Getting rid of the marching band was one of the most moronic discussions of the GA administation.  Penny wise pound foolish.  The DU band director who was fired has put together an awesome band at RMU, which she was just on the brink of doing here.   Without the benefit of a music school.

Since you asked, I’m not in favor of moving games to Highmark.  I know Rooney is awful but at least you don’t have to pay rent for it.   Moving games to Highmark will have even less college atmosphere.

Playing RMU at Highmark is just inviting all their fans to attend the game.  Meaning we play at RMU and a neutral site game for our home game.   Complete with their band.

Last edited by duqkurt (3/18/2018 3:34 pm)

Duquesne needs to make a decision on Rooney Field.  It screams inadequate at this point.  I would suggest turning it into a real stadium.  Build it out of bricks, concrete and mortar with concessions an restrooms.  The grandstand can be extended over Academic walk with a walk through underneath.  Build two end zone seating areas, and at the Bluff St side build a grandstand to match the opposite side.  This would give you a real stadium and a great atmosphere to grow the program to the A-10 level.

I think playing a game there would be somewhat neat, but wouldn't Cupples stadium make more sense?  I have never been to either stadium but I assume Highmark is much nicer. I also sort of agree with Kurk here too.  If we have to pay rent, I see no reason to make the move as the costs are not worth it IMO.  I'm also not sure that the Rooney field is capable of much more seating.  The idea of a walkway underneath doesn't appeal to me and would be met with a lot of resistance on campus.  A Walk is the centerstone of campus life.  

So, I looked and looked at Highmark stadium, and it seems so ridiculous that our stadium isn't similar to it.  The seating capacity is only 5000, and if you look at photos, it seems very similar.  In addition, the view of AWalk would be similar to the Highmark stadium view of the River.  Plus, Highmark stadium only cost 7 million dollars.  Why didn't Duquesne wait and try to make Rooney Field worth the cost?  Here is a good pic of highmark's stadium.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highmark_Stadium#/media/File:Highmark_Stadium_Main_Stand.jpg

I've changed my mind on the issue and think Highmark would be a good idea.  Looks like Clarion agrees.

https://clariongoldeneagles.com/news/2018/4/25/football-to-open-18-season-at-highmark-stadium.aspx

Box & One wrote:

Is it architecturally feasible to build down?
I.E. build a “pit” design where the top of the stadium is The Walk and seating does down versus up.

 
They already built as far down as they could with Rooney if I remember correctly.  The Armstrong Tunnels are directly below.

I was just at a Riverhounds game at Highmark yesterday and the place feels so much more impressive than Rooney as it is now.

I'll never forget the first time I saw the rebuild when Marshall soccer team making fun of the field as they got off the bus when they realized that our football team played there as well.

Last edited by coffee (5/27/2018 6:15 pm)

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