UM stadium reseating plan raises questions, controversy
Dolphins' renovations aid 'Canes
The Miami Hurricanes will benefit from the major renovation of Sun Life Stadium being undertaken by the Miami Dolphins.
By Craig Davis South Florida Sun Sentinel contact the reporter
Stadium renovations uproot some UM fans from midfield seats, stirs outrage.
UM awarding seat preference based on level of donations.
The University of Miami hasn’t announced ticket prices for seating in renovated Sun Life Stadium, but the process is already stirring unrest among Hurricanes fans.
A letter to a local radio station from a long-time season-ticket holder complaining about midfield seating on the home side being set aside for the largest contributors to the program in the new seating configuration sparked a flurry of outrage on social media.
An official with the athletic department said the move is in adapting to the reconstruction of the lower bowl being undertaken by the Miami Dolphins which will create premium club seating between the 35-yard lines on the south side of the field.
UM will reserve those seats for the Golden Canes, who contribute at least $15,000 annually to the program. That was formerly prime regular seating encompassed by sections 141-143.
“That product has completely changed. There’s hospitality involved, there’s exclusive parking, there’s huge, comfortable seats, there’s great food and beverages there that is all-inclusive,” UM associate athletic director Jesse Marks said. “We are moving our top donors to that area. We have to take care of those who support the program at the highest levels.”
Marks pointed out that with the stands being extended 24 feet closer to the field there will be more desirable seats available in the lower bowl than in the past.
Current season-ticket holders are being given priority in the seat-selection process based on their 2014 level of contribution to the program and rank within that level. UM has 10 levels of annual donations, ranging from $50 to $55,000 (Champions level).
Those who want to improve their position in the selection process have until Feb. 13 to increase their level of giving. At that point, the order of selection will be set and those purchasing seats will be given a date to do so, from March 9-20. They can make their selections online, by phone or at the UM ticket office.
Marks said the pricing structure for the remainder of the stadium will be sent out after Feb. 13.
“What I will say is our goal is to keep the prices pretty much the same [as in 2014]. That being said, if you’re sitting in what was the south sidelines between the 35s, those seats don’t exist in the same form,” Marks said, noting that the Golden Canes who will now occupy that area will pay the same as last year in their previous location.
Midfield seats on the north (visitors’) side will be available, with priority given to those making the highest donations. Those in the north sideline 100 level will have access to a luxury club below that area.
“That would be the most comparable seats. We’re going to try to price that comparable to what the south side seats were last year,” Marks said, “But I’m conscious of the fact that some people might not view the north side the same as the south side. We have to view this as a whole new stadium.”
The Hurricanes sold about 32,000 season-tickets in 2014. How sentiment about the reseating of the stadium affects renewals remains to be seen. Online discussion boards were already rife with fans disenchanted with last season’s 6-7 record.
Marks said the athletic department is confident the stadium renovations will provide a tremendous long-term boost to the football program both in recruiting players and appealing to fans.
In addition to restructuring the lower bowl, all of the seats will be replaced before the 2015 season. In the second phase during 2016, a canopy roof covering the seats will be added and four high-definition video scoreboards installed in the corners of the upper deck.
The $400 million project is being funded by Dolphins owner Steve Ross. As a tenant, UM did not have input on the design or contribute to the cost.
“We’re very grateful to the Dolphins for designing such a beautiful stadium that benefits us,” Marks said. “But some of the things that they are doing, we are molding them to work for our product. It’s not a Miami Hurricanes renovation.
“Everybody in our organization at the university is thrilled that this is moving forward so quickly. The Dolphins have systematically addressed every single issue where anybody could complain about this stadium. They’re making it very enjoyable to go to a game, and I think everybody is going to benefit greatly from that.”
Visit the UM site for more details about season tickets.
UM benefactors
While the football program has had plenty of detractors lately, the UM athletic program has received a boost in recent months from four benefactors that provided transformational gifts of at least $1 million.
Calais Campbell’s $1.6 million scholarship endowment was the largest UM has received from a former football player. Campbell, a defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals, last week topped the endowment made in December by former running back Ken Hunt, who gave $1.5 million to fund a full scholarship in perpetuity to a running back on the football team. Campbell’s will fund scholarships for defensive linemen.
In addition, FMS Bonds, a Boca Raton firm, provided $1 million for the new center-hung basketball scoreboard at BankUnited Center, and Robert Mann, of Fort Lauderdale, contributed a $1 million endowment.
Marks said the gifts are indications that “the brand is strong, people believe in what we’re doing as a university, and those are the types of support and statements that really support what we’re doing at the University of Miami athletics.”
CraigDavisRuns@Twitter.com
