Feb. 5, 2012
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF's main colors are black and gold. In Boise, the Broncos use orange and blue. For, Houston, it's red and white. In Dallas, SMU's colors are red, white and blue. But the common color scheme for the newest arrivals to the BIG EAST might be silver and orange. That's what you will find all over the athletic facilities of all these schools in the form of construction barricades.
Even before invitations were handed out, plans to either build, expand or upgrade athletic stadiums, arenas, fields and courts have been in the works. But now that a conference move is no longer a wish, but a reality, some of these construction projects have gone from a wish list, to blueprints to a foreman shouting construction lingo on site.
UCF is just a few years removed from doing something no other athletics program ever did in building a football stadium and basketball arena at the same time. In addition to the construction of its athletic village, Knights fans have seen a constant upgrade in almost every sport in relation to where they practice and play. And the work is not done. Just look at the mad dash to complete the upgrade to Jay Bergman Field in time for the start of a new baseball season next week.
When UCF joins the BIG EAST it is not just bringing a large television market with a big enrollment, the Knights also bring some of the best athletic facilities the conference will offer. But UCF is not the only new member to invest in its future.
In Dallas, for the UCF basketball victory over the weekend at SMU, former UCF athletics director Steve Orsini spoke about the latest plans to upgrade Moody Coliseum, one of the oldest arenas in the country. With $30 million dollars earmarked for the project, the facelift will change the Mustangs basketball program in many ways.
"We will start the construction right after this season and then a second phase will come after next year so all will be done as we head into the BIG EAST," said Orsini. "And there is no question the move to the BIG EAST is a big part of why we were able to secure the money."
SMU already had spent over $60 million in the last five years in upgrades, including its football stadium as well as other sports. And the same is happening in Houston.
The Cougars recently got student approval to increase their athletic fees and that will allow plans to expand and upgrade its football stadium and basketball arena to be fast tracked. Houston's football stadium plans will cost $120 million and another $40 million is planned for its basketball arena.
The same thing is happening at Boise State. With plans in the works before the Broncos accepted the invite to the BIG EAST, things have are now advancing to expand Bronco Stadium to 53,000. In addition to the stadium, Chris Peterson's program has a new $22 million football complex under construction and should be ready to open in 2013.
By the time the Knights, Mustangs, Cougars and Broncos play their first games in the BIG EAST they will feature some of the newest and best stadiums and arenas in the league. The move to the new conference and the projected new television revenue is a big reason school officials became aggressive in their plans to get construction barricades up all over their campus.
Many television consultants who study projected value of television contracts believe the BIG EAST is looking at a deal worth at least $10 million per year per full time member. And some project that with Navy now officially aboard in 2015 and if Air Force chooses to join the television package could stretch to $15 million per team.
Knowing an athletic program might be looking at $100 million over a decade in television revenue means athletic directors can turns dreams to realities in relation to facilities. And do not underestimate the impact facilities and television has on recruiting.
Orlando, Dallas and Houston are rich in high school talent and while each school has gotten their share of local stars, the game is changing. Now UCF, SMU and Houston are leveling the playing field against BCS programs. Now recruits can see new, first class facilities and a television package which will showcase their skills on par with any other league.
So while the Knights, Mustangs, Cougars and Broncos either butt heads now or will in the near future, the newest members of the BIG EAST share in a vision for their programs to plan it, build it and play in it. It's all part of the new BIG EAST which will feature some of the newest and best facilities in the country.
Knight notes and more: Props to the 50 or so UCF fans who were in attendance in Dallas for the game against SMU...If you have not seen the highlights of Isaiah Sykes two key drives for 3-point plays against the Mustangs, find the highlights because it's worth seeing...If Southern Miss is not ranked this week in the college basketball polls then it's just ridiculous. The Golden Eagles have a top-10 RPI and strength of schedule of 38. Donnie Jones's team will head to Hattiesburg after a game with Marshall on Wednesday. That game is kind of interesting, don't you think?...Final thought: Someone at the SMU basketball game asked UCF's director of athletics communications Doug Richards if Marcus Jordan really was Michael's son. Doug gave a polite answer that yes he was. My sarcasm would have taken over and I would have said: "No we just thought we'd go with it until someone called us on that one."
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports on ESPN Radio 1080 in Orlando.