Column: Stadium builds excitement, not more pressure

[BostonZip]

By Patrick McManamonBeacon Journal staff writer The theory is pretty simple, really.New stadium. New expectations. New levels of pressure for the guy who lives daily with pressure — the coach.But Zips coach J.D. Brookhart swatted that theory aside like he was swatting a mosquito.Coaches coach to win every day, every game, he said.That's the same whether it's a new stadium or an old one, whether it's year one, three, 33 or 493 (which it seems it is for the coach of the Zips' opening opponent Saturday afternoon — one Joe Paterno).''The goal is to win every week,'' Brookhart said Monday at the team's first regular pregame news conference. ''It's why you're in the business. You're in it to compete.''Even if your stadium is brand spanking new.The media was given a tour of InfoCision Stadium after Brookhart's news conference.And it's well deserving of any accolades thrown its way. It's a gem — and could serve as a model for smaller schools pondering a new facility.The stadium has NFL-quality press box, suite and club-seat levels. Most important for the average Joe or Jan, seating is intimate.Any and all tickets place you right on top of the play. It's akin to being seated just off the field, because it pretty much is right off the field.The general-admission seating might be the best bargain in town. For $15, fans can sit anywhere they want in the upper section of the visitors side of the field. Arrive early, and the 50-yard line seats are there for the taking.UA officials say there are plenty of general-admission season tickets left, which is a bit of a mystery, given the value.It's against this backdrop that the Zips open.Read the column here.