Horton future

[isusprtsman]

Now that we are getting a new Indoor facility for the majority of our teams on campus what does this mean for Hortons future. I think that the new AD should consider turning it into a state of the art indoor track and field facility. It has the space to add a banked track over the current track so there would be no need to redo the current floor and you can leave it as the track surface. However you would have to redo the bleachers that hang over the current track to make it more spectator friendly. But given the stands and the space of Horton I think this would be a good idea to consider. Adding a banked indoor facility would attract schools to come to more meets and the IHSA could host their indoor state meet there. It would be the only banked indoor in the central Illinois area with the only other being at the new gatley park in Chicago. I am a ISU sports management student so I have a lot of ideas about ways to better the ISU athletic facilities if anyone would like to hear my entire plan I can create a new thread for that.

 

[DBird]

Now that we are getting a new Indoor facility for the majority of our teams on campus what does this mean for Hortons future. I think that the new AD should consider turning it into a state of the art indoor track and field facility. It has the space to add a banked track over the current track so there would be no need to redo the current floor and you can leave it as the track surface. However you would have to redo the bleachers that hang over the current track to make it more spectator friendly. But given the stands and the space of Horton I think this would be a good idea to consider. Adding a banked indoor facility would attract schools to come to more meets and the IHSA could host their indoor state meet there. It would be the only banked indoor in the central Illinois area with the only other being at the new gatley park in Chicago. I am a ISU sports management student so I have a lot of ideas about ways to better the ISU athletic facilities if anyone would like to hear my entire plan I can create a new thread for that.

There is no “IHSA Indoor” state track meet!

 

[TIMMY]

There is no “IHSA Indoor” state track meet!

@DBird, didn't Coughlan host an unofficial sort of indoor meet back in the day. I know we sent some kids down there.

Anyway, it's a 200-meter track. It would be a more attractive meet if it were 300. I really like the idea because a big "state" meet would bring a lot of athletes to campus.

Welcome, @isusprtsman!

 

[DBird]

@DBird, didn't Coughlan host an unofficial sort of indoor meet back in the day. I know we sent some kids down there.

Anyway, it's a 200-meter track. It would be a more attractive meet if it were 300. I really like the idea because a big "state" meet would bring a lot of athletes to campus.

Welcome, @[COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 0)]isusprtsman[/COLOR]!

Oh don’t get me wrong. I’m 100% for making it the best state of the art indoor track facility there is. Book me Dano!!! Or Timmo!!
Just saying IHSA does not do that.
Illinois Wesleyan hosts the “Illinois Top Times” meet usually around spring break just before outdoor season. If Horton could update I’m sure they would/could do it there. I’m with you on that.
Yes he did host a big HS meet I took some relay girls to it also. They did well ended up 9th place in state outdoor that year.
300 M would be sweet and as I remember Horton I’m sure they have room.

 

[TIMMY]

Thank you @DBird for lending us your knowledge and expertise. You are a gentleman and a scholar.

 

[DBird]

Thank you @DBird for lending us your knowledge and expertise. You are a gentleman and a scholar.

Putting my boots on its getting deep in here!

 

[Redbird222]

There is no “IHSA Indoor” state track meet!

Do they still run the Illinois Top Prep Times meet at illinois Wesleyan? It was an invitation that acted like the unofficial state meet. I haven't had a track athlete in high school for about 6 years so not sure if this still exists or not.

 

[Redbird222]

All the MVC confernece indoor meets use to be at the UNI dome. If you could meet the conference standards it would be an opportunity to host that meet at least every other year assuming UNI is still the only university that can still host.

 

[DBird]

Do they still run the Illinois Top Prep Times meet at illinois Wesleyan? It was an invitation that acted like the unofficial state meet. I haven't had a track athlete in high school for about 6 years so not sure if this still exists or not.

Yes it does.

 

[jbird]

Yes, the John Coughkan Relays were held in Horton very early in the high school track season.

 

[jbird]

Sorry, John Coughlan

 

[jbird]

I STILL didn't get it right.

John Coughlan was the longtime track coach.

The track meets in Horton were the Joe Cogdal Relays.

 

[Birgs]

Why can't that be the Men's (86 the North Gym to Rec sports/intramurals), Women's Hoops, Volleyball, and Gymnastics permanent venue?

The overhang of the bleachers and the corners are ridiculous. Having ran them and maintained them. No way you're getting a big-time invite.

 

[jbird]

Why can't that be the Men's (86 the North Gym to Rec sports/intramurals), Women's Hoops, Volleyball, and Gymnastics permanent venue?

The overhang of the bleachers and the corners are ridiculous. Having ran them and maintained them. No way you're getting a big-time invite.

Are YOU going to be the one who fields the inquiries about why women's sports are being moved from a state-of-the-art modern facility to a second class facility???

Good luck with that in 2022.

 

[Birgs]

No, sir. I'm realistic. You and some others on here seem to have an agenda fueled with angered boredom.

 

[Birgs]

I covered, promoted and followed ISU women's sports at my utmost over the years and will continue to do so in hopes my daughters will Spread the Red if opportunity and/or choice provides.

My comment was that Horton is a dying building. I worked it. I cleaned it. I saw its cracks. I never had the chance to see a game there. The stories of the atmosphere there are remarkable. It would be cool for some of my prior generation to have a "turn back the clock" sort of event against one of our "lesser" non-cons (I know the court can be set up) ...and eventually have that as your footprint for a new all-purpose indoor facility.

But what do I know...

 

[jbird]

No, sir. I'm realistic. You and some others on here seem to have an agenda fueled with angered boredom.

First, I am neither angry nor bored; can't/won't speak for "some others."
Like you, I worked in Horton. In my case, for both ISU intramurals and during my part-time work for Normal U-High Athletics. Unlike you, I DID see many, many Redbird games at Horton, from the first home game of my freshman year to the final game in Horton (a loss to DePaul).

For years I have wished that Horton could once again host an ISU game, as you suggested, maybe a non-con opponent for a game that would draw no more than 4,000.

I candidly have no idea if there are insurance or any other obstacles that would make such an event cost prohibitive.

I was merely responding to your musing about moving women's volleyball and basketball from Redbird Arena to Horton and stating the obvious.........that it ain't gonna happen.

I fon't know how that Captain Obvious conclusion is angered and bored.

 

[isuquinndog]

And it shouldn't happen. What is gained by moving womens basketball and volleyball there? Only negative press about moving the womens sports out of a perfectly fine arena that is good enough for mens to a much lesser gym and locker rooms for really no reason. It will never happen and it should never happen.

Something has to be done with Horton. Moving games in it's present condition isn't the answer.

 

[Bdub777]

I have said this before, but if they could make the indoor track usable for meets again, that would be great. Pool is also in need of improvement.

 

[cubird]

Somewhere I read the AD saying that the IPF would not be our last project. Am sure he would accept Birgs generous gift to get the Horton complex replaced. Wonder if a facility could also get some funding from the University if it was also used for academics and campus rec.