Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Flint Considers Atwood Stadium Deal with Kettering University

John F. Kennedy campaigning in Flint at Atwood Stadium in 1960. (Photo from Scharchburg Archives)

Kettering University seems poised to acquire Atwood Stadium from the City of Flint. Roberto Acosta of The Flint Journal reports:
Kettering University has confirmed they are talking with the Atwood Stadium Authority about a potential purchase of the 84-year-old stadium.

"As part of Kettering University's ongoing commitment to the city of Flint and the University Corridor, Kettering officials have agreed to have preliminary discussions with the Atwood Stadium Authority about Atwood Stadium," reads a statement from the university.


15 comments:

  1. Not the worst thing in the world, provided the city actually sells it and doesn't just give it away.

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  2. What will they use it for?

    They're not exactly known for having competitive intercollegiate sports programs.

    I'm just curious.

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    1. Good question. Typical of any big deal in Flint these days that involves city assets, there appears to be very little information available. I wonder if this is the result of having an Emergency Financial Manager who is not required to inform the public of anything.

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  3. Monteith St. ClairApril 2, 2013 at 4:25 PM

    Over 90% of Kettering's student body are virgins. There is no way they could make proper use of a sports facility unless it involved some dweeby stuff like solar car races or championship cup stacking. NERDS!!!!!

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    1. Forest Hill Forest HillApril 5, 2013 at 5:08 AM

      If what Monteith St. Clair said about 90% of Kettering students is true, it illustrates two of the biggest problems of our society today-getting smart people fairly compensated and getting them to procreate. They have tried to bring this to light on the top rated TV show, "The Big Bang Theory". The show is now becoming light on theory and big on bang, but that is exactly what has to happen to return our city and country to the unquestionable leadership position in the world that it once enjoyed. The Gershwins said it best, "Your daddy's rich, and your mama's good looking." Leonard and Penny MUST marry and have children. Make that happen and the rest of our society will take care of itself.

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    2. It seemed that the Tech guys got all of the good looking women when I lived in the neighborhood in the 60s and 70s. There is nothing like a paycheck from a GM co-op job, a nice car and a potential for future income to get one in the arms of the opposite sex. Of course, the scale has leveled itself out, with no GM backing for Kettering and the Co-Ed student population. Maybe TODAY is the time to grow up down near the stadium as a young man. Women with earning potential are really attractive.

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  4. Do they even have sports teams? Why would they want an aging municipal stadium?

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  5. My guess is that there aren't many parcels hitting the market near Kettering that are large enough to accommodate a commercial establishment's minimum requirements for parking, etc. Maybe the EM has decided that the Atwood property needs to be on the fire sale list, and Kettering wants to own it to pre-empt having to cooperate with some other owner that might see it as a good location for an adult entertainment facility, etc.

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  6. If they can have repeat performance of the:
    Pat Benetar, Eddie Money, Journey concert I saw there in 1980, then I am all for it.
    That even was too cool.

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  7. Kettering does have hockey... not sure about any other sports, though.

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  8. So in the pic, is that Soapy Williams to Kennedy's right? And who's that to his left...Charles Mobley?

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  9. That is quite an interesting photo Gordy.

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  10. Kettering Can't participate in intercollegiate sports due to rotational schedule. They have intramural teams for all other sports, football, soccer, softball ect where they play against each other.

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  11. Just felt that I needed to add my 2 cents. As a somewhat recent Kettering grad, there are still lots of girls going after that type of guy. But we don't publicize our actions as loudly as other groups. A GM co-op job is still a high paying co-op job and very desirable. Hockey is one of the only teams sports they have. But they do have a lot of intramural teams. That being said, they have their own field for those. I think this is more of a property acquisition in the interest of the city.
    Kettering likes to think they are doing their part and then some to keep its neighborhood, and by extension University drive safe. But if they begin to secure the property and parking lot, does that mean students wont be able to use the parking lot for donuts, and inpromptu autocross?

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    1. > But if they begin to secure the property and parking lot, does that mean students wont be able to use the parking lot for donuts, and inpromptu autocross? <

      Maybe Kettering should have a skidpad.

      Hey, it's an engineering tool, right?

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Thanks for commenting. I moderate comments, so it may take a while for your comment to appear. You might enjoy my book about Flint called "Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City," a Michigan Notable Book for 2014 and a finalist for the 33rd Annual Northern California Book Award for Creative NonFiction. Filmmaker Michael Moore described Teardown as "a brilliant chronicle of the Mad Maxization of a once-great American city." More information about Teardown is available at www.teardownbook.com.