OCR Text |
Show MIGUST 30, 1998 The Satt Lake Tribune SECTION J! After its $50 million renovation, Rice-Eccles Stadium will help lift the University of Utah football programinto the nation’s top ranks, become a symbolof the university’s rising stature and claim centerpiece status at the 2002 Olympics — at lea hat's what boosters hope. Steve Griffi/TheSalt Lake Tribune Danny La/TheSalt Lake ‘Tribune BY JOE BAIRD THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE A COLLEGEFOOTBALL PROGRAM that pursued higher visibility dium could betheclimax of a long: running effort to propel the progr: for years finally has it — physically, anyway. The Universityof Utah's new Rice-Eccles Stadium, perchedatop thehill at the southwest cornerof the into thetop tiernationally. U. Pres’ an beseen fromall over the ‘alley It’s a pretty amazingsight,” marvels Ute football coach Ron McBride. “1 neverthought I'd see this happen in my day.” Expectations for thestadium are as high as its newprofile. University offi cials anticipatethat the $50 million dent Bernie Machen sees thestadium not only as a people and fund-raising magnet, but another symbol ofthe school’s stature, much like the sprawl ing medical centerto the northeast. And yes, the world will be welcome there. The stadium’s roleas siteof the opening andclosing ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games ensures international exposurein the coming years. scheduledto finish in timefor You get a new stadium and it’s kind of a rebirth for everyone,” says Glen Tuckett ought to know, Sixteen years ago, oversaw the expansion of BYU’s CougarStadiumfrom 30,000 to championshiptwoyears later(1984) Eccles Stadium. and established itself as one of the col. lege game's brand names raising theschool’s profile along the way Today, BYU continuesto fill its stadi umandplay top programs. Alabama Arizona State and Washingtonareall on the Cougarschedulethis season. Rice Stadium is cut from a Tuckett, former athleticdirectorat enthusiasmgets rekindled. It’s a real but benefits from ‘90s technology and thegridiron ForUteathletics, the 45,634-seat sta plus, not only for the University of amenities. Thefour-level press box on IN Utah,but theentire state.” PROGRESS nt Nelson/The Salt LakeTribui Fanslookingfor souvenirs and construction workers take apart Rice Stadium. Several months later a $50 million renovation takes concrete form. ‘Steve GriffinThe § “The University of Utah coach Ron McBride andhis football players will kick off a new erain Ute foot- | ball Sept. 12 similar fabric. Designed by the same Salt LakeCity architectural firm that r Stadium, FFKR, the U.’s newarena is more modestin capacity. Sept. 12 openeragainst Louisville, will have an impact that reverberates beyond the area and Brigham Young University. | 65,000 seats. Already a program on the rise, BYU won the national football Attop: Earlier this year, a sunset silhouettes construction of a 14-story concretepillar at Rice: See STADIUM, Page J-5 THE NUMBERS RICE STADIUM oto NEW Capacity Chair seats Bleacher seats Student seats Suites Club seats Press box seats Elevators Scoreboards Restrooms Concession stands Atriums 34,905 11,542 18,822 4,541 0 400 30 0 2 30 16 0 45,634 16,168 23,389 6,077 23 420 75 5 3 163 30 1 |