September Athletics Construction Roundup

The Athletics Construction Roundup is a monthly series on construction of athletics facilities. Each month I’ll provide you with a list of athletic construction projects in progress (and recently completed) across the country, including details on budget and scope of the project.

Oklahoma State University
Work continues on the previously announced Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center. The 50,000 square foot facility is on track for completion by the spring 2014.

University of Maine
Maine will play over half of its men’s and women’s basketball games at the new Cross Insurance Center. The new arena will open in September and is owned by the city of Bangor.

University of Delaware
Delaware will add a state outline to its football field. The field design is part of a larger “First State” campaign.

University at Albany
This article examines the progress that Albany’s football program has made and the process that the athletic department went through to build Bob Ford Field. The stadium will open in September and details on the finishing touches can be found here.

Tulane University
Tulane AD Rick Dickson gives an update on the progress of Yulman Stadium and announces that the project is still on pace to be completed by the start of the 2014 football season in this video.

University of Cincinnati
As Nippert Stadium undergoes a renovation, the Bearcats will play thier 2014 home games at Paul Brown Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Bengals.

Michigan State University
This photo gallery shows the early stages of construction at Spartan Stadium. The $24.5 million project will continue through the season and is schedule to be completed in July of next year.

The project also has a prominent donor: Tom Izzo, Michigan State head men’s basketball coach.

University of Florida
As the fallout from the Boston Marathon bombing earlier this year continues, many schools continue to revise plans for stadium security. In this article, Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities Chip Howard provides an inside look at the thought process behind the policy changes.

University of Connecticut
Despite earlier reports of setbacks, the new scoreboard has installed at Rentschler Field and will be ready for the start of the season. The 28×73 videoboard will be complimented by two ribbon boards.

Ohio University
Following an earlier project where AstroTurf was installed at Ohio football’s Peden Stadium, the athletic department’s new Multipurpose Center and Pruitt Field, the home of the field hockey program, will receive the same type of surface.

George Washington University
GW has unveiled the completed renovations at its tennis facility. In addition to a court resurface, windscreens and benches were upgraded.

Florida State University
FSU’s $15 million Albert Dunlap indoor practice facility has official opened.

Kansas State University
The $75 million renovation to Bill Snyder Family Stadium is complete. The project aimed to improve the fan experience and included suites, retail locations, concession areas, and restroom facilities.

University of Illinois
A new videoboard has been installed at Memorial Stadium which is four times larger than its predecessor. Part of a $7.2 million project, the main board is complemented by two smaller ones.

Eastern Kentucky University
Both Roy Kidd Stadium and McBrayer Arena will receive new videoboards as part of a $1.2 million project. The project will paid for using money from game guarantees and sponsorships.

Colorado State University
Despite the possibility of a new, on-campus stadium in the near future, Hughes Stadium has received a new videoboard. In a cost saving move, the board sits in the frame of the previous scoreboard.

High Point University
As a result of athletic department growth, High Point will build a $9 million, 31,500 square foot performance center. The facility will house areas for academics and sports medicine.

James Madison University
JMU replaced its seven year old turf due to a number of mostly atheistic issues.

California State University, Fresno
Fresno State’s $6.7 million Meyers Sports Medicine Facility. The project was completely donor funded.

East Carolina University
The recently completed and previously unnamed basketball practice facility has been officially named the Smith-Williams Center. A photo gallery of the facility can be found here.

Duke University
Duke University Golf Club has reopened after a $500,000 renovation. The project focused on the greens and tee boxes.

University of Louisville
Just in time for the start of the season, Louisville has upgraded the sound system at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

University of Oregon
Oregon’s new football performance has drawn criticism from some of the university’s own professors.

James Madison University
James Madison has installed Taraflex at Sinclair Gymnasium. Taraflex is recognized as the top surface in the industry for volleyball.

Baylor University
This outstanding piece from Baylor media relations details the history of the tennis program’s facilities and how those facilities help Baylor host postseason events.

Seton Hall University
Work has been completed on its new Center for Sports Medicine. The latest in a string of projects, the center was built at a cost of $1.5 million and is twice the size of its predecessor.

Saint Joseph’s University
An 80 year old facility has received new seats and a new name. The recently renamed Sweeny Field is home to the lacrosse and soccer programs.

A few non-D1 notes:

Texas A&M-Commerce made a splash with its midfield logo that stretches from 25 yard line to 25 yard line and sideline to sideline.

Queens University of Charlotte opened its $30 million Levine Center for Wellness and Recreation. It includes a new arena.

Converse College has broken ground on a $3.3 million field house.

Buffalo State is beginning a $28 million overhaul of Houston Gym.

In case you missed it– Facilities projects previously mentioned on this site

Cell reception should be improved for fans at Arizona football games

Syracuse could go for the NCAA basketball single game attendance record.