the surrounding athletic building and provide a new gathering place for Alabama students, faculty, staff and fans.

According to agenda documents, the University is seeking a waiver of the consultant selection process for the project, which has a completion date of Spring 2013, to proceed with design using the architectural services of Davis Architects Inc. of Birmingham, accepting a negotiated lump sum fee of $155,115.

The documents said the project will be funded by the Crimson Tide Foundation.

The project location and program have been reviewed and are consistent with the University Campus Master Plan and the University Design Standard.

Clearly, the timing of this couldn't be better.

With national championships claimed by the football, gymnastics, women's golf and softball teams, the Alabama athletic department is coming off a year of unprecedented success. Currently, Alabama honors its championship-winning football coaches with statues outside Bryant-Denny Stadium, an area that also has plaques commemorating other athletic achievements.

In an April interview, Alabama athletic director Mal Moore hinted at something like this when he said there were "plans" to honor legendary gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson in a similar fashion.

 

[UAgrad93]

No doubt that the track complex has been in need of a facelift for a long time. I think we all get caught up, especially myself, seeing LSU and USCjr building new baseball stadiums that continue to push The Joe back into the shadows.

 

[TerryP]

No doubt that the track complex has been in need of a facelift for a long time. I think we all get caught up, especially myself, seeing LSU and USCjr building new baseball stadiums that continue to push The Joe back into the shadows.

Kentucky's may be the only one in worse shape than ours based on what I've seen.

I have been to Carolina Stadium a few times. Top notch!

We don't have close to the attendance to handle that kind of seating. Heck, I'm not sure if the combined weekend crowds would fill it: around 6500 permanent seats and it's capacity is listed at around 8000. It came with a 35MM price tag...nice location by the river.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/scgamecocks/sets/72157624613476491/show/

I've only seen pics of The Box.

 

[UAgrad93]

I don't think we have to expand seating as much as we need to make it more fan friendly. You're right, I don't think we can get the crowd in there to fill more seats. I think a new facility would attract better players and in turn put a better product on the field and possibly boost attendance.

 

[planomateo]

Update via this.

the university of alabama will honor all of its national championship coaches, but don’t call the sculptor just yet. Documents provided to the daily bama blog reveal the planned “champions plaza” will include an interactive look at alabama’s complete body of athletic success.


There won’t, however, be any new statues commissioned.


The $2.8-million project will be build adjacent to the sewell-thomas baseball stadium on the alabama campus. The first phase of the construction must be approved by the ua system board of trustees in a friday meeting. If all goes as planned, the project will be complete by the spring of 2013.


The school plans honor each of the sec and national championships with plaques on concrete and brick walls. Video footage of the accomplishments will also take viewers inside the traditions and history of the athletics programs.


“in addition,” the project summary reads, “there will be a coaches’ recognition wall with plaques to honor coaches who have won national championships.”


the project will include 600 tiered seats outside the baseball facility. The project will be almost completely paid for by the crimson tide foundation. The other $50,000 projected for maintenance and infrastructure will come from the annual operating budget of the athletics department.


The first formal discussion for the project came in a may 18th memo from lynda gilbert , ua’s vice president for financial affairs, to interim ua president judith bonner.


At that point, alabama had won two national championships (football and gymnastics) in 2011-12. The women’s golf and softball teams added titles in the last few weeks to give the school its highest total in one academic year.

 

[srollins]

I came across this a few minutes ago and thought about this thread along with what grad93 mentions in his last post.

The mental image, or analogy if you would prefer, that comes to mind is this; "Who is sitting at the head of the table?"



LINK

Maybe I was wrong. My first impression was that of an atmosphere of belittling the other sports, coaches', player's achievements. Perhaps it wouldn't come across that way. Whatever the manner of honor, they should be honored in an indelible, lasting way.

 

[TerryP]

Maybe I was wrong. My first impression was that of an atmosphere of belittling the other sports, coaches', player's achievements. Perhaps it wouldn't come across that way. Whatever the manner of honor, they should be honored in an indelible, lasting way.

I can't see Coach Moore doing something half-assed.

It's easy to look at what it'll mean for the fans; most of which value football far above that of any sport. It's important to consider it'll be used as a recruiting tool as well.

Consider this as an analogy. When girls come to campus that we're recruiting for softball, don't you think they look at the wall around the Rhoads House and see the pictures of former players and envision their picture being on that wall one day? Or, a football player walking down the Walk of Champions and imagining their name on one of the plaques of SEC and NC champions? Or, say parents of recruits seeing a name, handprints, and foot prints of former captains around Denny Chimes?

It'll be top notch, first class, with no expense spared. It's not like we are in a budget crunch. :icon_cheers:

The idea crossed my mind the other morning...it would be a nice touch to see it named after Patterson not only for her contributions as a coach, but for her work as one of our Athletic Directors as well.

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

'Champions Plaza,' budget increase for track stadium renovations gets recommendation from UA System physical properties committee

Alabama Board of Trustees will vote on both resolutions Friday.

Read More Here...

 

[srollins]

I can't see Coach Moore doing something half-assed.

It's easy to look at what it'll mean for the fans; most of which value football far above that of any sport. It's important to consider it'll be used as a recruiting tool as well.

Consider this as an analogy. When girls come to campus that we're recruiting for softball, don't you think they look at the wall around the Rhoads House and see the pictures of former players and envision their picture being on that wall one day? Or, a football player walking down the Walk of Champions and imagining their name on one of the plaques of SEC and NC champions? Or, say parents of recruits seeing a name, handprints, and foot prints of former captains around Denny Chimes?

It'll be top notch, first class, with no expense spared. It's not like we are in a budget crunch. :icon_cheers:

The idea crossed my mind the other morning...it would be a nice touch to see it named after Patterson not only for her contributions as a coach, but for her work as one of our Athletic Directors as well.

That would be a very nice touch. I agree.

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Alabama Board of Trustees approves 'Sarah Patterson Champions Plaza;' slated for completion by Spring 2013 (video)

Alabama AD Mal Moore says the project has been in the works for two to three years.

Read More Here...

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[srollins]

Damn that Terry and his inside info.

:animbeer7io: