Avron Fernandes

As Texas State gears up for competing at football's highest division, the
university is looking at ways to improve its facilities. Avron Fernandes has
more in this Bobcat Update.

The Texas State Board of Regents recently approved plans to construct a new
North Side Complex for Bobcat Stadium. The expansion is expected to cost nearly
33 (M) million dollars and add about 13-thousand seats, bringing the stadium's
capacity up to nearly 30-thousand. The addition will include a Bookstore Fan
Shop and a Strutters Gallery.
Justin Watts, a freshman at Texas State, sees the expansion as a step in the
right direction and a worthwhile investment.
SB - Watts (:10) We can host playoff games. I mean we already do, but we can
host bigger games. Maybe even a state game if our stadium's nice enough.
But the expansion has created some controversy. Some students question the
university's priorities. Philosophy Major Annalisa Turner regards the expansion
as a waste, especially considering how rarely the football team attracts enough
fans to fill the existing stadium.
SB - Turner (:13) It depends on what image of the university you're trying to
portray. If anything, universities are about learning and not about sports. So
maybe they should focus on expanding their departments before sports.
The North Side Complex is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2012
football season.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Avron Fernandes.