Published: July 02, 2009 09:25 am      

Texas State sees the light

Construction moving along at newly renovated Bobcat Stadium

San Marcos — Construction defines an era, no matter whether it’s a monument or a simple stadium.

Ancient Egyptians etched their way into the Middle Kingdom with the Great Pyramids.

The Romans ascertained their place in the Classical era with the Colosseum.

Texas State is looking to distinguish “The Drive” with the current renovation of Bobcat Stadium.

“There’s no better advertisement for what we’re doing,” Derek Grice, assistant athletic director of facilities and game operations said, “than driving down Aquarena Springs or IH-35 and seeing the west side expansion.”

The additions to Bobcat Stadium are the flashiest psuedo-billboard the Texas State athletic department could have ever conceived.

Texas State did the same thing last fall, but to a smaller extent.

The baseball and softball stadiums were demolished and rebuilt into state-of-the-art facilities. Fans and the general public couldn’t see those upgrades unless they detoured down Charles Austin Drive.

Bobcat Stadium, on the other hand, is a monstrosity poking out of the landscape.

“Every time I go out there to take a look at it, I’m amazed at how big it is,” Texas State athletic director Dr. Larry Teis said. “I had an idea when I first saw the plans, but to really go out there, you need to take a step back.”

Two years ago, Bobcat Stadium was featured on “Friday Night Lights.”

The producers of the show decided to digitally enhance the stadium into a three-deck behemoth. They figured no college stadium should look a notch below a high-end high school football facility.

If Hollywood strolled back into San Marcos, it could use Bobcat Stadium as is.

Construction crews destroyed the previous entrance and built an arch-filled Mecca, which is topped by a new level of luxury suites. There will be 15 luxury suites once the stadium opens for business in September.

Four suites remain for sale with two months to go. They can be had for a three-year lease at the hefty price of $30,000 per year.

“We’ve got some good leads out there at this point that should come through soon,” Don Coryell, assistant athletic director of external operations, said. “We’re hoping not to have any empty suites by the time of our first home game.”

While luxury suites remain a lukewarm commodity, Texas State’s finding its new club seats to be a tough sell.

There will now be 440 club seats above the press box, but below the luxury suite level. If someone is to buy a set of club seats, they’ll receive access to covered seating and a private lounge, among other amenities.

Club seats go for either $1,500 or $2,000 (depending on the location) and are attached to a three-year lease as well. More than 300 remain with two months until opening day.

“We’re struggling with the club seats right now,” Coryell said. “The success we’ve had to this point is selling the luxury suites, but we expect the club sales to pick up soon.”

Steep prices must have a lot to do with the lack of sales, as well as the recession. There simply isn’t as much money going around as there was several years ago.

Yet, even with the slow economy, Teis is confident the suites and seats will sell.

“I have no doubt in my mind that if I took someone up there right now, they’d take four club seats,” Teis said. “It’s that nice and we’re that confident once people see the finished product, they’ll go fast.”

If someone has the money to buy into the new comforts, the product on the field should be enticing enough for them to pull the trigger.

The Bobcat football team is coming off a tremendous season.

Texas State finished 8-5, won the Southland Conference title and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Texas State head coach Brad Wright continues to put his team through tough conditioning drills with hopes of making them smarter, stronger and tougher.

The Bobcats return the core of the offense and defense this season, as Bradley George and Travis Houston are ready for their senior seasons.

George torched opponents with pinpoint accuracy, passing for 2,660 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Houston anchors a Texas State defense in its second season under defensive coordinator Fred Bleil. The senior defensive end collected 59 tackles and a team leading seven sacks in 2008.

It’s going to be a different gameday experience at Bobcat Stadium next year. Not only will the facility be a beacon of hope, but the product on the field will shine just as bright.

“We’re ready to show this thing off,” Grice said. “The guys have done a phenomenal job out there with the schedule as tight as it is. We’re really going to feel proud once we open it on Sept. 5.”