The University of Cincinnati (UC) athletic director, Mike Bohn, and coach, Tommy Tuberville, unveiled the newly renovated Nippert Stadium on April 23 to the media.

The stadium’s $86 million renovation and expansion will increase seating from 35,000 to 40,000.

“It includes a structure on the west side that stretches for almost 130 yards and rises five stories above the stadium concourse,” Bill Koch reported for GoBEARCATS.com. “It contains four levels–a press and operations suite with seating for 100 reporters, a suite level, patio suites level, and scholarship club seats level.

“UC will go from having almost no premium seating options to the addition of 1,100 scholarship club suites and more than 50 indoor and outdoor suites of varying sizes,” Koch continued. “In addition, the concourses on both sides of the stadium have been widened and furnished with new restrooms and concession facilities.”

Working in conjunction with UC’s Office of Planning, Design and Construction, the Architect of Record for the project is Heery International. Architecture Research Office is the design architect, and Turner Construction Company is the construction manager.

Tuberville had praise for Turner Construction.

“They’ve put together what’s going to be, and will be for a long time, the best on-campus and prettiest on-campus stadium that you’ll see,” Tuberville said. “And I’ve been in most of them around the country.”

Nippert Stadium is set to reopen on September 5.

(Image: University of Cincinnati)

Exchanging ideas and best practices with members is one of IAVM’s hallmarks, and nowhere is that more prevalent than on VenueNet. Not only is it a great place to pose questions and receive answers, it can also contribute to your overall well-being.

According to a new study in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, online forums offer benefits for individuals and society as a whole.

The study found that approximately 10 percent of online users in the U.K. participate in an online forum, whereas 20 percent in the U.S. do.

“Our findings paint a more optimistic picture of old-style online discussion forums,” said lead author Dr. Louise Pendry from the University of Exeter in the U.K. “Often we browse forums just hoping to find answers to our questions. In fact, as well as finding answers, our study showed users often discover that forums are a source of great support, especially those seeking information about more stigmatizing conditions. Moreover, we found that users…who engaged more with other forum users showed a greater willingness to get involved in offline activities related to the forum, such as volunteering, donating or campaigning.”

Forum users who get more involved develop strong links with other users, said Dr. Jessica Salvatore of Sweet Briar College in Virginia.

“They come to see themselves as more identified with other forum users,” Salvatore said. “And then these more identified users see the greatest benefits, in terms of positive links with mental health and getting involved offline. In a nutshell, the more users put into the forum, the more they get back, and the pay-off for both users themselves and society at large can be significant.”

If you haven’t participated on VenueNet, please do so. Not only is it good for the industry, it’s good for your health.

(Image: SumAll/Creative Commons)

Some of you, like me, may have never heard of Jorkyball. Well, get ready, because I’m about to tell you about it.

It was invented in Europe in the late 1980s. It’s a two-person-to-a-side football (soccer) game played in a 10-meter x 5-meter court surrounded by 3-meter high walls. And it may be a great revenue generator for your venue.

“Jorkyball can be played in any indoor sport or leisure space and offers a unique new way for venues to increase revenues and attract new customers,” PanStadia & Arena Management magazine reported. “It can also be used as part of a fan engagement program for cities hosting major sporting events.”

The Jorkyball International Federation World Competitions are set for May. Keep an eye out on this sport, as it’s starting to gain traction around the world, and due to its playing field size it’s something that I think a lot of venues could include in their floor plans.

To feel the excitement, check out the video below.

(Image: 3bble)

There was a lot of talk at the 2015 Performing Arts Managers Conference about how to attract new guests and engage younger audiences. Several great ideas were offered, such as pushing for more arts appreciation in grade schools and presenting programs outside a venue’s walls and in communities. Specifically, though, how does one attract millennials?

Eventbrite has some answers, and it’s found it the company’s report, “The Art of Attraction: How to Grow Your Millennial Arts Audience.” Let’s take a look at some of the findings (quotes are from the report’s overview).

Millennials are Social Creatures Looking to Mingle
“[Forty-two percent] of this generation said they’d prefer going to events where they get to meet new people, and 32 percent would go to more events if there were people their age or friends in attendance. Adding a social component, like a happy hour or reception, would inspire 23 percent of millennials to frequent more arts events.”

Dress Code is a Form of Self-expression for Millennials
“Millennials embrace the tradition and formality around arts events and appreciate the opportunity to dress to impress at fancier gatherings—35 percent of millennials would rather attend an arts event that’s formal instead of casual. Nearly half of millennials (49 percent) even said they think performing and visual arts events are not dressy enough. While formality can be a draw for some millennials, they don’t want to be forced into a tux. [Sixty-three percent] of millennials would prefer events without the rules of a dress code.”

The Way to Millennials’ Hearts is Through Their Mouths
“Two in three (66 percent) millennials prefer arts events that have food, and over half (58 percent) prefer events that serve alcohol. [Thirty-one percent] of millennials would attend more arts events if they could nosh and sip on something during the show.”

Millennials Love Experiences With a Twist
“[Sixty-three percent] of millennials prefer events that are different from other events they’ve attended, and 29 percent would go to more events if they were held in a unique or unexpected venue. Some millennials are even craving a closer, more interactive look at the performing and visual arts world. [Forty-three percent] would prefer to attend events that incorporate audience participation.”

For Millennials, Offline = Out of Touch
“Many members of this generation actually would steer clear of events that don’t have a website (30 percent), Facebook or Twitter page (20 percent), or a YouTube page (19 percent). If events aren’t online, how are social-happy millennials supposed to do their research and spread the word to friends?”

Please view the full report to learn more findings from the study.

(Top image: s.yume via photopin cc; bottom image: Eventbrite)

South African online university GetSmarter would like you to know that “if we’ve learned anything from watching Game of Thrones, it’s that power resides where men believes it resides.”

Now, I’m not a Game of Thrones reader or viewer, however I get the point: a title doesn’t define a leader.

According to GetSmarter in its slideshow, “11 Ways to be Seen as a Leader at Work,” a leader is a set of inspiring practices, behaviors, characteristics, habits, beliefs, and actions.

Check out the university’s slideshow below, which offers several good tips on how to become a leader and how to be a better leader.