My one complaint with BDS -- echoed by Paul Gattis

[AndyBama]

As beautiful as Bryant-Denny is, I'm sad to say that the ugly chain link fence that lines the field will stand for at least another season. Until Gattis blogged on the topic, I was under the impression that no one else cared or even noticed it.

Millions of dollars has been poured into BDS, making it the spectacle of college football stadiums. Massive recruiting lounges, 85 skyboxes, three video scoreboards, the longest stretching ribbon board in any outdoor stadium in the nation, and a chain link fence that many high schools wouldn't claim. We're wearing a black tuxedo with brown shoes...

There has to be something that can replace this sore thumb. The below are some shots of the renovated track facility. It looks as if they have evenly spaced, 6 ft brick columns with iron fencing. Why does track and field get a iron gate when football, the cash cow of athletics, gets stuck with a fence?

Don't hesitate to give Coach Moore's office a call or send a letter concerning this subject. This is something that definitely needs attention.

One of my favorite sports subjects to discuss is stadiums. I'm a stadium buff, just love to compare and contrast different stadiums, what makes them good and what makes them bad and what makes them special.

And before we go any further, I'll quickly speak up and say that Bryant-Denny is a spectacular venue for college football and the new addition in the north end zone -- while grandiose -- was well done and has a presence now unlike any college stadium I've ever seen. But what I don't understand is with all the attention paid to so many details, can't something be done with that cheap-looking chain-link fence that runs behind both benches? How about some hedges? How about a mesh fence painted crimson and white? How about anything else than what is there?

Crimson Chatter - 7/06/07

 

[jeremy]

this thread reeks of off-season-ness.

 

[WRhodesTider]

I agree that something should be done with the fence. The other thing that I would like to have done is to totally upgrade the areas under the lower stands. I'm not talking about a new restroom here or there, a fresh coat of paint and some new lights. Unfortunately, none of what I want done brings in any new revenue so we may be stuck.

 

[AndyBama]

this thread reeks of off-season-ness.

That eyesore chain link fence reeks of ugliness and runs counter to the multi-million dollar renovation project.

 

[Bama-94-00]

That eyesore chain link fence reeks of ugliness and runs counter to the multi-million dollar renovation project.

Got that the first time. Not everybody agrees though..

 

[BocaLance]

Ummm ...uhhh...well, if Bama would just wear the white helmets and red pants once in a blue moon, I could probably overlook the chain link fence thing. Wow, it must be mid-July.

We're running out of stuff to beat into the turf ... the poorly maintained brownish turf at BD, that is. Oh, man, arena football was looking good to me today on TV.

 

[silentsam74]

We're running out of stuff to beat into the turf ... the poorly maintained brownish turf at BD, that is. Oh, man, arena football was looking good to me today on TV.

It sure was. Especially the first game that went to the wire. It seemed like those guy are still in college rather than in a pro league. (May have to do with the fact they arent playing for the money since they dont make a lot.) Maximum effort on every play. No quit until the clock is 00:00. Not a half bad little football knock off they have.

 

[SoldierForTide]

Never even noticed it...

 

[AndyBama]

Got that the first time. Not everybody agrees though..

You must be in the chain link fence business...

Seriously, surely you see room for improvement.

 

[jps1983]

this thread reeks of off-season-ness.

yep; at least fall camp is right around the corner. I can't wait to see the analysis of CNS' every in-game decision. I'm sure i will be amused for a while. less than 2 months to kickoff! RTR!!

 

[BamaMoon]

Andy,

I think it is a legitimate point. I've noticed it before and completely agree.

 

[alextupelo]

Georgia has possibly one of the best looking SEC stadiums outside of Bryant Denny of course, hides their chain link fence with the famous hedges, instead of replacing the fence. Is there a way of simply hide the it?

 

[Cox036]

IMO the huge white walls in the south endzone need to be dona away with. Put a brick facade over it giving a cleaner look. It looks horrible on television....

Regarding the chain link fence. That should be banned from anywhere on campus. it is ugly and does our university a dis-service.

 

[Bama-94-00]

You must be in the chain link fence business...

Seriously, surely you see room for improvement.

Nope. I'd be happy with a new chain link fence. But it's not near my line of sight.

Asking me again isn't magically going to get me change my mind.

 

[specialkpntbl]

never really thought about it before, but it does bring up a good point.

Down with the chain link!!! :biggrin2::biggrin2:

 

[Bama 13-0]

We could plant a hedge of pyracantha and completely do away with the fence. Any frat boy will try only 1 time to get through it, then NEVER again!

 

[Boo Radley]

I spoke with Thad Turnipseed (Athletic Facilities Director) before the start of last season about any further plans for BDS. I specifically mentioned the chain link fence after seeing what the Barners did to replace their fence around . . . cough, cough . . . "Pat Dye Field." He said that replacing the BDS fence was in the master plan, but wouldn't be an immediate project.

My guess is that the south endzone expansion will take priority if ticket demands remain as high as this year.

It may also have have something to do with the proximity of the fence to the endzones. An iron fence would look great, but player safety might be a concern. I remember when Keith Brown went down after chasing a pass and colliding with the fence in the northwest corner of the endzone.