ysuhoops24,
The stadium is not as bad as you make it out to be. Also, it's not as if YSU fans flock to Stambaugh now that the program is just a mediocre FCS program. This is Vegas. Entertainment options are endless. It's not some small town with very little to do for entertainment. There is a push to build an on-campus stadium, but at this time it is cost prohibitive, and does not have the support of MGM, Caesars and other big players in the entertainment industry. Also, the planned site is in direct flight path of McCarran Int'l Airport, so it was nixed by the FAA. New site seems to be a large, barren parcel of land on E. Tropicana, a few blocks from the Strip. The problem, is cost estimates are ranging from $500,000 MILLION to almost $1 BILLION. This is Vegas, so a new stadium is going to have tons of bells and whistles. It is going to be a place able to hold large concerts and a host of other non-football events. And, building a brand new stadium that is not domed makes little sense. A large amount of the money would come from the taxpayers, and people here see that as a waste of money. I agree.
Las Vegas is the largest metro area in the US without a Medical School. Currently, students going to UNLV that want to be doctors take some of their classes at UNLV and some at UNR(what people outside this state call Nevada). Plans are in place for UNLV to finally have a medical school, and have the first class begin in Fall of 2016 or 2017. Board of Trustees are in favor. Gov. Sandoval is in favor. Only question at this point is State Legislature, which will decide in 2015. UNLV is also making a push to become a Tier 1 Research University. That costs alot of money. There are a plethora of proposed projects for the school, and they all require large sums of money. Also, many people here think it's time to drop football all together at UNLV. The thing is, people here are HUGE bandwagon fans. Start winning, and people will flock to Sam Boyd Stadium. As for being way out in the desert, well, Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert. We do not have woods here. We do not have alot of trees, fields of grass....etc. So, if you get spaces that are undeveloped, they are desert. Also, Clark County Wetlands Park borders the Sam Boyd Stadium Property.
http://www.vegas.com/attractions/off-the-strip/clark-county-wetlands/SBS is 4.5 miles from Downtown Henderson, a Vegas suburb with a population of 270,000+ ... SBS is 7.5 miles from UNLV. Far from ideal, but there is not alot in the way of space near UNLV. And, SBS is good enough to host the Las Vegas Bowl, a Rugby 7's World Series Event, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Monster Jam World Finals(Monster Trucks), Monster Energy Cup. The stadium also plays host to soccer "friendlies". In 2012, Real Madrid played a team from Mexico. This March, Splatter Festival 2015 will be held at SBS. It is a 4 day music festival, which as of now will have Drake, Rhianna, Katy Perry, Nikki Manaj among the performers. Performers of this quality are not going to perform in a dump.
As for the practice facilities, they are not very good for an FBS program. And, not sure if you know this or not, but they are on campus, not at Sam Boyd Stadium. And, that is widely known here. The hope is an indoor facility can be built. But, things like this cost money. That is where Fertitta family comes in. Also, UNLV football is an after thought to many people here in Vegas. 75% of the population is transplants from other states and other countries. Many who have their alma maters or hometown schools that they still follow. Also, first and foremost, when it comes to sports, this RUNNIN REBEL TOWN. Basketball is king here. Tark's health is failing, but he still goes to as many games as possible. He is and always will be royalty here in Vegas.
And, the basketball facilities here are as good as ANY college. That is one reason the NBA Summer League is held at Thomas & Mack Center and the adjoining Cox Pavillion. Cox Pavillion has a gym that holds about 4,000 for basketball and volleyball. The womens basketball team plays their games there. On the first floor is a stae of the art practice facility, training room, and a host of other things. T&M is geting a major renovation over the next 1-2 years.
Also, here in Vegas, there is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much to do. Why pay to go watch lousy football, when there are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many other options entertainment wise?
UNLV has excellent facilities for all but football. Men's soccer played in NCAA Tournament this season. Women's Volleyball won MWC Title and will be playing in NCAA Tournament. Mens and Women's golf are both ranked in the top 20. Baseball earned an at-large bid to NCAA Tournament last season, and the baseball stadium is state of the art.
With all the bull$h!t that goes on at YSU, and decisions made based on nepotism and knowing the right people, not sure ripping on UNLV is a wise decision. York Family taking away scholarship they provided to a womens basketball player because Coach D was replaced. Keeping Slocum as HC. A "football school" that has made FCS playoffs 1 time in 14 years. And, while I think hiring Tressel as President was a great decision, it is not exactly viewed that way outside Ytown. It's looked at the same way you look at UNLV possibly hiring a high school coach to be HC of UNLV Football. Only, instead of football, Tressel is YSU PRESIDENT. And, everyone knows he got that job because of the people with $$$$$$$$ who wanted him hired and also what he did as football coach. Again, I like the hire, but if looking at it from a distance, it looks and seems ridiculous. And, again, that is UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT we are talking about, not Head Football Coach.
