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Post by brandon on Jul 13, 2018 9:38:28 GMT -6
Why don't they expand Braly Stadium? For example, build stands in the south endzone where Coffee High's old baseball field was. I used to agree with that, until the school board screwed us. I would have loved to stay at a refurbished, state of the art, loud and rowdy Braly. But not anymore. |
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Post by tuna85 on Jul 13, 2018 9:45:36 GMT -6
Back in the day, I would have been happy with a little purple paint.
Today I would be happy with Braly if I knew we were only going to be there no more than four years before we moved to the new UNA managed and owned Bobby Wallace Stadium.
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Post by brandon on Jul 13, 2018 10:08:35 GMT -6
Bobby Wallace Stadium......love it
With his, Ronald McKinnon and designated areas for other statues around the stadium.
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Post by unafied on Jul 13, 2018 10:12:04 GMT -6
Even with all the school board trouble, I think we could eventually make do. School board members come and go. Some that are more amicable to UNA could eventually serve.
The problem is they let the stadium soldier on without meaningful upgrades. Forget about the sheer number of seats for a moment, and you realize there were several D2 stadiums nicer than ours towards the end. Now in FCS, we will be no higher than middle of the pack nationally. Outdated press box and locker rooms, no luxury boxes, crumbling brick and stonework, rusted chain-link fencing, a predominant color scheme that years ago was supposed to be "neutral" but then they turned around and made the combined high school that very same color...
A lot needs to be fixed.
I love Braly and have a lot of great memories there, and wouldn't mind us staying if we were given full ownership and control of the stadium. But I don't think Florence will ever be willing to do that.
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Post by brandon on Jul 13, 2018 10:26:10 GMT -6
Even with all the school board trouble, I think we could eventually make do. School board members come and go. Some that are more amicable to UNA could eventually serve. The problem is they let the stadium soldier on without meaningful upgrades. Forget about the sheer number of seats for a moment, and you realize there were several D2 stadiums nicer than ours towards the end. Now in FCS, we will be no higher than middle of the pack nationally. Outdated press box and locker rooms, no luxury boxes, crumbling brick and stonework, rusted chain-link fencing, a predominant color scheme that years ago was supposed to be "neutral" but then they turned around and made the combined high school that very same color... A lot needs to be fixed. I love Braly and have a lot of great memories there, and wouldn't mind us staying if we were given full ownership and control of the stadium. But I don't think Florence will ever be willing to do that. This is where it gets dicey, UNA has the opportunity to buy the stadium and the land that the school is on outright, and the school board was prepared to take the school elsewhere. Thinking about the well being of the school board, UNA said, let's just wait until you find somewhere to build the school, just in case you can't. Then, (they probably didn't even look) they didn't find another suitable sight for the school and plans were made to build there. The original plans for the school was to be built on the other side of the lot, away from the stadium. UNA was good with that, then at the last min, the current plans goj shoved through without even considering what UNA needed in the stadium. Then when the arguments ensued, the school board tried their best to make UNA seem like they don't care about the best interests for the kids or the community. When it was UNA looking out for them to begin with. That's why I say, let's quit putting money into it and helping a parasite and get out from under it all together. I would even go further, I would have County high school games at the new stadium every week and never let Florence High school step foot on it. |
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Post by northalaspectator on Jul 13, 2018 10:36:55 GMT -6
Why don't they expand Braly Stadium? For example, build stands in the south endzone where Coffee High's old baseball field was. They could, but why would they when every time the university wanted to do something they would have to get permission from another Authority. They would have to get permission from The Florence City Board of Education. The City School System owns the Stadium and grounds. The University only has an Agreement with the City School System to use the Stadium for games. |
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Post by tuna85 on Jul 13, 2018 10:59:52 GMT -6
Well I would say the dealings that have occurred would tend to make one want to punish the school board. However, I would encourage a broader picture.
UNA, while maybe not being a champion of the school board and some of the local politics, is a champion of the people of Florence and the Shoals. I think this needs to be clear not only for the regions benefit but also UNA. Let Florence High School play at BWS if they can be accommodated. We manage, own, and control our Purple and Gold (not yeller) stadium. The kids have a fine place to play and aspire to play college ball there and march in the POD. Take consolation in those who have caused the recent problems having to swallow a bit of pride and dance to UNA's call on the facility. Or, they can move on but that would be their call as UNA means no ill will.
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