Bringing Down the House

ASU alumnus Alvin New won the chance to change the skyline of San Angelo at the fifth annual Angelo State Athletic Foundation Blue & Gold Dinner and Auction Aug. 14 when he bid $10,500 for the opportunity to push the button that will implode ASU’s 10-story University Hall.

One of two high-rise residence halls on campus, University Hall is scheduled for demolition Sept. 20.  Proceeds from the auction will benefit Ram and Rambelle athletics.

“This is an opportunity to build up our athletic programs by tearing down an outdated campus building,” said ASU President Joseph C. Rallo.  “The highest bidder, Alvin New, will do the honor.”

ASU Athletics Director Kathleen Brasfield said, “We gave new meaning to the idea of a ‘fall’ sale, though I can’t say we are taking it to new heights.  However you describe it, the auction was lot of fun for everyone.”

In addition to the demolition derby, a variety of other goods, services and athletic memorabilia were up for bid.  Among the ASU items for sale were trips with various athletic teams, a chance to be ASU president and athletic director for a day, signed game balls, and other Ram and Rambelle items.  A selection of intercollegiate and professional sports materials were also available as well as art work, hunting trips and various services.

University Hall, long known on campus as the Women’s High Rise, opened in 1968 at a cost of $4 million, or $39.01 per square foot for the 103,883-square-foot building.  The facility was vacated after the summer of 2004 because of the increasing maintenance costs.  Three separate consultant studies showed that both renovation and/or conversion to another use were also cost prohibitive.  The residence hall housed 490 students each semester during its life span.

A contract for the demolition was awarded to ARC Abatement Inc. of Garland earlier this year.  If the demolition schedule holds, University Hall will be imploded shortly after sunrise on Sunday, Sept. 20.