Jackson State Unveils New Domed The "Game Changer" 200 million/ 50,000 seats

“No other university in the South will have this.”

David Hoard, Jackson State’s vice president for institutional advancement, unveiled the school’s plans for its much-discussed 50,000-seat domed football stadium.

Speaking during Tuesday’s Spring Update on the JSU campus, Hoard showed renderings of the proposed on-campus stadium that would not only serve as the new home for the Tigers’ football and basketball teams but could potentially bring much more to Jackson.

Hoard announced that the university had hired SMG, a venue marketing, management and development company that counts the Superdome in New Orleans and Solider Field in Chicago among its clientele, to manage the stadium. That partnership, Hoard trumpeted, would bring major national musical acts to Jackson. Mention Beyonce name.

“(JSU president Carolyn Meyers) said to think big, and we have thought big,” Hoard said.

But it all comes at a price, $200 million, according to Hoard.

He reported a bill had already passed through the House that would allocate $75 million in funding toward the project.

He also said the school would call on “13 or 14 various streams” for funding, such as personal seat licenses, stadium naming rights and possible student fees, that could add up to $320 million.

“So, we have options,” Hoard said. “If something doesn’t work out, we can go another direction.”

Hoard said the future of Memorial Stadium would be left up to the state, and pointed to the new stadium’s versatility as its biggest selling point.

Hoard said JSU is looking at a three-year time frame once final approval is received. It would take up to a year to secure the land and finalize designs, then another 18-24 months for construction. Everything, Hoard said, hinges on the financing.

“We’re very confident that the underwriters and other financial supporters are backing this, and it will become a reality soon,” Hoard said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to do something real soon in the next few months. Trust me, we are working diligently to make this a reality.

Howard said. “We are moving forward with all of our financing options. Hopefully, we can move forward this summer.”

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Permalink Reply by altosax on March 14, 2013 at 2:02pm

5-10 years isnt really along time to be honest.... black people like you are the hold up for black people exceding... Im sure many people said it wasnt time for a black president and obama should run in the next 10-20 years but behold we have a black president not only that but a two term black president. The same with greek like, if alpha phi alpha would have listen to the precursor, they wouldnt have been the first black fraternity...

Jason said:

You misunderstood what im saying. Im not saying colleges dont have the money to expand and build certain things...but for BLACK colleges, and $200 million dome is not deemed NECCESSARY nor financially feasible.

and BY THE WAY; EVERY college has expanded since the 90's sir.. lol. thats not a JSU-specialty.. lol. Its been 20 years. I would only HOPE universities have grown a little bit.. lol.

SU has built 3 new dorms, plus 4, 3-story apmt buildings, a new engineering building, new fin. aid building, complete overhaul/renovations to architecture building, a new theater arts building, renovations to college of business, a BRAND NEW intramural sports complex, new paved streets, new BRIDGE on campus, stadium expansion (also the annual cost of maintenance for a STADIUM OWNED AND OPERATED by the University), AND a new stadium on the way. With all that...guess what? SU STILL aint droppin no $200 million on a dome stadium.

I dont think people understand just how much a $200 million stadium is to a black college!!!!!, ESPECIALLY when it has NOTHING to do with academics.

ADDED to that, theres no IMMEDIATE need to accomodate overcrowded stadiums at JSU, NOR do they have a team winning championships to justify the need for such an addition.

I REALLY REALLY HOPE THEY GET A NEW, VERY VERY NICE STADIUM ON THEIR CAMPUS....I would be completely jealous of them, IN A GOOD WAY. i really hope that happens.
But this DOME is about 5-10 years before its time.

JGrows said:

It's OBVIOUS you know NOTHING about JSU. The school has been EXPANDING since the late 90's. I've seen the opening of the new Walter Payton gym in spring 2006, the opening of the newly renovated Dixon dormitory, the clearing and opening of our four story union with the movie theater in it, the construction and opening of the five story Campbell college apartments on campus, the clearing and construction of the "University Place" apartments on Lynch street, the opening of the "e-center" on campus, the renting to OWNERSHIP of Veterans Memorial Stadium, etc. I came in right after they built the new college of business building and five story library also. After I left they opened the Pizza Hut, Chick Fil A, and Burger King restaurants on campus along with handing out ipads to every individual incoming freshmen in 2012. The school is expanding also with a new campus in North Jackson (Madison county) as we speak. JSU is not your typical SWAC school filled with incompetent leaders/poor budgeting and corruption. I'm pretty sure they had cats like you back then stating figures and talking about how those expansion ideas (made into REALITIES) COULD NOT have been accomplished by an HBCU. Just sit back with the sour face on and watch the school progress further with our Dome stadium.

Jason said:

right!! Not hating at all...but who the hell REALLY believed that JSU would get a DOME stadium on its campus???? DO we know NOTHING about black colleges in todays economy? lol

number1 said:

So how is that going to help them when they play in Baton Rouge and Houston? lol

I can see them getting a scaled down version of it. Maybe a 30,000 stadium which fits with the other top SWAC football programs. No way those folks at Ole Miss, Miss. State, and Southern Miss are going to let that slide with JSU getting a dome. lol
Book said:

nothing wrong with getting a new stadium. its needed in Mississippi its hot as two hells there

Permalink Reply by Book on March 14, 2013 at 2:08pm

a 30,000 seater is safe not 50,000

yall know the superdome only holds 72,000

Permalink Reply by Tommy J90 on March 14, 2013 at 2:17pm

Holla at me when ya'll get ya'll's own stadium, on ya'll's own campus...Stop using the white man's hand-me-downs...Like I said"the only time ya'll sell out is when the Jag Nation takes over the city of Jackson,Ms." And ya'll know we come up there and shut Jackson down..This year we taking the SWAC..HOW U LOVE THAT????

altosax said:

Southern University campus looks like shit real talk... At southern the boombox was sold out cause the stadium cant hold that many people (2011) but in Jackson it was not sold out. SU didnt even fill their side (2012).... but let the Hate continue... and you should worry about that small stadium SU has, add on to that ish before you worry about another school that already has a 60,000+ plus seat stadium...

Tommy J90 said:

Get your facts straight!!! The SU vs. JSU game was sold out,,jackass..And JSU's campus is looks terrible..I hope ya'll do get a dome,so we can whup ya'll ass again...This time on some fresh,new turf..

Permalink Reply by Basshorn92 on March 14, 2013 at 3:49pm

Here's one more thing to think about,there is also this disscussion about renovating the MS Coliseum,the city of Jackson wanting an arena,Maybe someone is thinking if JSU get that dome stadium first,thats where the concerts,and other events could be held.Kill two birds with one stone,and with a dome you don't have to cancel an event because of the weather.Oh and another thing,doesn't taxpayers pay when Ole Miss,MS State and USM decides to add on or upgrade their stadium,yes and nothing is said The City,State,and JSU would benefit from it.

Permalink Reply by Jason on March 14, 2013 at 3:54pm

playboy..SU has one of the most picturesque locations...creeks throughout campus...sitting on the banks of the Mississippi...water fountaints. You OBVIOUSLY have never been on SU campus. and THAT, in which you just said, is HATING> making derrogatory comments, like the ones you just made. You SERIOUSLY need to grow up and stop being so immature and emotional. IT AINT CUTE for a grown ass man to do.

Small stadium???????? haha . Anyone with an OUNCE of intelligence knows the SU has the LARGEST SEATING CAPACITY of ALL HBCU ON-CAMPUS STADIUMS. Not only are you a hater, but you just proved yourself to be DUMB AS HELL! smh

Please dont forget that, not only does JSU NOT have an on-campus stadium, but they PAY to PUT THEIR NAME ON A STADIUM THAT WAS BUILT FOR SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT, OTHER THAN FOR THEIR PURPOSES.

THEY STARTED RENTING THE STADIUM, AND THEN PAID MONEY TO ACQUIRE IT. DONT SIT HERE AND ACT LIKE THAT STADIUM WAS BUILT PRIMARILY FOR JSU.

Refer to that SMALL ass on-campus stadium JSU had prior to playing at Vet Memorial, which by the way, STILL HELD 15,000 LESS PEOPLE THAN SOUTHERN'S "SMALL ASS STADIUM". smh @ these young ass clowns.. lol

I didnt wanna take it there, but you need to tone it down and stop talking out the side of your neck. We dont think this dome would be built...POINT BLANK>

I am a SU Grad, and if I saw a plan to build a $200 million DOME on our campus, I WOULD BE SAYING THE SAME THING....."AINT GONNA HAPPEN".

But im still laughing @ you claiming Vet Memorial, like there was a 60,000 seat stadium built JUST for Jackson State... haha. HILARIOUSNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

altosax said:

Southern University campus looks like shit real talk... At southern the boombox was sold out cause the stadium cant hold that many people (2011) but in Jackson it was not sold out. SU didnt even fill their side (2012).... but let the Hate continue... and you should worry about that small stadium SU has, add on to that ish before you worry about another school that already has a 60,000+ plus seat stadium...

Tommy J90 said:

Get your facts straight!!! The SU vs. JSU game was sold out,,jackass..And JSU's campus is looks terrible..I hope ya'll do get a dome,so we can whup ya'll ass again...This time on some fresh,new turf..

Permalink Reply by Jason on March 14, 2013 at 4:09pm

Unlike the things you just said, these people had the MEANS to make that happen. Obama had all the tools he needed to run for presidency, INCLUDING the support of African Americans.

NOW, just for starters, JSU doesnt have the MONEY to drop on a $200 million dome.. They dont have the MEANS.

Now you tell me how this sounds: THEY ARE APPLYING FOR LOANS AND GRANTS FROM THE STATE TO FUND A 50,000 SEAT, $200 MILLION STADIUM, IN WHICH THEIR AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE IS HOVERING AROUND 15,000 CURRENTLY??????

UMmm,i could go on, but you know what, I think I will stop there. Ill let you chew on that for a bit, and think about what state legislature or state official is gonna believe that JSU can EASILY re-coup the costs and pay the supports, contractors, sponsors, and LOANS back when they dont have the fan attendance to pump money to even COME CLOSE to being able to recoup costs. C'mon son, I know you aint THAT DUMB.

And again, no one is gonna loan/finance someone for POSSIBLE events, in which those events havent even expressed INTEREST in coming to Jackson.

So JSU is gonna ask for close to $200 million, and then HOPE AND PRAY that someone comes and uses this dome, outside of football season.

AND IN THE MINDS OF SHAREHOLDERS, CONTRACTORS, AND STATE CONGRESSMEN, THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ACCEPTABLE PURPOSE OF FUNDING A DOME????

RIGHT!!! LOL. aint gonna happen. Use your brain sir.

altosax said:

5-10 years isnt really along time to be honest.... black people like you are the hold up for black people exceding... Im sure many people said it wasnt time for a black president and obama should run in the next 10-20 years but behold we have a black president not only that but a two term black president. The same with greek like, if alpha phi alpha would have listen to the precursor, they wouldnt have been the first black fraternity...

Jason said:

You misunderstood what im saying. Im not saying colleges dont have the money to expand and build certain things...but for BLACK colleges, and $200 million dome is not deemed NECCESSARY nor financially feasible.

and BY THE WAY; EVERY college has expanded since the 90's sir.. lol. thats not a JSU-specialty.. lol. Its been 20 years. I would only HOPE universities have grown a little bit.. lol.

SU has built 3 new dorms, plus 4, 3-story apmt buildings, a new engineering building, new fin. aid building, complete overhaul/renovations to architecture building, a new theater arts building, renovations to college of business, a BRAND NEW intramural sports complex, new paved streets, new BRIDGE on campus, stadium expansion (also the annual cost of maintenance for a STADIUM OWNED AND OPERATED by the University), AND a new stadium on the way. With all that...guess what? SU STILL aint droppin no $200 million on a dome stadium.

I dont think people understand just how much a $200 million stadium is to a black college!!!!!, ESPECIALLY when it has NOTHING to do with academics.

ADDED to that, theres no IMMEDIATE need to accomodate overcrowded stadiums at JSU, NOR do they have a team winning championships to justify the need for such an addition.

I REALLY REALLY HOPE THEY GET A NEW, VERY VERY NICE STADIUM ON THEIR CAMPUS....I would be completely jealous of them, IN A GOOD WAY. i really hope that happens.
But this DOME is about 5-10 years before its time.

JGrows said:

It's OBVIOUS you know NOTHING about JSU. The school has been EXPANDING since the late 90's. I've seen the opening of the new Walter Payton gym in spring 2006, the opening of the newly renovated Dixon dormitory, the clearing and opening of our four story union with the movie theater in it, the construction and opening of the five story Campbell college apartments on campus, the clearing and construction of the "University Place" apartments on Lynch street, the opening of the "e-center" on campus, the renting to OWNERSHIP of Veterans Memorial Stadium, etc. I came in right after they built the new college of business building and five story library also. After I left they opened the Pizza Hut, Chick Fil A, and Burger King restaurants on campus along with handing out ipads to every individual incoming freshmen in 2012. The school is expanding also with a new campus in North Jackson (Madison county) as we speak. JSU is not your typical SWAC school filled with incompetent leaders/poor budgeting and corruption. I'm pretty sure they had cats like you back then stating figures and talking about how those expansion ideas (made into REALITIES) COULD NOT have been accomplished by an HBCU. Just sit back with the sour face on and watch the school progress further with our Dome stadium.

Jason said:

right!! Not hating at all...but who the hell REALLY believed that JSU would get a DOME stadium on its campus???? DO we know NOTHING about black colleges in todays economy? lol

number1 said:

So how is that going to help them when they play in Baton Rouge and Houston? lol

I can see them getting a scaled down version of it. Maybe a 30,000 stadium which fits with the other top SWAC football programs. No way those folks at Ole Miss, Miss. State, and Southern Miss are going to let that slide with JSU getting a dome. lol
Book said:

nothing wrong with getting a new stadium. its needed in Mississippi its hot as two hells there

Permalink Reply by William Dollar on March 14, 2013 at 6:15pm

maybe they deserve a $200 Mil stadium I don't care how many facts you drop. to run on more than anyone else on the forum from an opposing rival school for no reason at all makes you sound like a hater.

if they get a new stadium, that's good for the,. THEY NEED IT.

Permalink Reply by oldwise2 on March 14, 2013 at 8:18pm

i don't think they need a 200 million dollar domed stadium unless they are trying to attract a Professional sports franchise in the city of Jackson. the new Dymamo/TSU stadium works because soccer is basically a year round sport and TSU (and HBU i guess) is the only school in the city without a stadium of its own on campus

Being that Houston has suburbs the size of Jackson i think it wouldn't work. JSU needs something like a slightly bigger version of the Berry Center

Permalink Reply by Chris on March 15, 2013 at 2:33pm

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130310/BIZ/303100023/JSU-sta...

It’s not clear when a specific proposal for the city’s $10 million contribution will be presented. Johnson laughed and said it would happen “as soon as Jackson State University gets the remaining $190 million.”

Come on JSU, your own local politicians are laughing at you. I know the locals thought the kneegro was on their side.

Permalink Reply by oldwise2 on March 15, 2013 at 5:39pm

wait....
you want to build a 200 million dollar 50k seat dome stadium and you already OWN a 60k seat stadium? couldn't a percentage of that money go to just updating the vet stadium....geez! UH's BRAND NEW stadium is only going to hold 50k...and possibly cost less than JSU's

Permalink Reply by Jose' Kentrell on March 15, 2013 at 9:08pm