Bring more ZOOTV to Penn

Franklin Field should host more events like the recently announced U2 summer concert. The University shouldn't wait for concert promoters to contact them. Instead, Penn should actively market Franklin Field as a concert venue comparable to Veterans Stadium. The 53,000-seat Franklin Field (plus potential field seats) has many advantages as a concert site. It's centrally located in Philadelphia with access to SEPTA stops. And now that renovations have been completed, the stadium has better lighting and modern facilities. Bands that are not likely to sell out the Vet could play at the smaller Franklin Field. During the year, the stadium is used for Penn sports -- football, field hockey games -- and the Penn Relays, not nearly enough use of the facility. More Philadelphians could take advantage of the stadium if concerts were held there. Also, the University would raise a substantial amount of revenue in renting the facility out. At a time when the Athletic Department is looking to build new facilites as well as renovate old ones, extra funds will come in handy. We would love to have concerts at Franklin Field in April, May and September, and many bands are on tour during those months. Students would love to have only to walk down the street to a concert as opposed to finding transportation to the Spectrum. Administrators should definitely try to get bands to choose our stadium over the Spectrum, the Vet and other sites. Hopefully, Bono will be the first of many to sing on our Astroturf with the Philly skyline in the background.