The Bruins will get their final glimpse of the Stanford Stadium
this Saturday. On June 7, the university’s Board of Trustees
approved a plan to rebuild the 84-year-old U-shaped bowl. The
large-scale renovation is estimated to cost $85 million. Among the
many changes will be a more intimate sporting venue as 30,000 seats
will be eliminated. The reduction in seats hopefully will bring a
cozier scene as Stanford usually fills less than half the
stadium’s capacity with only 36,000 people per game.
“This plan looks terrific,” said Burton McMurtry, chair
of the Board of Trustees, in a release. “This has been
percolating for a long time and it’s only recently that some
wonderful ideas evolved.” Construction could begin as soon as
the Cardinal football season ends, however, the plans are still
awaiting the approval of Santa Clara County. Completion of the new
facility is tentatively set in time for the 2006 season. “I
don’t think there would a problem with it. There’s a
great deal of support from the university,” said Santa Clara
County Supervisor Liz Kniss to the Palo Alto Weekly.
“There’s a number of positive aspects: the parking, the
amenities, the facilities.” Changes were initially brought to
the table after the realization that the stadium’s
infrastructure, which include restrooms, concession facilities and
unusable seating, was beginning to reach the end of its service
life.
INJURIES: Center Mike McCloskey, who sprained
his right shoulder against Oregon State, will be a game time
decision for the start. Backup freshman Aaron Meyer and junior
Robert Chai have been getting reps…Senior linebacker Justin
London practiced with the first team and will be game time decision
for the start.
HONORS: Senior linebacker Spencer Havner, who
leads the team with 58 tackles on the season, was named as one of
15 quarterfinalists for the 2005 Lott Trophy, which is handed out
to the best defensive player in the nation.