By Carly Laucella
Staff Writer
Baylor’s McLane Stadium has been nominated for “Stadium of the Year 2014” by Stadium Database, an entity that presents stadiums in unique ways, according to their website.
Now it’s up to fans of the “Palace on the Brazos” to help decide whether or not the stadium will win the competition.
“This is an amazing time to be a Baylor Bear, and it’s gratifying that McLane Stadium would be recognized from halfway around the globe as one of the top new stadiums in the world,” said Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president for media communications.
“Baylor Nation is incredibly proud of the university and of McLane Stadium, and we know that they love to share that pride in their university by letting others know about it.”
The 32 participants in this year’s edition are from countries in South America, Europe, Asia and the United States. McLane Stadium is one of only three stadiums nominated from the United States.
To receive a nomination, the stadium must have been completed in the year of the competition, had a major event that was open to the public and had a football or soccer game take place. Ballparks and indoor arenas are not able to participate in the competition.
“Our competition isn’t commercial, it’s mostly about recognition,” said Michał Karaś, editor-in-chief of the site. “We genuinely want to appreciate good practices in stadium design.”
In order to win the title, the stadium will have to receive the most votes. Baylor students, faculty and Wacoans are urged to support their stadium and vote to bring this accolade home to Waco.
“This recognition puts the spotlight on a unique public-private partnership for which we are deeply grateful,” Fogleman said.
Aside from the public vote, the stadium will also have the chance to win “Best Stadium Design,” which will be decided by a jury. A select panel of architects who have not been involved with any of the nominated stadiums, select a stadium based on the stadium’s design and execution of that design.
“With Waco the entire stadium’s configuration and brilliant landscaping make it stand out pretty clearly. This stadium doesn’t look like another ‘event machine’, it’s more like a favorite leisure destination, on matchday or on a weekday,” Karaś said.
For a link to the competition
visit baylorlariat.com/news.
