Roberston Stadium Photo Thread

[sounderfan]

http://www.houstoncougarsoccercamp.com/Facilities/Robertson%20Stadium/Robertson-From_Top(soccer).jpg

http://www.houstoncougarsoccercamp.com/Facilities/Robertson%20Stadium/Robertson%20Inside%20Goal.jpg

[denver_mugwamp]

Not a bad stadium for an expansion team. Any specifics like capacity, field size, etc? The biggest missing thing seems to be corporate boxes.

[fireman451]

Great stadium since its overhaul back in the late 90's. It seats approx 33,000. The exact seating can be found at the Univeristy of Houston web site I'm sure. The school had the stadium completely renovated and added field side seats (the dark red ones) where the track used to be back in the late 1990's. The University moved the track to its own venue a few blocks away. Pretty much, thanks to John Moores and John O'Quinn (I think), UH was able to upgrade most all of its sports venues (Robertson Stadium; new baseball stadium, new softball stadium, new track & field area, updated Hofheinz and new student recreation center.

I remember when the UH football program moved back to campus from the Astrodome, it was a great. The stadium has also served as the primary venue (or it used ot be) for FMF preseason matches. Parking is okay, and tailgating is permitted.

If Houston were to get MLS, I would love for them to play there. However, unless UH is willing to let the facility go for real cheap, a Houston MLS club would also ned to look at building a SSS for long term viability.

[anderson]

Here are some links from UH:

http://www.uhcougars.collegesports.com/trads/hou-trads-robertson.html

http://www.uh.edu/campus_map/buildings/RS.html

We may be about to re-open the "it's so hot in Houston that people will die if they go to Robertson in the summer" debate, followed by the "UH is in such a bad neighborhood that people will die if they go there" debate. I disagree with both of those positions, but they are the most common objections raised to Robertson and, of course, there are some people who won't go to Robertson for those reasons.

[fireman451]

http://www.houstoncougarswest.com/images/Cougar_Football/2002_Season/Army/Robertson/hcw10043


http://www.houstoncougarswest.com/images/Cougar_Football/2002_Season/Army/Robertson/hcw10045.jpg

http://www.houstoncougarswest.com/images/Cougar_Football/2002_Season/Army/Robertson/hcw10046

[doolittledog2]

Robertson reminds me of a smaller version of the old Foxboro stadium. At least with two stadiums to choose from in Houston, anyone wanting an expansion team or to relocate a team there would be able to play the two places off each other and maybe get a more agreeable rent structure for the team.

[Khan]

Six problems with Robertson:

1. The FURNACE that is Houston summers, and the slow pace of play that would accompany said temperatures.
2. College stadium: Does this mean no beer at matches?
3. Houston summer heat + Field turf= melted boots for the players. [If it happened in Dallas and Naperville, how is this in any way avoidable in Houston?]
4. 33k seats is still far too big for MLS purposes [inability to drive demand, etc...]
5. Not "soccer-specific," nor any league control over revenues, etc...
6. Again, this is a college stadium: Does this mean no beer at matches?

[ElJefe]

3. Houston summer heat + Field turf= melted boots for the players. [If it happened in Dallas and Naperville, how is this in any way avoidable in Houston?]
Robertson has a grass field. Or at least, it did when I last checked.

[fireman451]

1. Agreed. Houston is one, nasty hot and humid bastard. I remember all those summers btwn March and early October during my years there. Night games would offer little reprieve.
2. Maybe beer in the stadium. I know UH sells beer on campus; at the UC and the Hotel college. I'm sure they do.
3. No field turf. Unlike Naperville (where I now live), UH has real grass.
4. 33K is probably too big, I agree. But still not the huge voids offered at NFL stadiums. A temporary solution till a SSS could be built (most likely in the burbs) - unless a real sweetheart deal could be worked out - which I doubt.
5. Agreed; however, unlike SJ State, Robertson has the capacity to fit a larger field, puts the pitch right up against the bleachers (similar to Toluca). Wish I had some shots of the FMF games played at Robertson when I lived in there.
6. Yes, Budweiser is a sponsor at the stadium. Additionally, drinking during tailgating is permitted.

[Khan]

1. Agreed. Houston is one, nasty hot and humid bastard. I remember all those summers btwn March and early October during my years there. Night games would offer little reprieve.
2. No beer in the stadium.
3. No field turf. Unlike Naperville (where I now live), UH has real grass.
4. 33K is probably too big, I agree. But still not the huge voids offered at NFL stadiums. A temporary solution till a SSS could be built (most likely in the burbs) - unless a real sweetheart deal could be worked out - which I doubt.
5. Agreed; however, unlike SJ State, Robertson has the capacity to fit a larger field, puts the pitch right up against the bleachers (similar to Toluca). Wish I had some shots of the FMF games played at Robertson when I lived in there.
6. No beer. Only at the tailgates.

My biggest concerns would be: #2 [no beer], #6 [no beer], and #4. [too big & no control over revenues/scheduling]

However, in light of Mr. Hunt's inability to make a go of it without a SSS, I would be reluctant to move or expand to Houston without a more permanent [And air-conditioned] stadium solution. I have suggested the Astrodome, but barring that white elephant, I'd still be reluctant to move to anywhere in Houston that is open-air.

Thanks for the update on the grasss v field turf @ Robertson. For some reason, I thought that it was plastic @ UH rather than the real stuff.

[fireman451]

Hey Khan, just edited my earlier comment. UH DOES sell beer. Heck, Budweiser is a stadium sponsor.

I drank so much when I was attending UH on campus, that I killed the brain cells that should've reminded me that beer is sold on campus. UH is a state school. BTW, at the UC, they also sell booze (whiskey, tequila, vodka, etc).

Man, it's been a looooooooong time.

[truthandlife]

Robertson would be a great soccer venue. Alexi Lalas played there a few years ago when he was with LA and loved the stadium. He said it reminded him of a European stadium.

The location of the stadium is not that great. Not in a great part of town. I don't think you would have suburbanites flock to the stadium. When there have been Mexican and Latin American games the Latinos have come out in droves.

Everybody complains about the heat but it is no hotter in Houston than it is in other places during the summer. It is humid and hot but so is every other city.

Night games would be great and I bet they would have some pretty raucous crowds at night.

The whole problem with Houston is there is no one who will step up and make the financial commitment in Houston.

[fireman451]

The whole problem with Houston is there is no one who will step up and make the financial commitment in Houston.


BINGO.

I really wish someone in town would step up, McNair isn't the answer, if he was, it would already be done. Matress Mac could be a possibility, but so are all the oil & gas executives in town.

I would love to see my hometown pick up MLS, just not holding my breath.

[anderson]

Night games would be great and I bet they would have some pretty raucous crowds at night.Exactly. I've been there for night games in August in business attire and it was fine. It's not nearly so bad at night. That being said, there are still some people who will find it too hot to be outside at night at say 75 degrees, 68 percent humidity. Those people would probably find other towns more comfortable, but whatever.

The field is grass. Dave Maggard, UH's AD, suggested recently that an MLS team should pay to install FieldTurf at Robertson. No one should get too worked up about anything Maggard says. He has a track record of saying silly things. It's probably just a negotiating ploy, but the bottom line is that UH Athletics' bottom line isn't very good (just like a lot of other schools). They could use some regular rent from that facility.

Robertson isn't perfect, but there isn't an existing perfect facility. Robertson, like the Dome or Reliant, would really have to be just a short-term venue, but it wouldn't be that bad. Any existing facility presents some problems and some benefits.

Other short-term options could include the Rice Track & Soccer Stadium or UH's Lewis Track & Soccer Stadium. Each of those facilities currently has only one stand along one sideline, so you'd need to erect temp seating on the other sideline and ends. I believe that both can currently accommodate about 5,000 people. Each facility would also require adding some fan amenities (more restrooms, concessions). I've watched soccer at both -- RTSS has a new scoreboard, but I don't recall if Lewis has one. Anyway, just a thought.

[truthandlife]

Other short-term options could include the Rice Track & Soccer Stadium or UH's Lewis Track & Soccer Stadium. Each of those facilities currently has only one stand along one sideline, so you'd need to erect temp seating on the other sideline and ends. I believe that both can currently accommodate about 5,000 people. Each facility would also require adding some fan amenities (more restrooms, concessions). I've watched soccer at both -- RTSS has a new scoreboard, but I don't recall if Lewis has one. Anyway, just a thought.

Rice will not let any sports professional franchise use any of their facility. This is Rice's policy.

[anderson]

Rice will not let any sports professional franchise use any of their facility. This is Rice's policy.I don't believe that's the case. The WUSA had at least two exhibitions that I can recall at the RTSS. The Houston Stealth of the National Women's Basketball League (the other women's pro basketball leauge - yes, there are two) played its home schedule at Autry Court. Also, the New England Patriots practiced for the last Super Bowl at Rice Stadium and the football practice fields. (Rice also allows its facilities to be used for high school football and track and has allowed TSU to use Rice Stadium for football.)

[Chesco United]

Super Bowl VIII (Dolphins v. Vikings) was played at Rice Stadium.

[Khan]

Hey Khan, just edited my earlier comment. UH DOES sell beer. Heck, Budweiser is a stadium sponsor.


Well, at least there's beer.... After all, what's soccer without beer?
THAT'S COMMUNISM. No Beer=no fun at the match.

I still reserve my doubts about playing in the Houston heat. Any Saturday afternoon matches in Houston will inhale forcefully; That is, unless they are played in air conditioned comfort. If the 'Stros can't play in the heat, how can the hypothetical Houston Aguilas FC play in the heat?

[mjtate]

Six problems with Robertson:

1. The FURNACE that is Houston summers, and the slow pace of play that would accompany said temperatures.
2. College stadium: Does this mean no beer at matches?
3. Houston summer heat + Field turf= melted boots for the players. [If it happened in Dallas and Naperville, how is this in any way avoidable in Houston?]
4. 33k seats is still far too big for MLS purposes [inability to drive demand, etc...]
5. Not "soccer-specific," nor any league control over revenues, etc...
6. Again, this is a college stadium: Does this mean no beer at matches?

7. UH stigma - Like Anderson said, many people think UH is a dangerous place and that the facilities are second rate. It doesn't really matter that those people are wrong (UH is not in a great neighborhood, but the campus and stadium are plenty safe), but the facilities other than the playing field (concessions, bathrooms, etc.) are pretty crappy. Robertson would be fine if you wanted to focus on the hispanic/hard core soccer fans, but would be a losing proposition if you wanted to extend the reach to the suburban fan base.

I'd like someone to talk about an inside the loop soccer/HS football stadium that could seat around 20K, maybe shared with the team and HISD or something like that. Field would almost have to be field turf because of the traffic, but a deal like that could be the only way to get a stadium done. From HISD's side, they could provide their teams a nice place to play, and host playoff games there instead of the Dome.

[truthandlife]

7. UH stigma - Like Anderson said, many people think UH is a dangerous place and that the facilities are second rate. It doesn't really matter that those people are wrong (UH is not in a great neighborhood, but the campus and stadium are plenty safe), but the facilities other than the playing field (concessions, bathrooms, etc.) are pretty crappy. Robertson would be fine if you wanted to focus on the hispanic/hard core soccer fans, but would be a losing proposition if you wanted to extend the reach to the suburban fan base.

I'd like someone to talk about an inside the loop soccer/HS football stadium that could seat around 20K, maybe shared with the team and HISD or something like that. Field would almost have to be field turf because of the traffic, but a deal like that could be the only way to get a stadium done. From HISD's side, they could provide their teams a nice place to play, and host playoff games there instead of the Dome.

Delmar Stadium would be a great place to play. It is off of 290 and 610. They use to play a few U.S. National team games back in the 80's.

Good central location but the capacity is only 12,000. Would have to be improved. They also have field turf.