The Orange Bowl.

[TommyMac]

The stadium, not the game. With all the excitement over our stadium expansion which will give us arguably the best on campus stadium in the country. I started thinking about other schools and their stadiums which led me to the Orange Bowl.

If you've ever been there, you'll understand what I'm about to say. To be blunt, the OB is a huge piece of crap. I went down there in 1974 for our game with Miami and couldn't believe it was the same place I'd been seeing on TV. It was filthy, run-down and in a crap-hole of a neighborhood and that was 32 years ago. It almost makes me feel sorry for the Canes, having to play their home games in such a dump. Probably helps to explain their lousy attendence except when they play big-time teams.

I can't see how Miami can recruit as well as they do with the recruits knowing they'll be playing in such an eyesore. You'd think Miami would have their own, on-campus stadium, wouldn't you? How can a big-time program not have their own stadium. It's gotta cost the Canes a lot of money, having to split the gate with the city. They probably have a sweetheart deal to play there, otherwise, why would they?

Any of y'all ever been to the OB?

 

[BamaFanKyle]

I've never been there, but wow...what a piece of crap lol

 

[DiamondDust]

I doubt playing in the Orange Bowl is one of the main cards used when Miami recruits. I'm pretty sure they put all their stock in "Look, you get to live in Miami and play for a program that's a virtual pipeline to the NFL." Like it or not, that'll play a huge role in getting kids to come to their school.

I doubt Miami will ever get an on-campus stadium basically because of the problems Miami has had with the Marlins wanting a new stadium. I wouldn't be shocked if sometime down the line the Hurricanes end up at Dolphin Stadium, although I doubt they'd ever fill it.

Long story short: Miami really doesn't need a new stadium to bring in talented players.

 

[TommyMac]

Seems like eventually it would kill their chances of scheduling home and homes with other big time teams. It seems like the City of Miami would want to do something about it. They could just look to Birmingham and Legion Field to see what the consequences are.

 

[TerryP]

Seems like eventually it would kill their chances of scheduling home and homes with other big time teams. It seems like the City of Miami would want to do something about it. They could just look to Birmingham and Legion Field to see what the consequences are.

Two thoughts on this...

One.

I wonder how many renovations/upgrades have been done through the years to the locker rooms? If they are in good shape...how the outside of the stadium means little to the players; I would think.

Two.

Does Miami ever play in Pro-Player Stadium?

 

[AndyBama]

Yes, the Orange Bowl has gone down. It's really ticked off my dad to see this because....

My father grew up in Miami and was a vendor for the Hurricane games when he was a child. He tells me of jumping the fence on games that he wasn't scheduled to work so that he could see the 'Canes play. Also, he used to set down his tray of Cokes so that he could sit in a seat and watch the game. :biggrin2:

But no, in case you are wondering, I'm not as devious as my dad!

 

[Alanbama27]

I lived in South Florida for a few years in the early mid 90's and the Orange Bowl was a piece of dirt then and it continues to be! It is in an area of town similar to Legion Field, which is to say that it is not a nice area and the only reason it doesn't get torn down is because "it is the Orange Bowl".

With that said, Pro Player Stadium is literally 30-45 minutes away and is beautiful, but for those who live in Miami, it would be a chore to get them to commute! We're not talking about B'ham to T'town folks, this is a busy area and although it would be great to move everything to Pro Player, I don't see it happening. It is a bit surprising that the Orange Bowl hasn't been renovated as it needs it badly...however, there is nothing they can do about the area of town.

 

[deliveryman35]

Tommy's right. The stadium, even though it has a rich, long history, is basically a dump. I went to the famous OU/Miami game back in 1986 when Vinny Testaverde ripped the Sooners and basically wrapped up the Heisman that year in September and I was shocked. I'm surprised the 'Canes haven't moved to PPS by now...

 

[DiamondDust]

With that said, Pro Player Stadium is literally 30-45 minutes away and is beautiful, but for those who live in Miami, it would be a chore to get them to commute! We're not talking about B'ham to T'town folks, this is a busy area and although it would be great to move everything to Pro Player, I don't see it happening. It is a bit surprising that the Orange Bowl hasn't been renovated as it needs it badly...however, there is nothing they can do about the area of town.

I agree. You ever watch the beginning of a Miami Heat home game? The arena is practically empty, and that's in downtown Miami. Miami is not a good sports town in that the community really doesn't support the teams that well, outside of the Dolphins. I seriously doubt the local Miami Hurricane fans commuting all the way to Dolphin Stadium(It's no longer Pro Player).

 

[bamatex82]

Miami is one of those commuter schools. Not a huge following of loyal alumni. It is a wonder that Schnellenberger (sp?) was able to put them on the map and that Miami has seemingly stayed near the top ever since. Defies logic to me. I guess bikini clad women at the beach are a pretty big draw for a teenage boy. :wink: That's the only reason I can think of for their success.

 

[DiamondDust]

Miami is one of those commuter schools. Not a huge following of loyal alumni. It is a wonder that Schnellenberger (sp?) was able to put them on the map and that Miami has seemingly stayed near the top ever since. Defies logic to me. I guess bikini clad women at the beach are a pretty big draw for a teenage boy. :wink: That's the only reason I can think of for their success.

That's pretty much it... and the fact that Miami has had a huge recent track record of getting kids to the NFL. Fans or no fans in the stadium, that is huge for a lot of people wanting to play football.

 

[OrleansDawg]

I went to Peyton Manning's last college game where he lost to NU in the Orange Bowl and I never want to return.

It was a terrible, terrible stadium and trashy all around