TBA Renovations??

[BigTimeVols]

Does anyone have an update on what Danny White is planning for TBA renovations?

I heard from someone in the Athletic Department that the focus might be on adding more premium seating, but it still seems to be under wraps.

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

From March:

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees earmarked an estimated $85 million, pending approval by the state legislature, to renovate the arena and the surrounding area as Food City Center becomes a hot spot for major concerts.

The improvements have been in the works since since Food City signed the 10-year, $20 million naming rights deal, announced in August.

That money, UT told Knox News last year, would help fund fan experience upgrades, new club amenities, updates to the Ray Mears Room, a new center-hung video board and a new modernized exterior.

University of Tennessee plans $85M makeover for Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I’d like to see that pedestrian bridge across the river get funded and built. The northern end would be at the top of the TBA-FCC western ramp.

 

[oldaaucoach]

I really hope they can put more (loud) student seating close to the court.

 

[joevols89]

I really hope they can put more (loud) student seating close to the court.

Will never happen. Danny claimed last year they improved it over what it previously was when they moved students under both baskets.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I really hope they can put more (loud) student seating close to the court.

It really doesn’t matter that much. The TBA is already a huge advantage for the home team. There was even a perfect home record a time or two recently.

 

[oldaaucoach]

It really doesn’t matter that much. The TBA is already a huge advantage for the home team. There was even a perfect home record a time or two recently.

Full disclosure: I've never been to a game at TBA, and I am not criticizing UT fans. I am thinking about student seating in terms of recruiting and what it looks like specifically on TV. When I watch a televised game at Duke, Gonzaga, Auburn, Bama, or others, I am amazed at how loud the students are and how much they seem a part of the game. I never see or hear the student "crazies" at TBA during televised games. Behind-the-basket seating for students is OK but on TV you rarely see them. Races are won by small margins. I have to wonder if we miss out on some top-level recruits because they don't see the student courtside enthusiasm on TV either.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Full disclosure: I've never been to a game at TBA, and I am not criticizing UT fans. I am thinking about student seating in terms of recruiting and what it looks like specifically on TV. When I watch a televised game at Duke, Gonzaga, Auburn, Bama, or others, I am amazed at how loud the students are and how much they seem a part of the game. I never see or hear the student "crazies" at TBA during televised games. Behind-the-basket seating for students is OK but on TV you rarely see them. Races are won by small margins. I have to wonder if we miss out on some top-level recruits because they don't see the student courtside enthusiasm on TV either.

I’ve attended games when the crowd noise sounded like the roof was about to be blown off of the building. You had to yell to talk to the person you’re sitting next to. Then I’d watch it later on TV and it seemed kind of quiet - nothing like what I had just witnessed in person. The director can mix the TV audio to distort reality. ESPN loves Duke and can turn the less than 10,000 crowd noise up to 11.

 

[Volfan1000]

From March:



University of Tennessee plans $85M makeover for Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

It seems like some of that Pilot money might be used to help cover Food City Center upgrades.

 

[Ghost of Archvol]

It seems like some of that Pilot money might be used to help cover Food City Center upgrades.

I hope there are some exterior facade improvements. Interior looks pretty good to me. The outside has the same exterior beauty of an insulated, cladded field erected tank.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I hope there are some exterior facade improvements. Interior looks pretty good to me. The outside has the same exterior beauty of an insulated, cladded field erected tank.

I wish they would fix the exterior façades of a lot of buildings on the UT campus. The Q-Bert Hodges library, for instance. Thompson Boling. And just knock down McClung tower/humanities and start over.

 

[EasternVol]

It seems like some of that Pilot money might be used to help cover Food City Center upgrades.

Pilot might not go along with that.