Fans watch the Kansas football spring game from a trial version of the renovated Touchdown Club in the south end zone at Memorial Stadium.
Jerry Jones and the new Cowboys Stadium in Dallas might have the most gaudy luxury viewing area in football, but Kansas University is closing in.
The best part about KU’s version of the luxury deck is that fans can actually watch the game from it, unlike the overflow area at Cowboys Stadium.
This season, KU’s Touchdown Club will receive a facelift that should provide one of the most unique gameday viewing opportunities in the Big 12 Conference, if not the country.
Instead of just providing covered recliners and stools in the south end zone as has been the case for the past two seasons, the area below the giant, state-of-the-art scoreboard at Memorial Stadium now will feature a 60-by-20-foot enclosed, glass suite.
A trial version of the new addition was up for the spring game in April. It featured two separate 20-by-30 suites situated side-by-side and was taken down before graduation in May. By the time the season rolls around, the completed version will be finished and available to anybody who wants to shell out the dough to enjoy their games in style.
“It’s kind of like a one-stop shop for everything you could want at a football game,” said Banks Floodman, KU’s assistant athletic director for development. “And it’s very luxurious. That’s really the exciting new aspect of it this year, that new indoor suite. If it starts raining and people want to get out of the elements, they can go in there and watch the football game.”
During the first two years of its existence, the Touchdown Club delivered about like the team on the field. During its first season, in 2009, it was sold out and packed for nearly every game. Last year, interest dwindled as the Jayhawks struggled to a 3-9 record.
Despite the parallels between the team’s performance and the Touchdown Club’s attendance, Floodman said the university would’ve upgraded the section anyway.
“Too often people get complacent and don’t make changes, and that’s when it starts to go bad,” he said. “I think if you dress it up a little more and create some new things, it excites people again. I want to get people in there, and I want to get people fired up, and what a great place to do it.”
The new look is not the only thing about the Touchdown Club that’s changing. Prices are dropping, too.
In the past, the recliner seats ran $2,650 each for a season ticket. This year, they’re down to $1,800 for the season. The cost to reserve the sport stools also has dropped, from $1,500 to $1,200. New to the area this season, thanks to the luxury suite that will sit behind and above the actual seats, is a standing-room-only option, which can be purchased at a price of $1,000 for the season.
Included in all three prices are all-you-can-eat food catered by 23rd Street Brewery and Abuelos, all-you-can-drink beverages, which includes soda, water, beer and wine, private restrooms and a full-time wait staff.
Floodman said most of the feedback he had received about why interest in the new seating area dipped last season was tied to the notion that it’s not a great place to watch the game from.
“I think the misconception about the Touchdown Club is that because it’s in the end zone, the sight lines aren’t that good,” he said. “To be honest with you, I think the south end zone, any end zone, is a phenomenal place to watch a game, especially because you’re that close. Fifty percent of the time, you have the ball right in front of you with someone getting ready to score in front of you, and then the other 50 percent of the time, the individuals in this area are gonna be the first ones to see the play develop. It’s kind of neat to watch that hole open up and be able to see that before anyone else.”
Floodman said a few final kinks currently were being worked out and that the final version would be ready by the time two-a-day practices start in August.
“It’s definitely gonna be ready and rockin’ and rollin’ by that first game,” he said.
KU opens the season Sept. 3 against McNeese State at Memorial Stadium.
Comments
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KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…
This is all fine and dandy but the bottom line is you must put a winning product on the field. I am hopeful Gill can do that this year.
oldvet (anonymous) says…
A nice place to watch 3 wins... maybe 4, with luck.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
number1jayhawker (anonymous) replies…
Cool it sparky. KU Athletics is paying for this, not the University. You aren't paying a dime. The money is from revenus earned by the Athletic dept, just like any private company.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
mae (anonymous) says…
I think what he means is half the time the game is there and half the time free beer and wine. No fan in their right mind would want anything but the 50yd line.
fan4kufootball (anonymous) replies…
100% agree!
squawkhawk (anonymous) says…
What a Joke! More fodder for the competition to throw in our faces. Just who do we (KU) think we are? I guess if you can't compete on the field you might as well try to compete in the stands. Honestly, I'd rather see a better product on the field. More smoke and mirrors from KU athletics.
doc1 (anonymous) says…
As being an ex-football coach in the collegiate level I'm telling you a big recruiting factor is facilities. When your facilities are nice kids will want to play for you. This is just a small building block in the whole picture. I'm glad they are putting so much effort into the football program. One day it will all pay off with a larger football experience. More tax revenue, visitors, local business flourishing ect ect ect. Sports = Prosperity for the whole community.
Jayhawk1963 (anonymous) says…
Gee, it could be kind of embarrassing when the team doesn't score any touchdowns for the Touchdown Club....
kuguardgrl13 (anonymous) says…
At least they're not trying to resurrect mangino's grid iron club.... I can respect small upgrades to our stadium. Memorial has been around a long time and is quite small compared to other Division I stadiums (Ohio State, anyone?). I think the "build it, and they will come" statement works quite well here.
And to counter distant_voice: Anything athletics does as far as building or purchases is completely self-funded through ticket sales and other revenues. The university provides very little if any money, so don't worry about your tax dollars.
fan4kufootball (anonymous) replies…
I thought the grid iron club was a Perkins things - I could be wrong.
mondojeepin (anonymous) says…
Can someone explain the loophole that allows for the sale of beer and wine in the Touchdown Club?
KRichards (anonymous) replies…
The same one that allows it in the Press Box/ Suites......$$$$$
thuja (anonymous) says…
“Too often people get complacent and don’t make changes, and that’s when it starts to go bad,” he said. “I think if you dress it up a little more and create some new things, it excites people again."
This can only mean that the thing in question was shallow and lacking substance in the first place.
Timeless things are timeless from the beginning, just as they are.
Kontum1972 (anonymous) says…
will there be female servers?
Brave21Hawk (anonymous) says…
You might as well stay at home and watch it on TV because you'll have to watch the TV screens anyway. You're not high enough to tell how far a pass is traveling in the air or how far Simms is running on the sweep. Try it sometime and you'll know exactly what I mean.
squawkhawk (anonymous) says…
What next, a Hooters Restaurant?
CWGOKU (anonymous) says…
A Hooters would be great! At least there would be something to watch.
"A nice place to watch 3 wins... maybe 4, with luck", says Oldvet... I think that is optomistic.
I say 2 wins tops.
boxers_or_briefs (anonymous) replies…
Fire Gill!!
jukieg (anonymous) says…
The end zone is a worthless place to sit. I know it would be expensive, but they need to lower the field and take out the track moving the stands closer to the field. We would increase capacity and give fans a better game viewing experience. We are one of three BCS schools with a track. That is terrible and embarrassing. That is what needs to change.
KRichards (anonymous) replies…
Are you dense? The stadium is only 2/3 full on a good day. Why add seats to see a piece of crap product?
jeffwbenson (anonymous) says…
Outrageous that Abuelos is selected as a caterer. They are located in Missouri!!! Closest location is north of the river, north KCMO in Zona Rosa... 8541 NW Prairie View Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153... Unless they are bringing the stuff up from Wichita, the next closest location.
Guess there is no mexican food between the stadium and the KCI area. I heard of Lawrence being Overland Park West, but being Parkville Southwest is a little extreme.
Must be some sweet alumni connection on this deal.
justanotherface (anonymous) replies…
No, it's outrageous Lawrence doesn't have an Abuelos. It's the BEST mexican food in the area.
jeffwbenson (anonymous) replies…
Yep, just like KU to cart over food from Missouri and support a Missouri business that pays taxes that support mizzou. Eat them nachos, watch some KU football and support MIZZOU at the same time!
When did Zona Rosa and North KCMO become part of the Lawrence area?
Newell_Post (anonymous) says…
What's a "McNeese State"? It sounds like a mental disorder.
murphy59 (anonymous) replies…
Dunno what it is, but it'll probably end up as a big "L" on our schedule.
KU_Dude (anonymous) says…
Those seats are perfect for people that leave early.