What would YOU do?

[All-American]

The arena renovations thread got me thinking. I have a hypothetical to present:

One day, you get a phone call from Tom Holmoe. He has just been contacted by representatives of five of the wealthiest men in the world, who have expressed their interest in supporting BYU athletics in any way possible. Essentially, they have offered to write a blank check to fund any project BYU can think up, with the one condition that it be relatively cost effective. The resources are unlimited, provided they are put to good use.

Tom wants to know what BYU should do with it.

Thoughts?

[Sizzle]

The arena renovations thread got me thinking. I have a hypothetical to present:

One day, you get a phone call from Tom Holmoe. He has just been contacted by representatives of five of the wealthiest men in the world, who have expressed their interest in supporting BYU athletics in any way possible. Essentially, they have offered to write a blank check to fund any project BYU can think up, with the one condition that it be relatively cost effective. The resources are unlimited, provided they are put to good use.

Tom wants to know what BYU should do with it.

Thoughts?

It would have to be something that gives BYU a clear competitive advantage, something that other schools couldn't offer. Moving LA closer to Provo isn't realistic. Also, building enough housing to turn Provo into one of the 5 largest cities west of the Mississippi probably wouldn't be on their list either. Genetic cloning of BYU's top past players would probably help us build a solid team, but probably not what you are looking for.

Seriously though, I don't think Stadium expansion is the answer, at least not now. I think the biggest thing would be a push to get into a BCS conference. So maybe what they could do is pool their funds together and create an "unofficial" playoff system at the end of the year and invite the top 7 teams it feels worthy and the Mountain West champ. Of course, some teams will probably decline offers, but you move down the line until you fill all 8 slots. By pooling their money, they could offer payouts bigger than the BCS offers to try and lure schools into playing in the tourney. Also, they could supplement some of/the majority of the payout with ticket and concession sales, advertising revenue, etc.

Maybe that type of thing isn't in the cost effective category, but it would spur change, and, since the MWC Champ is automatically in (at least for now) it gives BYU (and the rest of the MWC Schools) an advantage.

[RC Vikings]

I think you could use Knight at Oregon or Pickins at Oklahoma State to see what works and what doesn't work and go from their.

[Surfah]

Buy out the Honor Code.

[TripletDaddy]

Does BYU have a problem with its facilities? I have never really heard that complaint.....they have a really nice (and new) indoor practice facility, I assume they upgraded their weight training facility in the process, they built the Legacy Hall for fans, and the stadium still looks fairly new.

I guess if I could choose anything, it would be to close the corners at LES. As a fan, I don't care about the addition of luxury boxes, but if the blank check is there, might as well add those, too. Except the added height would probably obstruct some of what is one of the best views in all of college football...at least from the West stands. There is no view from the East stands.

Perhaps someone like Lunch could lend some insight into what a Div 1 recruit is looking for (in terms of facilities) when he trips to a school. Does BYU lack anything right now?

I am assuming the same goes for Utah. While RES is smaller, it looks basically like a new venue due to the recent Olympic renovations. I haven't heard huge rumblings about the need for upgrades there, either, but I don't really follow them as closely. Does the U have a large indoor practice facility? How is their weight room?

I think I recall reading somewhere years ago that Nebraska's weight room is some sort of epic sight to behold. I think it was Nebraska. I guess that is a huge deal to recruits.

[BoylenOver]

We updated the indoor facility when Urban was here. Alex Smith donated a huge chunk of change to renovatethe weight room in '06, and I want to say it underwent another round this offseason. Replacing the turf was a moderate step, as it's now solely football and not for futbol, too. There's always hopes and dreams for expansion, and our locker rooms at RES need serious work, but our facilities are top-notch.

[Mr. Crimson]

The arena renovations thread got me thinking. I have a hypothetical to present:

One day, you get a phone call from Tom Holmoe. He has just been contacted by representatives of five of the wealthiest men in the world, who have expressed their interest in supporting BYU athletics in any way possible. Essentially, they have offered to write a blank check to fund any project BYU can think up, with the one condition that it be relatively cost effective. The resources are unlimited, provided they are put to good use.

Tom wants to know what BYU should do with it.

Thoughts?

I would clearly say Mr. Holmoe why in the hell are you calling me I'm a Utah fan.

[RockyBalboa]

LES doesn't need an overhaul, but a few changes here and there to make it look more "aesthetically" pleasing would be a nice touch.

The Marriott Center while when packed is a very loud and fun atmosphere simply needs to be restructured and downsized.

The baseball diamond there, Miller Park is actually really nice,,,no changes need to be made there.

The IPF is one of the nicer facilities of it's kind in the country, so again no worries there.

[FMCoug]

LES doesn't need an overhaul, but a few changes here and there to make it look more "aesthetically" pleasing would be a nice touch.

The Marriott Center while when packed is a very loud and fun atmosphere simply needs to be restructured and downsized.

The baseball diamond there, Miller Park is actually really nice,,,no changes need to be made there.

The IPF is one of the nicer facilities of it's kind in the country, so again no worries there.

Given a blank check I would at least get rid of the orange seats in the MC.

[All-American]

Why downsize the Marriott Center? I can understand not wanting to put in seats that won't be used when building the arena, but now that they're there, why the need to take them out?

Also, what changes would you make to LES?

[Mr. Crimson]

Why downsize the Marriott Center? I can understand not wanting to put in seats that won't be used when building the arena, but now that they're there, why the need to take them out?

Also, what changes would you make to LES?

I believe Utah should build a new arena that seats about 11,000 and I think BYU would benefit from a smaller arena as well because I think both buildings aren't very loud until they get near capacity which lately only happens when we play each other or a really big name.

[Colly Wolly]

Buy out the Honor Code.

Seconded.

[BoylenOver]

I believe Utah should build a new arena that seats about 11,000 and I think BYU would benefit from a smaller arena as well because I think both buildings aren't very loud until they get near capacity which lately only happens when we play each other or a really big name.

To think that Cameron only seats 10k when they could probably double capacity and still be fine tells me both in-state schools could afford to reduce capacity when the next renovation comes around.

[The_Tick]

Build a Medical school.

That way the Pac 10 folks wouldn't be able to use the excuse that we aren't research schools.

It would benefit athletics, it would benefit the community, and it would benefit the world.

[DU Ute]

Build a Medical school.

That way the Pac 10 folks wouldn't be able to use the excuse that we aren't research schools.

It would benefit athletics, it would benefit the community, and it would benefit the world.

You mean your campus?