Pros and cons of enclosing the west end zone of Sanford Stadium

The open end zone is a topic of debate around Georgia football and Sanford Stadium expansion conversations. Should it be closed to add thousands of more seats, or remained opened to keep the view of the University of Georgia campus.

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Sanford Stadium has grown up a lot in its 88 year history. At first it was just the two stands on each side built on a hill. Then it was “double-decked” in the 1960’s. In the 1980’s the west end zone was enclosed.

Eventually permanent stands were added to he east side. But instead of building the upper deck in that end zone, the stands were built shorter than rest of the bottom deck. The reasoning was to give people in the stadium a look at the campus, and vice versa.

Since the east end zone stands were added, the Stadium has not stopped growing. A top deck was added to the north sideline and the sky suits were added to the south.

Now Sanford Stadium has a seating capacity of 92,746 fans which is fifth in the SEC behind Texas A&M (105,512), Tennessee (102,455), LSU (102,321), Alabama (101,821). But it’s obvious that enclosing the east end zone of Sanford Stadium would push the capacity well over 100,000 and up a few spots on that list.

Last year the school approved the West End Zone Project that would bring a new dressing room, recruiting room and other updates to that side of Sanford Stadium. But “double decking” the west end zone is not a part of the plan. UGA President Here Morehead even assures that picturesque view of the campus would not be affected.

But should they enclose the end zone? Or should Georgia look to add seating elsewhere to Sanford Stadium when it comes time to expand?