Dooley’s Dozen: 12 improvements Ben Hill Griffin Stadium needs
It has been a hot topic in Gainesville whether on radio shows or sports bars or even the kids’ recitals.
Florida is giving the Swamp a facelift and there are Gator fans who fear the new look will be more like Mickey Rourke and less like Dolly Parton.
The price tag is high at $400 million but that price is only going to get higher as this starts to unfold.
I have been asked about building a whole new stadium at a different site. Take that $400 million and double it. Then double it again. That probably would be the ballpark to start from scratch.
So, over the next few years, we’re going to see a lot of tall cranes on Stadium and Gale. The latest Dooley’s Dozen gives you the 12 things I’d like to see done to spruce up the place.
Make better concourses, but not too good
I know that Scott Stricklin talked on my podcast and on WRUF about making the concourse areas bigger (by gutting a bunch of office space) and more of a comfortable area. But please do not do what they did in basketball where the fans are in a buffet line instead of bringing the noise.
Give the greatest Gators their due
There are some banners that hang and we all know about the Ring of Honor. But Florida could do a better job of honoring its history while still emphasizing the present. I would try to use it as an advantage, too, on NIL where players could have huge banners at the entrances like they do in baseball stadiums.
Speaking of which, the entrances
Stricklin knows it has been a problem in this age of digital tickets to get the fans into the stadium right before kickoff. There has to be a more efficient way which should include more entrances and more people taking tickets. The Utah game was a bottleneck last year.
Leave the walls alone
This isn’t something they should do but something that should be left untouched. Those orange walls with sayings such as “HERE … COME THE GATORS” on them and a place for the “Work ‘Em Silly” sign are a part of this stadium’s tradition that should not be messed with.
Make it more senior friendly
On behalf of all of the people with artificial joints out there, just putting handrails in would be huge. The older this fan base gets, the more should be done to make seniors comfortable in the stadium. I have no doubt that these issues are going to be addressed.
Make the student section special
Stricklin did address this on Steve Russell’s show and I started thinking about how you really can’t identify where the student section starts and finishes. It’s just spread out. Make it a force and put it in a place where it can affect the game. If you get more volume out of the students, cutting back the capacity will be a non-factor.
Figure out the Sunshine Seats
Every time the overhead shot of the Swamp comes at you there is always that sea of empty seats up there, even for games that are sellouts. Put a canopy up there for shade and a concession stand or two to make those special seats instead of the ones nobody could give away.
And while you’re supplying the shade...
We all know how brutal it can be in the first month of the season. I would not be happy with a dome at all, but we’ve seen new stadiums find ways to have shade except on the field. I approve of this message.
Since we’re asking for stuff, lower concession prices?
I just remember when the Falcons moved to Mercedes Benz Stadium and lowered all of the prices on food and drinks. They had the highest gross of any NFL team. When you’re paying very high get-in prices, you shouldn’t have to take out a loan for a beer and a dog.
Have a discount section
There are people out there who would love to go to one game in their lifetimes. That section could be offered reasonable tickets for a couple of games on the condition they are loud as heck.
Do something unique
Well, the idea of a pool in the stadium has been taken. But there are some great minds working on this and I know they can come up with something. My idea is to make the tunnel where the Gators come out a giant alligator head that breathes fire.
Make the press box better
The Norm Carlson Press Box is fine and certainly a nice place to hold press conferences. But it could be better. I know you don’t care about the media, but the press box is the first thing the national media sees. Also, I want “Move Back, You Suck” returned as a cheer.
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