(Courtesy of Flicker)
The freshmen may not see it, but practically every returning SMU student does. What had been a vintage pub-style space lined with old dark wood, welcoming booths, and a hum of conversations and warmth last spring, is now a vast room with scattered seating and harsh lighting.
There it is, the former hotspot, sitting in all of its fluorescent, humdrum glory.
“I used to come here all the time,” said senior Brandon Frier. “But now it just looks like a high school cafeteria.”
This is the Varsity center. The old student haven is now in a state of transition. Management’s vision of the new Varsity center is a more modern take while maintaining a traditional touch. Renovations for the new Varsity center began in the beginning of summer. The goal was to be completed before the 2013 school year. However, things didn’t go according to plan due to sufficient funding and lack of coherence with partnerships.
Students are disappointed in its current condition. And so are administrators.
“The thing I’m most disappointed about is that we wanted it done before the school year began,” said Richard Owens, Director of Hughes-Trigg Student Center.
These days many students aren’t even aware of the renovation plan. They stroll into the Varsity center with books tucked under their arms, perhaps a crumpled Chick-Fil-A bag in hand, and maybe a slippery cup of iced Coke in the other. They only need to take their eyes off their balancing act for one moment to stop in their tracks.
“When I heard ‘remodel’ I thought it would be better than Café 101,” said SMU senior Mary Jordan Higgins as she looked up from her lunch one day recently and gazed over the room.
“They definitely downgraded it, not upgraded,” she said and let out an exasperated laugh. “This is just awful.”
It isn’t pretty now, but the final operation will be an upgrade, according to Owens.
“Heck, I walk in there and say this is so boring and bland,” said Owens.
“But it’s easy for me to move past that because I know what is coming.”
So, there’s the big question. What is coming?
The renovations for the new Varsity center keep the sports pub affect and SMU local feel and yet also meet a modern edginess.
Owens sprawled out a design blue print across his desk in his office. He pointed to the paper and showed how gutting out the old booths over the summer created more space. He also pointed to where he wanted to place the new bar stools and tables. He even produced a sample piece of the color that was chosen for the new countertops – a Mustang red.
But what would a sports pub be without some television screens?
How about a ninety-inch plasma screen television flanked by two sixty-inch screens on the back wall for starters? In the design, the ninety-inch is the main attraction and centered on the back wall.
Many students however, are more concerned with maintaining comfort and space.
“It’s not as cozy anymore,” said junior Blossom Bologna, “And it definitely looks smaller.”
Owens shared the same doubts when starting the project. The original Varsity center contained an elevated level that wrapped around the back of the room.
“Our biggest concern was the spacing,” he said. “It felt awkward with the higher level deck and it was underutilized space”
According to Owens, eliminating the upper deck has now allowed room for a stage. A student Salsa Dancing club has already showed interest in reserving this space once it opens. He also plans to have live comedians, bands and more late night programs to come alive in the Varsity.
But ultimately the life of the Varsity is in the hands of the students.
“The potential in Varsity is unlimited, “Owens explained. “Honestly, it’s not up to us. It’s up to the students to drive this thing.”
If the football team is having an away game, he hopes there will be watch parties. The flat screens can also be used for presentations.
Although the new Varsity has plans to stay up-to-date, history is also part of the design.
“The theme is ‘Our Past Meets Present,” said Owens.
The theme may sound familiar because Owens has been involved in other renovations such as Café 101, the M Lounge, and Centennial Hall.
“The plan is you can walk into the Varsity and see history and present at once,” he said. “That way it’s something that all students, faculty, staff and alumni can relate to.
Owen’s vision consists of giant foam board pictures of SMU events such as Celebration of Lights or Boulevarding displayed throughout the room. He also plans to display items like a set of drums from the SMU band, and a pair of cleats from a football player, along with other Mustang memorabilia.
There are six themes that Owens and his team will want to highlight in the Varsity center: student life and campus, athletics, annual events and traditions, graduation, Greek life, and famous alumni.
“Nothing is set in stone but it would be nice to get the creator of TOMS shoes to donate a pair of shoes,” he said. TOMS is a renowned shoe company created by former Mustang Blake
Mycoskie that donates a pair of shoes for every pair sold.
Owens points out that these contributions would not only reinforce a Mustang pride for students and alumni, but for future Mustangs as well.
“Parents visiting with their kids can look at these contributions made by former Mustangs and say, ‘That could be my kid one day.'”
SMU students will have to wait until spring ’13 for the final result – at least that’s the goal.
“It took way longer than anticipated,” he said. “The challenges are, unless you have unlimited funds, it’s not going to go the way you plan.”
The management of Varsity and Owens were working with a budget that has run dry but have contacted Student Senate and partnerships to make the new Varsity vision become a reality.
Until then, students are playing a waiting game that has left them with doubts.
“I feel like they should’ve never messed with it,” said senior Holly Baird.
Others feel like it’s going to be worth the wait.
“It definitely sounds like a good idea,” said senior Christie Catgrove “It’s just a matter of executing it.”
