1:55 The lights resemble wheat. That’s why they are shaped like that. They are paying tribute to a tradition called “Waving the Wheat” which is a tradition where fans “wave the wheat” with their hands when KU scores a touchdown or wins a game. Those lights I’ve heard might light up a certain way when they do score a touchdown and when fans engage in the tradition. I think from that perspective, it’s pretty cool. It’s weird looking at first for sure, but it seems that every design in the renovations has its own purpose.
Interesting "tradition" that NOBODY knows.....but I saw that wind had been calculated into the architectural design. There are a few stadiums around the world that have not thought about that since high wind and gusts are rare to those areas, but when they happen those structures feel it! Not that there would be a danger of collapse but fans there during those events did get terrified! Relax. The "experts" said it will be all right.....there isn't expected to be any major disaster ever again. The Gubbermint is in control.
As a native Kansan. I immediately saw what they were going for and like it. I can see how someone not familiar with KS wouldn't see it... it is pretty different... but to me, I like it. Good update on the stadium though!
@@josephcernansky1794 hmmmm... Happens every Basketball game after a win along with the rock chalk chant and after Every TD in football (that has unfortunately been rare the last 10 years.) and I'm guessing you probably aren't a Kansas Fan anyway. Still Every school has traditions that NOBODY knows outside that school. It wasn't until EA NCAA football 2010 (?) that I learned what "Dot the Eye" was and a random kid from Clemson who I played Xbox with *HAD* to teach me about "Howards rock" and how dumb those traditions are. I went to UNLV I'm sure you don't know about the Insufferable "REBELS" chant. But now because this stadium you know about it and anyone who sees KU on TV will know also. Not bad branding by the AD. As for wind, considering Lawrence is smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley I'm guessing they took that into account. Allegedly they can potentially have awning applied later. Who knows how that would work.
As a KU fan who has been going to games since probably the 1987 season, I can say this is long overdue. There were a couple initiatives to build suites or do a renovation in 2009 and then again about five years ago, but neither came to fruition because the funding was never there. In hindsight, I'm glad those never happened, because they were just band-aids on what was a terrible stadium. This will be a complete tear-down and rebuild, which we're all happy to see. Sounds like the work on phase 1 will begin immediately after this season in late November/early December. While the work is going on, the west and north sides of the stadium will not be in use next season. So essentially the only seating available next season will be the east side stands, which I'd give a ballpark estimate to be about 18k seats.
Aye man you put in a lot of work and you make a lot of videos so I just want to thank you for all the effort you put in to give us something to watch man I appreciate you
I played in Memorial Stadium decades ago, albeit as a Jayhawk opponent --- that old stadium just reeked of 'history' --- it was thick. You could feel the presence of guys like Gayle Sayers, John Riggins, Nolan Cromwell, when you took the field there. A new one is needed, but that old stadium is one of the last of an era ---- you know, Michigan stadium, Notre Dame stadium, USC stadium ....
When Oregon State did the renovation to Reser Stadium, I thought about other Power 5 schools that would do radical upgrades to improve their programs. I thought University of Kansas had the worst stadium in the Power 5 where if you're going to compete in the play for pay NIL-era, you need the best facility. The first renderings of the renovation plans looked like a modern mid-tier stadium. The recent renovations look like Kansas wants to contend with other Power 5 schools. I can't wait until Memphis future renovations if Liberty Memorial Stadium is a Power 5 quality facility.
South Carolina, my dad's alma mater, is planning a $1 billion renovation. A portion will go toward stadium improvements such as luxury suites, seats, aisle space, concourses, concessions, rest rooms, and parking. They also want to improve campus facilities and further develope the land outside the stadium.
They certainly need to upgrade their football stadium and their other athletic facilities if they're going to get better players and have continued success in football.
The lights will also be able to do a light show like turn off and on change colors ect. KU is going to be a team to watch in the future Coach Leipold is the man to do it!
The renderings look fantastic. However, I think lowering the seating capacity is a huge mistake. If they are going to all of this trouble and expense, I think the seating capacity should have been the same or preferably higher. When Oklahoma State did their new stadium, the original one was pretty small but they made it bigger. Design is very nice though. Two steps forward and two steps back.
Kind of reminds me of the Baylor program before their stadium. They were absolute ass for decades and then they got a new much needed modern stadium and immediately became a very decent football program. Could see that happening here
Before the debacle of the 10s decade, Kansas had an all time winning record. The University of Kansas is a magical place. If you aren’t from here, you don’t know. How do you think we were 9-0 in basketball vs. Duke, Kentucky, and UNC
You should do NMSU Both the basketball and football stadiums are going through some renovations right now And I think that there might be future ones as well
It looks fantastic but im also just a biased Jayhawks fan. Also I just wanted to say this would never have happened with Leipold he has brought our football program to life.
When Lance renewed his contract he put a clause in it saying he could quit if they didn’t invest in the football facility’s and stadium. Super smart by him and KU to do that because now KU can force the hand of the boosters to invest or risk our program going back to the worst in the country.
@@michaelhart6318that’s true but our mascot is still a mythical bird so he’s not wrong. From what everyone is saying it’s suppose to look like wheat poking over the stadium.
@@TechnoSinister im not salty lol look at their football records for the past 5 seasons. It just so happens they have a better basketball program than Texas
Noooo, it’ll be cool and unique but remember the final product never looks as good as the CGI renders. As a KU fan though I’m just glad we will finally have a modern stadium!
From what I understand this stadium will be funded partially through taxpayers money instead of private funds which all other state universities have to adhere to. Taxpayers money should not be spent on extracurricular programs but rather educational needs which I’m sure that there is plenty of other ways to spend grant money that would benefit those students educationally.
Kansas is one of the top universities in the world to become a doctor and it already has places for doctors to get educated and study as far away as Wichita, KS. I get what you’re saying. But the local Lawrence population is 100% ok with this. Keep to your area and we will keep to ours. Also this isn’t uncommon. How do you think cities build their stadiums? This will bring in better recruits which brings in better competition which promotes tourism and local businesses profit from this. Out of everything we already get taxed for. This is something the people are ok with.
SHOULD DONE THIS YEARS AGO. THE FUNNY THING IS BOTH KANSAS SCHOOLS HAVE THERE SHARES OF MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES AND THEY ALL ARE CHEAP WHEN IT COMES TO DONATING. BIG10 NEVER LIKED KU BECAUSE THERE ARE TO MANY ALUMNI IN THERE TERRITORY AS WELL IN THE PAC12. PLUS BIG10 IS JEALOUS OF KU BASKETBALL HISTORY AND TRADITION AND NOT ONE OF THEM CAN OR NEVER MATCH IT….
... They did try a renovation with the "Touchdown Club" back when Perkins was AD that was going to have major renovations but that was announced in 2008 going into 2009 but the financial crisis killed it. Then the Team TANKED for a decade, so there was that.
No disrespect but I’m never ever watching a Kansas football game. I rather watch grass grow or paint dry. Never seen a Kansas football game and I never will
Because they just got a brand new Athletic Director that is actually really good unlike the last two that they had. He's been able to convince the alumni to donate, because they trust him more now. Also because they won 6 games last year.
They've shown a lot of improvement over the past three seasons. Finally won some games to qualifying for a bowl to winning a bowl game and finishing the season ranked. Next season will be rough with no true home games. But, a much better stadium will be completely worth it. Last year wasn't a fluke at all - They've done a great job at changing the football culture in Lawrence
