As we continue pondering the recent departure of several assistant coaches, the lack of progress on Memorial Stadium renovations remains the elephant in the room that continues to demonstrate, at least from a public perception standpoint, the perceived lack of the university's commitment to the football program. It's been 2 1/2 years since Sheahon Zenger made the following statements (see link below) concerning stadium renovation, and we're nowhere closer to realizing it.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/loca...n-plans-Memorial-Stadium-renovation-next.html
Certainly, several factors have played into the delay -- including the construction of the business McCarthy Hall and the DeBruce Center -- that have diverted administrative attention and financial resources. Understandably, financing renovations from donor commitments as the football team continues floundering on the field is difficult. Nonetheless, particularly as whispers of conference realignment continue, it's disheartening that no public plan for stadium renovation appears anywhere close fruition.
I credit Dr. Zenger for driving the Rock Chalk Park project; Title IX considerations essentially forced the athletics department to address that immediately, and he succeeded in doing so. With that now complete and with the construction of the business school concluded, and with the university attempting (via bond issuance) to address myriad other infrastructure updates, Memorial Stadium renovations now should constitute the SINGLE most important pending capital project on campus. I have it on good faith that attempts to secure initial financing from donors have been ongoing. Absent the apparent success in securing adequate private funds, however, it's imperative that the university and Dr. Zenger get more creative in finding other means of financing the necessary and overdue Memorial Stadium renovations. Time is of the essence at this point, regardless of how the team performs on the field in 2016.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/loca...n-plans-Memorial-Stadium-renovation-next.html
Certainly, several factors have played into the delay -- including the construction of the business McCarthy Hall and the DeBruce Center -- that have diverted administrative attention and financial resources. Understandably, financing renovations from donor commitments as the football team continues floundering on the field is difficult. Nonetheless, particularly as whispers of conference realignment continue, it's disheartening that no public plan for stadium renovation appears anywhere close fruition.
I credit Dr. Zenger for driving the Rock Chalk Park project; Title IX considerations essentially forced the athletics department to address that immediately, and he succeeded in doing so. With that now complete and with the construction of the business school concluded, and with the university attempting (via bond issuance) to address myriad other infrastructure updates, Memorial Stadium renovations now should constitute the SINGLE most important pending capital project on campus. I have it on good faith that attempts to secure initial financing from donors have been ongoing. Absent the apparent success in securing adequate private funds, however, it's imperative that the university and Dr. Zenger get more creative in finding other means of financing the necessary and overdue Memorial Stadium renovations. Time is of the essence at this point, regardless of how the team performs on the field in 2016.
