Concert at Kelly/Shorts Stadium a possibility
University officials and registered student organizations are discussing a possible big-name concert at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Jeff Caponigro, Board of Trustees vice chair, presented the idea Wednesday at the trustees-student liaison committee meeting in the Bovee University Center’s President’s Conference Room.
He is pushing for the university to bring outdoor concerts to campus because of the addition of lights at Kelly/Shorts.
“It would be a good revenue producer and a good way to attract some more attention to Central Michigan University,” Caponigro said.
Caponigro suggested the proposed concert to be scheduled for September.
“We are given only a small window next year,” Caponigro said. “It would have to be done after the Boston College game (Aug. 31) and before the weather gets cold,” he said.
John Kulhavi, Board of Trustees chairman, also has shown interest in bringing a big event to Kelly/Shorts Stadium, which holds 30,199 people.
“We will have the largest concert venue in mid-Michigan,” Kulhavi said. “This would be a huge step forward (for Central Michigan University).”
The board approved the $650,000 project of installing stadium lights in February.
The money raised from the proposed concert will go toward paying off the lights, Kulhavi said.
Kulhavi said the concert is not a board decision, but should rather be a decision made by students.
Program Board and On The Fly Productions have discussed the idea of co-sponsoring such an event.
Jack Schuett, Redford senior and Program Board president, said this has been an idea of his for several years.
“It’s something we could start looking at for the fall,” Schuett said.
He said it probably is not going to happen this fall, but he would not rule it out completely.
Schuett said Athletics Director Dave Heeke has given permission to hold a concert on Kelly/Shorts’ field.
Saginaw sophomore Kyle Vandeventer, who will serve as Program Board’s vice president next year, said he is going to make sure this concert happens within the next two years.
“I don’t know if it’s feasible next year, but I’m going to try as hard as possible to get it,” Vandeventer said.
Lonnie Scott, Willis graduate student and OTF student adviser, said finding a big-name artist to come to campus will not be an issue.
September is a good time to bring in musicians because that is when most of them are on tour, Scott said.
Dan Nowiski, Harbor Beach senior and Student Government Association president-elect, said the issue of bringing a big-name concert to Kelly/Shorts Stadium is something which has been discussed in recent SGA meetings.
Nowiski showed confidence in bringing the concert to campus next fall with the addition of the stadium lights.
“It looks like things are falling into place, logistically,” Nowiski said.
