Memorial stadium introduces 'Touchdown Club Seating'
Imagine watching Kansas football at Memorial Stadium while sitting in your favorite recliner. It's a reality this fall when the Orange Bowl Champion Jayhawks return to action. Enlarge video
Ah, the spoils of success.
On the heels of a 12-1 season highlighted by an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech - and the consequent rise in excitement about the prospect of Kansas University's 2008 football campaign - KU announced recently that it would be implementing a new outdoor luxury seating section, to be constructed behind the south end zone of Memorial Stadium.
A preview of the university's "Touchdown Club Seating" was offered to fans Monday evening during a three-hour tour held to spark interest in the prospect of on-the-field seating, which will be available next season.
A total of 56 "club recliners" will be sold for $2,500 apiece, while 28 additional "club stools" are individually priced at $2,200. The cost includes complimentary food and drink, easy access to one of 22 flat-screen televisions and an opportunity to purchase the recliners following the completion of the season.
The seating section is similar to those featured in multiple major-league baseball stadiums, according to Kansas associate athletic director Jim Marchiony, who added he was unaware of another college football program that offered the same style of fan seating.
"In the first 15 minutes, someone bought four tickets," said Marchiony, citing the team's recent success as a factor in the seats' attractiveness. "So I think this is going to be a very attractive option."
Indeed, the response Monday was generally positive, as those in attendance cited an unrivaled proximity to the field and the comfort of watching a live game in conditions similar to watching from one's own living room.
"It beats sitting on the bleachers," said Tom Horner, a fan and former Jayhawks football player. "The comfort is a big thing -especially for the older folks."
Guests also were treated to a tour of the soon-to-be-completed Anderson Family Football Complex, the most popular stop of which was the super-sized office of head coach Mark Mangino, which is only slightly smaller than the state of Wyoming and comes complete with a personal bathroom/shower facility.
"Look at that shower!" gushed a gray-haired woman, taking a moment to examine the rest room. "What a great shower!"
The backbone of the evening, however, was the novelty seating. At least 12 seats had been sold as of Monday night, Marchiony said, and the university hopes to sell the remainder of the 84 total seats before the Jayhawks' Aug. 30 season-opener against visiting Florida International.
"I think it appeals to people who just want a different experience at a college football game," Marchiony said. "These 56 people will experience KU football in a way that 49,950 people won't."
¢ Mangino returned to his former hometown of New Castle, Pa., last weekend to the kind of fanfare worthy of a national college football coach of the year.
In addition to taking part in a parade in his honor, Mangino was the featured guest at a local charity golf tournament.
"It's always good to be home," Mangino told the New Castle (Pa.) News. "You get a chance to hang out with people I only see maybe once a year.
"It's been a great weekend," he added. "I've been very fortunate. A lot of people in New Castle have been very kind to me. It's more than I could ever expect."
¢ KU recruiting coordinator Brandon Blaney and University of Miami defensive coordinator Bill Young went head-to-head in a recruiting battle over Riley Spencer, a 6-foot-6, 254-pound offensive tackle from Hesston High, according to Rivals.com. Blaney scored the victory when Hesston chose Kansas over the Hurricanes, Kansas State and Texas Christian.
¢ Kansas Athletics, Inc.'s board of directors has until 5 p.m. Wednesday to vote on a resolution to borrow $45 million from the Kansas Development Finance Authority for a project to make renovations to Allen Fieldhouse, Wagnon Student Center and Parrott Athletics Center.
In an electronic letter, board members were informed that:
1. The prinicipal amount of bonds will not exceed $45 million and is expected to be "around $37 million."
2. The interest rate will not exceed 6 percent and is expected to be close to 5 percent.
3. The term will not exceed 30 years, and the plan calls for a 25-year term on the bonds with "the expectation that they could be paid early as pledges are fulfilled."
Nobody in the athletic department doubts the resolution will pass.
¢ Former Jayhawk football player and current New York Dragons DB Ronnie Amadi will be on the active roster for the wild-card round of the AFL Playoffs, when the Dragons take on the Dallas Desperados at 7:30 p.m. on June 27. With three more victories, his team can earn a trip to New Orleans to play in ArenaBowl XXII on July 27.
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
hilary (anonymous) says…
You've got to be kidding.
fabian_zimbabwe (anonymous) says…
"...according to Kansas associate athletic director Jim Marchiony, who added he was unaware of another college football program that offered the same style of fan seating."Of course no other football program offers the same style of seating. The end zone? That is one of the worst vantage points in the stadium.
Catbacker (anonymous) says…
No kidding...I've never even been willing to pay face-value for crappy end zone seats.
trvlronda (anonymous) says…
Whoo Hoo! My family zone tickets just went up in value. Endzone view AND I get to see the scoreboard. Cost? $350 for the season and with 4 seats...more room than those recliners.
Take_a_letter_Maria (anonymous) says…
Not that I'd be willing to shell out that kind of dough, but these aren't your run of the mill end zone seats. These seats will be closer to the actual field than any other seat in the place. Some of them are recliners. All have access to video screens (to make up for when the action is on the other end of the field) and you get beverage and buffet along with it.
fu7il3 (anonymous) says…
For 2500 dollars, you too can see KU fight its way to a mediocre record. I don't see how they are possibly going to do what they did last year with the schedule they have.
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
I sure don't have enough disposable income!
Gootsie (anonymous) says…
Regardless of the past record and the future record, I find it completely embarassing. It will completely be a "look who's rich enough to afford these crappy seats" contest.
BrianR (anonymous) says…
Football occurs when it is cold outside. Therefore the best place to view it is from the living room sofa.
Gootsie (anonymous) says…
Blue, where do you suppose they go to "dispose" of THEIR "income"? When the drinks flow freely, so do other things.
cms (anonymous) says…
OMG. Nothing says redneck like a barcalounger with a big Jayhawk on it. The Williams Club members that fill the section will be some great people watching. And I predict the space will be a hot spot for 10 year old birthday parties with kids delivered to the stadium in a Hummer limo.
jkilgore (anonymous) says…
So all you critics think it's BAD that KU athletics is rolling in the money? Must be MU posters. or KU IMposters.
Gootsie (anonymous) says…
neep. You're wrong, kilgore! Go to the back of the line.
craigers (anonymous) says…
I don't see the problem some have with this at all. You might not spend the money on this if you had it but if people want to throw money at KU to watch football and have the food and drinks, then why not. The money goes into the athletic program to help build a powerhouse that most people in Kansas would like, unless you are in Manhattan and don't want to get dominated on every sport!! :) If it brings in some good money for the department, then go for it. You have to satisfy some people's egos by this type of seating to get some dough out of them.
missmagoo (anonymous) says…
so basically, these people will have 50,000 people watching them during the game?
KUweatherman (Curtis Lange) says…
That looks so trashy. *shakes head* Why not spend the money on actually completing the bowl shape or installing a larger video board. Something. Anything other than that ridiculousness in the south end zone.
Rowsdower (anonymous) says…
Needs more Jayhawk emblems. I think people might forget what team they are watching....hikeeba
q_ball2kand1 (anonymous) says…
Weatherman.Complete the bowl!.....ouch. Besides, They're not wasting funds on these seats,this set-up will pay for itself the first season easily. ----------------Tickets to KU football are affordable to students and the higher-income bracket. Free viewing spots from campanille hill have been cut back by the scoreboard, the new anderson complex, possibly now these luxury seats too. Seems like the cost of enjoying KU sports is rising with their popularity.
KURocks (anonymous) says…
OMG, when will KU stop the money hungry march. I understand money is crucial to a succesful athletics program, but what about tradition. Allen fieldhouse is nowhere near the atmosphere it was 5yrs ago, now that most of the seats are filled with Johnson county folks and businesses tickets being given away to non-"real fans". It will be interesting when KU football and basketball both have mediocre seasons, and people are dishing out record amounts of cash to hold onto their seats. KU needs to get back to more important issues, like spending all kinds of jack to try and shut down Joe College. What a joke, KU should have no chance in winning that battle unless they get the same jury members that OJ had.
VTHawk (anonymous) says…
I know that endzone seating is normally not wonderful, but the new recliners are amazing. They are perfect for people with $$$ to burn (I.E., not me) that don't want to sit in a box. The atmosphere down on the field is much better. As a bonus, the people have a buffet at booze. Not a terrible deal, especially since they get more points to upgrade basketball tickets...
VTHawk (anonymous) says…
buffet AND booze, excuse me
Professor_Marvel (anonymous) says…
How much more for magic fingers?
ForgotAboutTodd (anonymous) says…
First, those bleachers look ridiculous. Second, I don't get the point of spending that much money to sit at ground level in the endzone. Third, $2200 to sit on a stool and watch most of the game on a TV in front of you? Sounds like I could get a similar experience at a bar for a lot cheaper. Plus, how hot are those seats going to be when it's 110 degrees on the field in late August?Despite all of that I'm sure they will sell out because you should never underestimate the need for people to show they can afford to pay for them.
bmwjhawk (anonymous) says…
Nobody will buy these for personal use. They are marketed to businesses to buy them to give to clients. It's smart and, yes, it takes a lot of money to compete in athletics. Look for other college football teams to install similar setups soon.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
It's wonderful that all the K-Suckers and class nerds could join us on the web today. No need to get your panties in a wad. If you don't want these seats, don't pay for them. Don't be jealous that these people have the money for it. If you want to go to a KU football game and spend your time staring at these people, then you'll be the real loser in this situation.
Catbacker (anonymous) says…
Is that going to be the actual set up...or are those bleacher/riser-things just a tacky, crude mock up to show height, position etc? Also...did anyone consider how freakin' cold these will be in November? Nothing like 3+ hours of watching TV outdoors while facing directly in to the north wind. But...free hotdogs...Brilliant.
oldvet (anonymous) says…
KUw.... the reason we don't have a really huge video board is because my buddy "S" in AZ wouldn't give enough money when the original one was being installed... I know your reading this, "S", and you know its all your fault... :-)
VTHawk (anonymous) says…
Maybe KU can borrow the Royals videoboard after the Royals season ends. At least there will be people in the stands at KU games.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
So you are spending a couple grand on a seat to watch what has traditionally been some uninspired football, and some won't want to kick in the extra $300 to upgrade from a stool to a recliner? Don't they know it is really hard to take a good nap on a stool. I still can't believe KU football did so amazingly well last year. If after one strong year they can get supporters to pay big bucks to sit in the end zone, more power to 'em.
Crossfire (anonymous) says…
Looks like there is at least one 44 hundred dollar patron in the box.
Bone777 (anonymous) says…
I can't wait to get a chance to sit in those seats in a couple of years. After KU's football bubble burst, I can get back to buying tickets from the scalpers at the end of the 1st quarter for $5. Hell to sit in one of those snazzy recliners, next to Doug Compton, I might even pay $10...
JakeHawk (anonymous) says…
Ok, I kind of get the monetary advantages, but from a design standpoint they look like an eye sore. Temporary bleachers with flat screen TV's? That's like putting granite counters in a trailer. Why not make something permanent that looks decent? Probably would get in the way for track, but at least it would look like swanky seating. Reminds me of the temporary south bleachers installed in the years following the '95 Aloha Bowl victory.