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Post by FU73 on Aug 22, 2013 14:55:05 GMT -5
Update on Alumni Hall and the Walsh Athletic Center improvements on Stag website:
Alumni Hall is also receiving updates with the addition of a new roof as well as interior improvements to the entry vestibules, new locker room windows, and exterior façade repairs....
The basketball teams also benefit from this round of renovations as the team locker rooms in Walsh Athletic Center were redone to provide more space and improve locker facilities for the men's and women's squads. The changes will give the student-athletes a modern and state-of-the-art locker room that includes the addition of a lounge area and technology upgrades.
"We are very pleased with the new construction and aesthetic transformation that our facilities have received over the summer," Director of Athletics Gene Doris said. "Our University administrators and the board of trustees continue to show their commitment to our athletics department by providing facilities that give our student-athletes the ability to compete at their highest level."....
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Post by FU73 on Aug 22, 2013 15:05:16 GMT -5
Every little bit helps but the seats need to be addressed when there is a few extra bucks or an alumni donor who is a fan of Stag Women's Basketball.
FvA assured me that the University Seal (of St. Robert Bellarmine) will not be removed in any lobby refurbishing.
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Post by sobro on Aug 22, 2013 15:12:32 GMT -5
How much could it possibly cost to put chairbacks on either side of the court, get rid of the big bleacher, and replace it with something not quite as high, RED, and more portable.
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Post by FU73 on Aug 22, 2013 15:18:01 GMT -5
$$$$$$$$. It is just not there right now but it would make a tremendous difference in the appearance of AH as a NCAA Division 1 facility and the overall game day atmosphere.
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Post by FU73 on Oct 28, 2013 9:04:59 GMT -5
I didn't get to the Red/White Scrimmage on Saturday (in transit) in Alumni Hall but later in the afternoon I did get the opportunity to check out the recent renovations that were done this Summer to AH. Obviously the "new roof" is an improvement visually and functionally. All the front doors have been replaced and include a new handicap accessible remote door, the lobby seems to have been repainted and includes the Stag logo and brand lettering. There are two new vending machines and the floor including the original University shield is much shinier. A few of the locker room ceiling tiles were replaced due to water damage as were some carpets. However, the interior of the stucco arch on the facade has a few big pieces of peeling paint hanging down. Hopefully this still is on a list of touch ups before the Stag Women's Basketball home opener against Leigh (PL) on November 21. Unfortunately and sadly it was left in that condition for Alumni & Family Weekend and also for the Stag Volleyball home games this season. A little more mulch again and a few new plantings would go along way to making AH look not so tired or neglected, especially considering it's location at the heart of the campus.
I did speak with FvA in the Rafferty Gym and renovations and upgrades are "planned" for AH but the RecPlex is next. AH is being upgraded as the "funds become available" and when the University can afford them. Joe Frager told me that he is looking forward to the Oklahoma game at the WBA and a few more double headers there again this season but he and his staff are aware that they are not as well attended by the men' basketball fans. AH is not an asset to recruiting but the University's academic reputation, the WBA, the Walsh Athletic Center, Rafferty Gym and the renovated locker rooms are. However, a renovated and upgraded AH would be a big asset and also would draw more students, alumni and the local community to the on campus games.
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Post by FU73 on Dec 4, 2013 15:54:49 GMT -5
 There was a send off/pep rally for the Stag Volleyball team from Alumni Hall this afternoon as they left for the NCAA Volleyball Tournament in Nebraska. In the upper left hand corner of the picture you'll notice the paint is still peeling from the underside of the Main Entrance roof and hanging down. This is not a mult-million dollar repair and an easy fix even if just temporary. It was this way for Homecoming Weekend and God only knows for how long before that. There is absolutely no excuse for it to still be this way on the front of Alumni Hall especially now with Stag Women's Basketball playing the 2013-14 home games there. It is bad enough that Joe Frager has to recruit for players against Marist and now Quinnipiac but having a NCAA Division 1 home court that is probably worse than the recruit's high school gymnasium is a real hindrance and obstacle but peeling paint just screams neglect to everyone involved with the program and to anyone who sees it. EMBARRASSING! |
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Post by sobro on Dec 4, 2013 17:21:08 GMT -5
Truly a disgrace. IMO, the rebuilding of the RecPlex and Alumni Hall should be ALL ONE PROJECT. There IS ABSOLUTELY NO VISION when it comes to these issues.
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Post by ctghostman on Dec 4, 2013 19:40:42 GMT -5
Paint and such is maintenance. That's not an "vision" issue. It's a stewardship one.
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Post by sobro on Dec 4, 2013 19:47:24 GMT -5
In total agreement, Ghostman. Alumni Hall has had the same peeling paint on the vents over the side doors since the backboards were wooden. I was referring to a previous comment about the "RecPlex" being "first". Just think about what could be done with the entire physical plant of Alumni Hall and the RecPlex. Aside from the pool, which you could work around, that's a huge area.
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Post by FU73 on Mar 24, 2014 11:32:49 GMT -5
While at the Stags 63-50 WBI East Region Quarter Final Round win over Maine in Alumni Hall on Sunday afternoon, I noticed that the small locker room windows on the West side of AH and some of the small windows in the front of AH adjacent to the Rec Plex are being covered with 3/4" plywood which I assume is part of the process of repairing or replacing them? Unfortunately and embarrassingly the paint is still peeling on the front façade overhang of the Main Entrance roof as it also still is inside on the large side vents by the East exit doors. A great way for the University to make a negative impression on the fans, students, visiting teams, the WBI, the media, our fellow alumni and more importantly the players that Joe Frager and his staff are trying to recruit to play there. Embarrassing! At least the Sodexo Food Court Concession Area was operational on it's folding tables next to the super bleachers.
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Post by FU73 on Apr 3, 2014 12:29:02 GMT -5
While the University does basically nothing to renovate Alumni Hall, not even fixing the peeling paint, Siena has the public phase of it's campaign to renovate and add to their on campus Athletic Recreation Center (ARC). Siena's reasoning for doing this is: Over the past 10 years, Siena has increased its athletic scholarships and augmented its coaching staffs, but lacked the resources for a major renovation and expansion of our indoor athletic facilities. Our facilities now lag behind those of our peer institutions, let alone the colleges and universities whose national reputations for academic excellence and athletic success we seek to rival....Siena is about a third of the way to their $6 million goal and when their ARC is renovated with 2,000 premium chairback seats and video scoreboard, it will no longer "lag behind peer institutions". It will also be at the top of the MAAC with Marist, Monmouth and Quinnipiac as a home court for their Saints Women's Basketball program. In addition, their Saints Alive! annual giving program has $2.5 million towards their goal of $3 million. "The Saints Alive! mission is to provide the best possible environment for our student athletes to succeed, while maintaining the high standard of athletic and academic excellence associated with Siena College.The University's Walsh Athletic Center (WAC) is far and above the best facility of it's kind in the MAAC that serves the academic and athletic needs of the Stag student-athletes. However, Alumni Hall is an embarrassment to Stag Women's Basketball, Stag Volleyball and Fairfield University itself and most definitely "lags behind our peer institutions". Siena saw a problem and took steps to fix it. Joe Frager is competing against Marist and Quinnipiac in the MAAC for top recruits and AH is not an asset and a hindrance but it doesn't need to be that way. Siena took action and didn't say the their ARC would be fixed "when funds are available" but rather put in place a plan and the campaign to fund it! sienacampaign.com/portfolio/athletics/ FYI:Fairfield has more than double the endowment of Siena and yet Siena still seems to find a way: Fairfield University - $293 million Endowment Siena College - $139 million Endowment Siena: ARC opened in 1974 and is being renovated Fairfield: AH opened in 1959 and is still the same Siena: ARC "lags behind peer institutions" and is being renovated Fairfield: AH "not up to Division 1 standards" and is still not being renovated Siena: ARC $6 million campaign and plan to renovate Fairfield:: AH "when funds are available" |
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Post by sobro on Apr 3, 2014 15:41:18 GMT -5
Should be posted on the Men's board, as well. If you were the coach, would you stay?
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Post by sobro on Apr 17, 2014 10:37:17 GMT -5
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Post by Stagophile on Aug 17, 2014 12:56:34 GMT -5
I received some unsolicited comments from a non-Alumni friend who lives in Fairfield. To paraphrase, Alumni Hall is an eyesore occupying such a large and prominent footprint on your campus. They should tear it down and make better use of the location. Further confirms my belief that the current band-aid plans for the RecPlex and Alumni Hall are extremely shortsighted. The University should be looking to redevelop the entire location with a signature building.
One other thing that annoys me is the prominent view of the rather large HVAC system on the top of the Kelley Administration Center when entering campus through the main entrance. It was the first thing I noticed on a recent visit and detracts from the beauty of our campus. Most modern designs eliminate these views by making these elements less conspicuous with facades which blend in with the building. I am surprised no one considered this in the design or subsequent to its construction.
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Post by FU73 on Aug 17, 2014 14:14:51 GMT -5
From the SUPPORT page on the Stag website: Modern facilities are essential to keeping a program viable. They affect recruitment of both coaches and student-athletes, and provide a fan and student experience. A facility tells a story about your program. These stories capture the minds and of the young men and women who are considering Fairfield University at their college of choice. When a recruit is deciding which college he or she wishes to attend, facilities rank as one of the top three factors in their decision.
Building and renovating facilities reaffirms Fairfield University’s commitment to its athletic programs in a public setting..... www.fairfieldstags.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=32500&ATCLID=209542886I'm afraid that unless a Rafferty, Lessing, Walsh, Dolan, Quick, Egan or another patron steps up then Alumni Hall is not going to be "renovated" anytime soon. AH in it's most prominent location on campus doesn't seem to be a high priority despite being described as "a bad high school gym" and "not up to Division 1 standards". "A facility tells a story about your program". |
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