SPORTS AND ATHLETIC FACILITIES

[smeagolsfree]

Just ran across this.

Best Minor League Ballparks in the U.S. (msn.com)

[markhollin]

New renderings for south end of Vandy's FirstBank Stadium rebuild.  Set to open in 2025.

More here:

https://vucommodores.com/photos-vandyunited-sez/?utm_term=nashtoday&utm_campaign=daily-newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=nashtoday&utm_content=nashtoday

[PruneTracy]

Bizarre that they spend all the time/money they do making their academic and residential buildings look the way they do, then do this to their athletic facilities.

[Bos2Nash]

Honestly, I like the contrast though. The first thing that came to mind is how ancient Academia is and how new/modern College Sports/SEC is (even if the CFP is archaic in their selection process). While athletics have honestly been around forever,  the modern age of college sports has changed so much within this generation. Having suites and amenity clubs similar to professional stadiums is mind blowing at the collegiate level, so to a certain extent, the modernity of the arenas is comparable to the ancient glory of the academic buildings.

(aka I am completely post-rationalizing this from the outside hahaha)

[MLBrumby]

I thought it would look more integrated (seamless) with the original parts of the stadium. Unfortunately it looks quite clunky. I just don't see what more Vandy could do with keeping the old core of the stadium. They should have built ground-up on land they own next door. 

[PaulChinetti]

Tennessee just said they were starting to fund raise for a "entertainment district" around Neyland. So that will be interesting.

[Sean blackdog]

Arena Football League
New logo? 

Edited December 20, 2023 by Sean blackdog

[Luvemtall]

On 12/15/2023 at 10:24 AM, PaulChinetti said:

Tennessee just said they were starting to fund raise for a "entertainment district" around Neyland. So that will be interesting.

They’re building new dorms ? You did say “Entertainment District “

[PaulChinetti]

1 hour ago, Luvemtall said:

They’re building new dorms ? You did say “Entertainment District “

https://www.wate.com/sports/orange-and-white-nation/vision-for-neyland-entertainment-district-detailed-in-pitch-to-developers/

"entertainment district" does a lot of work for a lot of buildings on campus haha

[Luvemtall]

My comment was meant to be sarcastic in a way, referring to the dorms as the entertainment district for they usually are a continuous party. 

[markhollin]

Vandy's First Bank Stadium announced available seating opportunities in the newly expanded north end zone of the football field.

Vanderbilt season ticket holders have the opportunity to opt in to either of two north end zone experiences when football season ticket renewals launch this week.

South end zone ticket opportunities are scheduled to become available beginning in the 2025 season.

North end zone premium seating is available at both field and terrace levels.

The field-level option will include a reserved tabletop seat (covered and protected from the elements), as well as access to a climate-controlled hospitality lounge with private restrooms; complimentary game-day buffet; cash bar; televisions mounted above the seats outdoors and inside the lounge; and an opportunity to purchase parking in Kensington garage with access to north entry gates.

Photo: David Russell

The terrace-seating option is located on the main concourse level and will include a reserved tabletop seat; access to new fan amenities on the main concourse level; in-seat wait service to purchase food and beverages; and an opportunity to purchase parking in Kensington garage with access to north entry gates.

Season tickets for all other fans will go on sale in February, including opportunities for premium seating in the north end zone.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/football/vanderbilt-announces-new-seating-options/article_23f5b304-b494-11ee-a522-0f3573dab89c.html

Some new renderings:

[markhollin]

Vanderbilt Univ. Basketball Operations (3 stories) update.

Looking north from Jess Neely Drive, 1/8 block east of Natchez Trace:

[markhollin]

Vanderbilt FirstBank Stadium update.

Looking north from Jess Neely Drive, 1/8 block east of Natchez Trace:

[markhollin]

The Nashville Kats Arena Football League team will have its home opener at Municipal Auditorium on April 27th.  Their website is now up:

https://www.thenashvillekats.com/home

[Sean blackdog]

Arena Football League
Other New logo? 

[PaulChinetti]

Reminds me of the cats from Thunder Kats.

[smeagolsfree]

Live online construction map for Vandy

Frist Athletics Village | FutureVU | Vanderbilt University    at bottom of page

 

Construction cams   Vandy United – Vanderbilt University Athletics – Official Athletics Website (vucommodores.com)

[markhollin]

Vanderbilt Univ. Baseketball Operations (3 stories) update.

Looking east from Natchez Trace at 26th Ave. South:

Looking north from Jess Neely Drive, 1/8th block east of Natchez Trace:

[markhollin]

TBT: 10,231 attendance at Municipal Auditorium on Feb 16, 1964 for Dixie Flyers vs Knoxville Knights Eastern Hockey League game.  That would remain the highest attendance for a hockey game in Tennessee history until the Predators started playing in Nashville Arena in the fall of 1998. 

[markhollin]

Vanderbilt FirstBank Stadium update.

Looking north from Jess Neely Drive, 1/8 block east of Natchez Trace:

Looking SE from Natchez Trace at 26th Ave. South:

[markhollin]

The Music City Grand Prix is moving to the Nashville Superspeedway after three years of running in downtown Nashville.

Race officials said the move was due to construction of a new Titans stadium. Much of the track, stands and team facilities for previous races have been located on the parking lots around Nissan Stadium where construction of the future stadium will take place.

Officials did not say when the race would return to Nashville, but credited the Titans and Metro for supporting the effort.

The Nashville Superspeedway in Wilson County previously hosted IndyCar races between 2001 and 2008. The Sept. 15 race will be the circuit's season finale, and the track will be the first oval in a decade to decide the series championship, according to a release.

“The Music City Grand Prix has been more than a race. It’s a festival that celebrates both Nashville and racing,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in the release. “We appreciate Scott Borchetta and Big Machine’s vision and partnership and look forward to the race returning to downtown Nashville in the future. I’ve enjoyed attending all three Music City Grand Prix races and appreciate their continued commitment to Nashville. Racing at the Nashville Superspeedway will add new intrigue to this year’s event.”

Added Borchetta, chair and founder of title sponsor Big Machine Label Group: “This has no bearing on our great relationship with the Tennessee Titans. The team’s management has been nothing but supportive regarding the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and we fully intend to continue conversations with them and the city of Nashville as to when the right time will be to return to the streets of Nashville.”

Construction of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2027 NFL season. Construction of other buildings in the surrounding East Bank area will continue for years after that.

“With the significant challenges of the proposed new course and unknowns with the new stadium construction, which has been the center of operations for the first three years of the Grand Prix,” Borchetta said, “there just isn’t the space needed by the race teams — nor the proper access for downtown businesses and residences — to execute the world-class event that is expected by our amazing fans, IndyCar teams and sponsors.”

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/auto_racing/music-city-grand-prix-moving-to-wilson-county-due-to-titans-construction/article_f8f401fa-cb5a-11ee-b263-8bbb06cff702.html


And at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2024/02/14/big-machine-music-city-grand-prix-superspeedway.html

[PaulChinetti]

Oh man, that sucks, but makes sense. 

Hopefully it makes it's way back to the city after the new stadium is done!

[Bos2Nash]

Was just coming here to post IndyCar’s social media post about this. LOTS of support in the comments for the superspeedway. 

[markhollin]

Vanderbilt First Bank Stadium rebuild update: superstructure for south stands is rising.

Looking north from Jess Neely Drive, 1/8 block east of Natchez Trace:

Looking NW from Jess Neely Drive, 1/3 block east of Natchez Trace:




Looking NE from Jess Neely Drive, 1/3 block east of Natchez Trace:




Looking north from Jess Neely Drive, 1/3 block east of Natchez Trace:




Looking SE from Natchez Trace at 26th Ave. South:

[markhollin]

The WNBA has reiterated its interest in Nashville as an expansion market.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is "pretty confident" the league will expand to 16 teams by 2028 and that the goal is to “bring in a 14th team for 2026.”

The WNBA announced late last year it is adding a 13th team that will be “owned and operated” by the Warriors. It is the league's “first new franchise” since the  Atlanta Dream in 2008.

Engelbert said, "It's complex because you need the arena and practice facility and player housing and all the things you need, committed long-term ownership groups. And so, the nice thing is we're getting a lot of calls, we're continuing to engage with cities."Engelbert also mentioned that cities such as Philadelphia, Toronto, Portland, Denver and Nashville as well as South Florida as places the league is “in discussions with for potential expansion franchises.”

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2024/04/18/wnba-nashville-expansion-team-engelbert.html