Neuheisel, New House

by Offside on Apr 30, 2008 7:07 PM PDT

Bumped. Another good post that prompted great discussion. Putting this up on the home page, making sure no one misses it. I will take the liberty to add an image for a little visual. Personally I LOVE THE ROSE BOWL. But I understand the concern re. seating issues. GO BRUINS. -N

pmong9's photostream(flickr)

We have an exciting coaching staff; a group of motivated players, and a suspenseful upcoming football season. Now, can we do something about that wretched Rose Bowl? I can hear the gasp now. It's scenic. It's historical. But so is the Roman Colosseum and I wouldn't buy a season ticket there.

Let me state the solution even before I explain the problem. I see no reason on God's green earth why the Rose Bowl needs to seat more than 65,000 people - 70 tops. If one-third of the existing seats were removed the stadium seating plan could be reconfigured. The present level of creature comforts is comparable to flying coach on a discount airline.

With diverse sources of revenue (e.g. TV) does each individual seat have to generate income? This is not 1925. The Rose Bowl is only filled to capacity perhaps one day per year, and most of the time that added capacity has been more of a benefit for our SC friends.

I have paid my dues at the Rose Bowl. After getting out of school, I regularly attended games at the Coliseum. When the team came to the Rose Bowl, I followed. I remember the hard benches with no seat backs and the equatorial heat I shared (along with good times) with every "Man, woman and child" in the alumni section. But I finally and reluctantly gave up my season tickets about 1997. Let me tell you why.

THE STADIUM IS SIMPLY NOT SET UP TO SEAT AVERAGE HUMAN BEINGS. It's like going into a Kindergarten class and sitting in one of their little chairs. I am not a large person either in girth or height. Yet, when I sat in my assigned seat, my knees and shins scraped against the metal seatback railing on the row in front of me (and also the backs of those people if I were not careful). I tend to feel sorry for the many spectators taller than me, although that empathy faded when one of them sat next to me, splayed his legs out 60 degrees and pushed his elbows and shoulders into my ribs. I would end up with half a seat. It wasn't necessarily rudeness; the guy simply had nowhere to go.

If I sat with my elbows pinned to my side, like a mummy in a sarcophagus, the lateral restrictions were tolerable. However, the real problem was with FRONT TO BACK space. If someone entered my row and wished to pass, I would stand up, lean slightly backwards and still often have an embarrassingly intimate encounter with them. Simultaneously, that person would be brushing the hats off the people in the next row as he transited. It is almost impossible not to step on people's feet (or get stepped on) even putting your feet in a Chaplinesque position.

Finally, since each row of seats is fastened to an 18 inch wide terrace, there is virtually no room under the seats. When people on each side of me would bring in their baggage from home, I would find myself walled-in in an Edgar Allen Poe fashion. Fellow Bruins were almost always courteous in allowing passage, but had no room to move their possessions, even temporarily. Having to clamber out of my seat and over someone's binoculars, thermos, backpack and sandwiches from home made going out for a hot dog or hitting the restroom too much of a hassle.

I now watch the games at home on TV with my feet propped up, a beer in my hand, and unfettered access to a restroom.

I am not suggesting we abandon the Arroyo Seco. I don't need skyboxes, a luxury restaurant on the premises, or a stadium dome. I just want my damn seat. If it takes a rocket scientist to plan the reconfiguration, JPL is nearby.

Those of you who may be attending games there for the next 50 years might want to raise your voices.

Who cries for me Pasadena? The truth is I've already left you.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Agree

I have season tickets on the press box side. I am only 5'10" and my knees are up against the back of the seats in front of me. I have two friends who are big Bruin fans but are also big themselves, with each one between 6'2" and 6'4". One friend won't go anymore and the other one will go if he can sit in the aisle seat (which I prefer) and stretch his legs out into the aisle.

The seats they were originally going to put in were even worse and luckily UCLA said no.

by artybruin on Apr 28, 2008 8:13 AM PDT reply actions

Validation

I am pleasantly surprised at the general level of agreement with my posting. I really expected a storm of indignant replies that I was being a wimp or that my spatial perceptions were imaginary.

by Offside on Apr 28, 2008 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Even as a student

that should probably be able to sit through anything and live through inconveniences such as this, I recognized that this is a particularly annoying problem that will only get worse over the years. Of course, first on my complaint list is the commute and the traffic flow problem, but there isn't all that much we can do about that (besides find another place to play).

by Tydides on Apr 28, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

students do not sit during football games.

period.

by jjreicher on Apr 28, 2008 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah I'm sure no student has ever sat down

or sat down and put his head in his hands due to yet another inept 3 and out by a KD offense.

by Tydides on Apr 28, 2008 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Sitting at games

I am proudly one of the few that get front row of the Den, and we do not sit (unless at half time). And even if we tried to sit, it would be impossible since we pack the small area with twice as many people as seats in that lower section.

Anyways, I was able to attend the spring game, and I did notice this problem. I'm at 5'11" and quickly became claustrophobic when my friends piled around me. I had an extremely hard time simply grabbing my water bottle just under my seat. So I completely agree with the situation at hand.

However, because I stand at games and will continue to do so for the next few years, I can't complain so much.

GO BRUINS!!!! CHEER LIKE CHAMPIONS!!!

by bk bruin on May 1, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Fortunate you are

To be a student during the Neu era. My five years coincided with KD's. We did not have much to cheer about.

by Tydides on May 1, 2008 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

The Rose Bowl

is in serious need of renovation and nearly everyone agrees. UCLA, the Tournament of Roses and the people who run the stadium haven been trying to get renovation done for years. They already hired a firm to design the renovations (which can be seen on the Rose Bowl's website) and have had an EIR done.

The problem? It was projected to cost over $300 million (and that was a few years ago) and the Rose Bowl is already operating at a loss, only coming close to breaking even because of the gold course revenue. Unfortunately, I don't see the stadium getting its much needed renovation and UCLA will be playing in a sub-par stadium for a while longer.

One thing to keep an eye on is a large tract of land on the VA that may be sold in a few years. The VA may sell it and as a state university, UCLA would be eligible to buy the land for cheaper than the land would go for on the open market. Now nothing is imminent or remotely close to it. There is only something luke a 1/100 chance anything happens with that land, but I know the Morgan Center is keeping an eye on what happens with that land.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 28, 2008 8:50 AM PDT reply actions

I don't know how feasible it would be

I already see a few problems with that scenario.

Parking. I don't know how big of a lot they're going to build, or if there's even room for a big lot. Or they'll have to shuttle from the UCLA lots. Where will we tailgate?
North Village/Bel Air/Westside residents. I can hear the complaining. "The traffic will be too much" "the area cannot handle it." The area residents already complained mercilessly about an expansion at the Federal Building and that has been killed.
Cost. I'd almost rather they work on Pauley first, where are we going to get the money to build a new stadium?

But a stadium close to campus would be so much better. I remember the days of riding the UCLA campus shuttles to the Rose Bowl, having to get up earlier than I would have wanted to on a Saturday for a 1230 game, and then sprinting out to the buses after the game, hoping that we won't get stranded...

by freesia39 on Apr 28, 2008 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions

The are 1,000 issues with it

The chances of the project being realistic enough to bother discussing the issues is astronomical. It's just something the people in the Morgan Center are keeping tabs on, but the chances of it even being under discussion are slim, on a good day.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 28, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Another possible issue

Prohibition by law.

It's a few months old, and it's not clear exactly what restrictions apply, but it still seems like it could have an impact.

by jaffa on Apr 28, 2008 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Rose Bowl

I am with the senitment here. I attended games at the Coliseum, entered through either the lower level, or took the escalator up the a mid-level entrance. Our seats were "priveleged" since we paid extra $$ for them (don't remember now). When we moved to the Rose Bowl, we were told our seats would be "just as good". Although the yard line was the same, we were further from the field, no doubt. It is ridiculous to have all fans come in the same tunnel. No two tiered entrance available. For those who are in the upper rows, forget it!! You best be in great shape, and young, and not in need of bathrooms, because the trek is out of sight...

The comments about the seating distance is right on the money. If you aren't on the aisle, it is a real agony, and I am only 6' tall. The courple who went with us all those years, the husband is 6'3", so you know where his feet, knees, etc. were all the time we sat together.

I gave up my seats the year after the team tanked against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl game and Donahue was seriously mailing it in. If he didn't have the energy and desire to work hard, I sure as hell wasn't going to come put up with the Rose Bowl seating, configuration, etc. to watch .500 teams play. We also used to go the the Bay area for the annual games there but tired of 51-0 or whatever the scores were for several years in a row...
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Apr 28, 2008 8:59 AM PDT reply actions

Gotta disagree

I love the Rose Bowl. It is in much better condition than the mausoleum. Sure the seating is crowded, but what stadium isn't? The very purpose of a stadium is to cram as many people into the place as possible. It's called max profit.

The bench seats are better albeit placed in a worse part of the stadium. but either way, I don't sit during games. I can't I'm too excited.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Apr 28, 2008 11:57 AM PDT reply actions

Partially agree

The Rose Bowl is in pretty good condition, certainly MUCH better than the Coliseum, but the leg room is also much worse than most other places. At Dodger Stadium, even if there's someone in the seat in front of you you can be comfortable.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 28, 2008 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

People are getting bigger in general.

So many of the venues built 40 or more years ago are just not big enough for people today. The average male height in the 40's was around 5'6" or 5'7". Now we are scraping 5'10" to 6'. It is unfortunate and needs to be fixed in most places.

I disagree though about the number of people the Rose Bowl needs to hold. Our average attendance last year was 65-70 thousand. That was for a bad year with one marquee game. Imagine a good season with an energized fan base. We could easily sellout all year in theory. What this means is a huge overhaul, and that isn't cheap.

by isodore on Apr 28, 2008 12:01 PM PDT reply actions

We actually averaged 76,378

and did so with a mediocre team and one marquee game, like you said. I think in a perfect world our stadium capacity would be around 80,000, but the 90,000 of the Rose Bowl isn't bad.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 28, 2008 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Although,

We also gave away masses of tickets to various groups of students and other programs at nearly every game. If attendance picks up, we could easily stop giving so many away. (And I know several people who wouldn't miss 'em.)

by jaffa on Apr 28, 2008 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Those tickets that are given away...

to the I'm Going To College kids in the end zone don't count into the attendance.

GO BRUINS!

by rgalloucla on Apr 28, 2008 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Actually

Sitting on the aisles is worse than cramped legs. I am 6' 4" and had seats in the middle of a row. I had the idea to move to the end of an row so I could stick my legs out........great idea right?

Well with the impossibly log rows, guess what happens when you sit on the end. You are basically getting up every 30 second when one of the 200 people in our row got up for anything.....I switched back to the middle!

by RDO on Apr 28, 2008 1:14 PM PDT reply actions

I never really thought about it

The only part that I didn't like was when they put in those pink seats. As a student, we'd just cram into the metal bleachers and watch the game. But the pink seats seemed to make the leg room smaller especially with the armrests sticking out. Before when people would walk by you just stood up on the metal bleachers, but now you have to pick up your stuff underneath your seat and stand flush against it.

My only complaint is the same I have for the airlines - my seat is fine. It's the "large" person next to me spilling over into my seat that's the problem.

by mark the bruin on Apr 28, 2008 6:00 PM PDT reply actions

Am I the only one here...

to point out the fact that this main article is written about benches that have been gone in 75% of the stadium for over a decade? The pink stadium style seats have taken their place between goal lines on both sides of the stadium. They lift up to make passing in the aisles much easier. They also do a great job of keeping the guy next to you from invading your space. To be honest, I don't really care if our visiting fans have to cram themselves onto rows of metal benches most of the season. True...for the bigger games, Bruins are often in these seats as well. But if they dislike them so much, perhaps they too will purchase season tickets in the future and sit in the much more comfortable seats that season ticket holders are awarded.

GO BRUINS!

by rgalloucla on Apr 28, 2008 11:06 PM PDT reply actions

I think the point is

The metal benches are much more comfortable than the pink seats.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 29, 2008 12:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks

for the insightful and knowledgeable responses to my original posting. As usual, putting a topic before the combined brainpower of the BN results in coverage of ALL aspects.

I can see that, much like the Beauty Pageant contestant seeking world peace, I was probably pursuing a pipedream. However, if any of you make it big, and want to donate the necessary millions to refurbish the Rose Bowl, we can always name the Rose Bowl field after you, as was done with the court at Pauley.

NOW GET OUT THERE AND BE PRODUCTIVE!

by Offside on Apr 29, 2008 11:30 AM PDT reply actions

Agreed re the seats

I don't think anyone has mentioned another fun fact when you only have a few inches between your seat and the one in front of you: add a baby and a toddler.

Yep, last year we went to two games with the lil' M's in tow, and I can only apologize to my good friends in Section 2-H that put up with my children kicking, punching, pinching and otherwise knocking into everyone. I'm 6'1", and it's tight, if livable for me, but, man, it even less fun with a kid on each lap (we had 2 seats).

That said, of course, my solution isn't to abandon the Rose Bowl, literally one of my favorite places on Earth. I'll be out this next weekend at the Pick-a-Seat event, upgrading to 4 seats (hopefully on the shady side, though I'll miss my young alumni friends in 2-H).

Your post does, however, remind me to actually test out the seats, as there is a fair bit of variation from seat to seat because of the angle of the curve in the bowl.

The Rose Bowl may be short on leg room, and even experienced QB's, but there will be something I haven't seen there in years: hope.

I can't wait.

by Menelaus on Apr 29, 2008 3:45 PM PDT reply actions

A marketing suggestion

You should be allowed to get two adjoining seats and another two directly in front, remove the dividers, and have First Class accomodations. Peanuts would be optional.

Next season I will be joining you (from my TV)in a spirited 8-clap. At the stadium, because of space restrictions, I was only able to manage a 5.7 -clap.

by Offside on Apr 29, 2008 10:09 PM PDT reply actions

Disagree

I have to completely disagree with this post. I find the Rose Bowl to be a completely enjoyable stadium, though I am a relatively new season ticket holder (this will be year 3). Of course I stand more than I sit at games, so maybe I just don't notice the size of the seats. Granted, the Rose Bowl is a little cramped in terms of getting in and out of aisles, but that's the case with any stadium. I can compare most recently to AT&T Park in San Francisco, and I had just about the same leg room as at the Rose Bowl (though I did have a cupholder for my beer which my leg kept hitting).

I definitely feel Pauley needs a renovation before the Rose Bowl does, but feel there's no need to reduce the number of seats at the Rose Bowl. Remember, they do hold the Rose Bowl game there every year; do you think the BCS wants them to actually REDUCE the number of seats available?

by keeblaelf on Apr 30, 2008 11:03 PM PDT reply actions

A couple things

It's hard to completely disagree with the post.

You may disagree that the tight seats are a big deal. That's fair. And when I was in year 3 in my seats standing most of the time, I hardly noticed aside from the day I brought along my 6'5" brother.

And, as I noted, I think people should recognize that there is quite a bit of variation from seat to seat. So, if your seat isn't super tight, that doesn't mean somebody else's isn't. It's just a quirk of the old stadium.

That said, I agree that the Pauley renovation should take precedence (by a lot), and don't think we need to make a substantial reduction in seats at the Rose Bowl (nor should we). In fact, I expect will be using most of those seats in a couple years more than some people think.

by Menelaus on May 1, 2008 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Good post, Offside

I personally haven't been to a game at the Rose Bowl in years (thanks to living in NYC and not getting back to LA during football season as often as I'd like), so I can't weigh in on the specific issues raised here, but I compliment Offside on a thoughtful, humorous and well-written post.

Well done, sir.

by Dexter Fishmore on May 1, 2008 9:36 AM PDT reply actions

I guess I am a sucker for nostalgia

I love the Rose Bowl. Love the history and tradition of the place.

by makenji on May 1, 2008 6:04 PM PDT reply actions

Agreed

One of the greatest venues in all of sports. But because of that, it deserves the improvements.

I just worry that if upgrades are made, it will entice an NFL team to share the stadium. I would hate see UCLA become a secondary tenant or lose out on revenue because of upgrades

by sausmaf on May 1, 2008 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Disagree

I've had season tickets for 22 years. At 6'0, 180lbs I am able to fit the seats fine. I am there for the excitement of UCLA football and to hear the roar of the crowd, not for the comfort. If so, I too would sit on the couch with a beer in hand. If they were to reduce the seat count to improve comfort, that would put those of us in the alumni section into the endzone rather than the 5 yard line. In addition, the seat price would go up beyond the typical annual increases. The typical fan who chooses a couch at home over being at the Rose Bowl is the same fan who will attend games only in good years, and raise the UCLA flags on their cars and homes only in good years.

by ezuclabruin on May 2, 2008 3:29 PM PDT reply actions

A fair comment

I was momentarily tempted to respond with a snide comment (e.g. You're right. I should toughen up. Perhaps wear a Blue and Gold cilice). However, as I think about it, I probably would have written a similar response to yours a few years ago.

I admit there is no substitute for being there. I hope you have a ball this upcoming season, and I will also be cheering a Bruin victory. If the TV camera pans your way, please wave.

by Offside on May 2, 2008 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Wave

Yes Offside, I will wave. I will be the one wearing blue in the middle of section 2. Another item of note, I have not done this any year until today. We have an appointment where we go inside the stadium (after a tailgate session) and view all the available seats for season tickets. They are apparently color coded with the price. I'm guessing that we'll also be given the opportunity to test the leg room at those individual seats that one may choose. That could solve some of the concerns with some seats being more cramped than others.

by ezuclabruin on May 3, 2008 7:37 AM PDT reply actions