It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like…FOOTBALL!

I have to say, I was feeling a bit out of sorts back in August, a sense that something was missing. My routine was a bit off. There was a void, a feeling of restlessness with too much time on my hands. My best assessment — I was going through HIIT withdrawals, a need for “high intensity immersive treatment.”

There is something to say about how Cindy and I conditioned ourselves, year after year for six consecutive years, scheduling and booking travel during the fall season to watch our sons play college football and a couple of seasons in the XFL/UFL. Over 100 games in over 35 venues later, there was a subconscious yearning for the game day experience, the gridiron, the anticipation of the matchup, the colorful texture of two cultures clashing. That rush of adrenaline, creating memories and fully immersing myself in amplified experiences is what moves me. 

I love it when the unexpected happens. The timing of work-related projects and celebration of the ‘boys of fall,’ aligned in the most beautiful way. A serendipitous overlap of business travel with an indescribable craving for the familiar fuel was just ‘what the doctor ordered.’

Redefining Friday Night Lights

This season’s journey began with a trip to my hometown of El Paso. The recently completed 6,500-seat high school football stadium for Socorro ISD, designed by HKS, was hosting its 2024 season opener in the far west Texas Chihuahuan desert. It had been over a couple of weeks since I was there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and seeing the many smiling faces as they gazed at the unique venue custom-tailored just for them and the many classes to come.

I made it to El Paso the day before the big game to scout photography for an upcoming photo shoot. As I slowly walked around the stadium, I observed how the building forms were taking on the setting sun against the picturesque blue sky layered with large puffy clouds. The Socorro Bulldogs took the field to do their Thursday walkthroughs, and I was overcome with chills and flashbacks, wishing I was 18 once again suiting up to rehash the wonderful memories I’ve carried with me for almost forty years. 

It got real on Friday evening as I tapped into my anthropologist side. Joined by my brother, Christian, I have always enjoyed watching people, emblazoned in their colors as they take over the venue — moving through gates, grabbing snacks at food trucks, watching the band, warmups, the teams rushing the field as they move through their oversized inflatable mascots, and the unchoreographed, unrehearsed use of the facility. The dramatic sky brought on a downpour only to dampen the experience, but I was thankful for yet another opportunity to capture the emotion of people moving through our venues.

Next Level Take Flight

As I headed to the El Paso International Airport for a 5 a.m. flight, the beautiful silhouette of the Franklin Mountains interrupted the horizon in an intimate and memorable way.  

Climbing fast to an elevation 6,000 feet above sea level, my trip to Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy, was sweetened by having my bride join me. Cindy was experiencing similar withdrawals, and she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be in the NCAA experience. The highlight was the season opener at Falcon Stadium showcasing the new HKS-designed east club, the Kucera Legacy Center. 

A bit different from most college towns, the rolling landscape of the Springs, combined with the panoramic views and crisp air, conjured up flashbacks of the many cities and college towns we visited over the years. More specifically, reminiscent to last season’s trip to Boulder to watch the Huskers take on the Buffaloes. Pulling up to the hotel, we see the Air Force team buses. Team logos on apparel and the busy pregame feel is streaming at a high level. 

“Make the experience bigger than the game”

The inevitable lines of traffic to get to a parking spot and the anxiety that sets in is erased by acknowledging that we are in this place and it’s beginning of a new season. The hype is in effect — Aggies and the Irish, Gators and the Hurricanes, Tigers and the Trojans. It’s a great day for some college football as my HKS crew of Eric Nelson, his daughter, Hannah, and 

Chris Webb makes its way through the classic white tailgate tents, the music, the food and people playing games. All anyone can feel is joy and laughter. 

The new east club design has transformed the arrival experience to Falcon Stadium. Having been there a few years ago for an NHL Winter Classic, the stadium was in dire need of new amenities and this new addition was enjoyed by many.

As we make our way through the gates, we can’t help but have our heads on a swivel observing the new work. We’re approached by Keith with Cool Beads, aka “The ice cream guy.” He has his product in all venues in the state of Colorado and could not stop boasting about the new addition. Young cadets in blue uniforms on family weekend infused the seating bowl recalling our personal experiences at Naval Academy and Virginia Military Institute. Cindy’s Nebraska Cornhusker-branded purse caught the attention of a Nebraska-born track and field athlete and led to a nice conversation as we were making our way up the western grandstand to gain a different vantage point of the new addition. The National Anthem, the parachuters, the flyovers, and the generations of rich tradition never gets old. As I chatted with former Dallas Cowboys great and Air Force Cadet, Chad Hennings, this project implies powerful momentum and is truly a legacy project — a moment that falls in line with another unique intervention, first for us — a 1 of1 for both Air Force and HKS. 

Further Ascension 

Completely unplanned and unexpected, I was contacted by my alma mater, the University of Texas at Arlington, and got invited to Globe Life Field for a Rangers game — it was UTA night at the ballpark. After meeting key stakeholders including University President, Dr. Cowley; Athletics Director, Jon Fagg; baseball head coach, Mike Trapasso; longtime virtual acquaintance Roman Herrington, development and alumni relations. I also connected with some interesting people like Mike Dolabi, Autobody parts guru and Jessi Jenison, a high-flying pilot. Great evening making solid connections and a Rangers win. 

The following morning, I was lifting off once again on my way to Los Angeles for a weeklong trip with our client, Futeca Corporation. This whirlwind trip began with a tour of our latest NFL venue, SoFi Stadium . While void of 70,000 plus screaming fans, the attendees were impressed by the stadium’s low scale, artistic form and, after climbing up to the highest corner seat to take a view from what was perceived to be the worst seat in the house, they thought it was incredible. The view to the field was framed by the suspended video board and offered visual connection to the surrounding context and the California breezes.

The following day we got a great inside look at Crypto.com Arena’s current renovations and rounded out with a visit to Cosm , an immersive experience where Nebraska played host to Colorado. It was my first time watching a football game at the Dome and many fans were decked out in their team colors. I couldn’t help but cheer for my son, Marco’s, former team — Go Big Red!

Back to SoFi Stadium for the Raiders vs. Chargers kick-off game for the 2024 NFL season, I watched the venue come to life. From California to Nevada, we made our way to Las Vegas to get a sneak peek of Allegiant Stadium and the Sphere. Two different offerings and both making their respective formal marks on the Nevada landscape. I have to say, after averaging over 10,000 steps a day, I was feeling a bit tired.

The Show Must Go On

We arrive in Dallas and after shuttles and rental cars, we arrive in Arlington where we strolled around the emerging destination. We caught a good sense of Texas-Live!, the Loews Hotels, and the Globe Life Field Plaza prior to making our way to AT&T Stadium to watch the Mexico versus Canada soccer match. I had never seen the venue in soccer mode filled with over 32,000 fans all mostly cheering for Mexico. We’ll be coming back to see the improvements or ‘refresh’ we’ve made to the west side of the stadium.  

I’ll have to reengage soon to share my upcoming experiences over the next couple of days as we tour other HKS-designed venues: Green Day concert at Globe Life Field, Dickies Arena, and Amon G. Carter Stadium at TCU. We’ll also visit the American Airlines Center, Victory Plaza, the W Hotel, and other key public spaces around town before we close out this incredible learning experience.

I reflect on how much ground I’ve covered in a short amount of time, a dozen venues in different cities, high school to college to professional. Regardless of level or scale of venue, there is always a drive and sense of amplifying the spectrum of experiences. I love what I do. I can honestly say I got the dose of energy I subconsciously was yearning for and I’m thankful I am able to share with you.