WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2006 • SECTION S

They are going up fast, and USC is trying to keep up in the athletic-facilities race with a long-term plan and a $100 million capital campaign

After the USC will face Under Backed by ‘front-line’ numerous athletics director big-time donors, programs, there challenges during Paul Dietzel, USC Arkansas has is a considerable its first capital was among the moved to the Who’s the best? drop-off in fundraising leaders in facilities front of the pack Ranking facilities USC’s facilities. campaign. in the early '70s. in the SEC. in the SEC. SEC FACILITIES: USC

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S2 Playing from behind

RICH GLICKSTEIN/[email protected] USC athletics director Eric Hyman envisions using the 41 acres from the Roundhouse, bottom left, to Stone Stadium to start anew with the school’s athletics facilities. With its crumbling Olympic sports, academic facilities, USC is looking up at its peers in the SEC

Roost, Roundhouse on the chopping block; new academic center likely will be top priority

By JOSEPH PERSON [email protected]

The Roundhouse, site of South Carolina’s athletics offices, turns 50 this year. And USC athletics director “If you’re Eric Hyman would like to celebrate by blowing it up. “Once the The brick structure, built in 1956, contains plenty standing of Gamecocks history within its curved walls. Baseball baseball still, you’re coach Bobby Richardson had an office there, as did (stadium) nearly every USC athletics director beginning with War- falling ren Giese. gets built, Until the locker room at Williams-Brice Stadium was behind, completed in the 1970s, the Gamecocks’ football teams I’m sure it because showered at the Roundhouse and held their Friday will be state night, pregame meetings there. everyone is But like many of USC’s athletics facilities, the Round- of the art. upgrading house is showing its age. Basketball’s Termite damage. A leaky roof. Moldy carpet. across the Cramped quarters. Makeshift offices in supply areas. state of the Hyman’s running joke, which he board, began telling shortly after moving to art. But across the Columbia a year ago, goes as follows: most of the “The archeology department country. called. They want to look for dinosaur rest are not We’re all in bones and Indian relics.” good at all. But USC’s crumbling athletics fa- competition cilities are no laughing matter. Fif- ERIK CAMPOS/[email protected] Worse than teen years after joining the South- Hyman would like to tear down the Roundhouse, above, which turns 50 this year. for the same eastern Conference, many of USC’s not good. student- facilities are in need of a facelift. They’re just With an 80,000-seat football sta- Hyman partment, as well as several academic, alumni and ad- rived from Southern Cal in 1993. During his first couple athletes on dium, a 4-year-old basketball arena ministrative offices. of years in Columbia, McGee arranged facilities tours abom- the elite and a new baseball stadium set to open in 2008, the Hyman will need money to execute either plan. To for himself and USC board members whenever the inable.” Gamecocks’ front-line programs are in good shape. that end, USC is in the quiet phase of a $100 million Gamecocks’ football team played SEC road games. level.” However, the facilities for USC’s Olympic sports capital campaign. McGee said it was obvious USC needed upgrades in teams, as well as those housing the athletics depart- Assuming USC boosters answer the call, athletics “almost all sports” to compete in the SEC, whose mem- KENT ment’s academic and sports medicine centers, lag well officials next will have to prioritize the projects. bers generally have more alumni and more money than DEMARS, MARK behind the rest of the SEC. Hyman and Gamecocks football coach Steve the schools the Gamecocks faced in the Metro Confer- BERSON, USC men’s “I’ve been in this 35 years, and more (money) goes Spurrier have said a new academic center must come ence. tennis coach on USC men’s to make sure that your major sports can stay in the first. There also has been talk of expanding Williams- An Outland Trophy winner and former football coach the state of the soccer coach game,” said USC track coach Curtis Frye, whose Brice Stadium — a scenario that must give pause to at Duke, McGee’s first facilities improvements were to Gamecocks’ women’s squad captured USC’s only NCAA team title, those Olympic sports coaches waiting with their hands Williams-Brice, where USC spent $10 million to add club facilities in 2002. “We just have to have a way to catch up.” out. seats, suites and a new press box on the west side of the Hyman believes he has the way. Gamecocks men’s soccer coach Mark Berson said stadium in 1995. In the fall he is expected to unveil his long-awaited it is important that workers begin moving dirt before A year later, the Gamecocks’ football staff moved into master facilities plan. Sasaki Associates, the firm that USC loses more ground in the SEC arms race — and the $1.9 million Floyd Building and the $13.5 million, designed USC’s Innovista plan, has been working with loses recruits swayed by nicer facilities elsewhere. south end-zone expansion project was completed. the athletics department on two concepts. “If you’re standing still, you’re falling behind be- But McGee’s facilities legacy remains the Colonial The first involves tearing down the Roundhouse and cause everyone is upgrading across the board, across Center, a $67 million arena that “gave basketball a chance the Roost, the former athletics dormitory that now the country,” Berson said. “We’re all in competition for to compete on an equal footing almost with anybody in serves as the Gamecocks’ antiquated academic center, the same student-athletes on the elite level.” the country,” according to McGee. and starting anew on the 41 acres stretching from Rose- Although USC’s soccer programs received a new wood Drive to Stone Stadium. SURFACE REPAIRS FOR stadium under McGee’s watch, many of the Olympic USC leaders also are considering an $85 million plan SEVERAL SPORTS coaches felt invisible when it came to their facilities to transform the Carolina Coliseum into a five-floor, USC had been competing in the SEC for two seasons naturally lighted centerpiece housing the athletics de- in most sports when athletics director Mike McGee ar- SEE USC PAGE S3 SEC FACILITIES: USC

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S3 It’s a tough time to play catch-up BIGGER AND bolder step Ron a couple of years, if the economy ger question is whether Hyman is completed a $30 million to nations from every shift at the never has been taken by the improves. the proper conductor for the ath- $33 million capital fundraising Greenville JP Stevens plant. Hy- ASouth Carolina athletics de- Morris Hyman says he understands. letics department fundraiser. The campaign at Texas Christian that man saw employee after em- partment. It is preparing to leave “Hopefully people have the answer is that Hyman has proved established new facilities ranging ployee who sacrificed beyond the sideline to engage in an arms Columnist passion and love and resources, in 12 months to be the even- from an academic center to a their means to contribute to the race in which only the strongest and want to make the invest- handed, forward-thinking busi- baseball stadium. United Way. Rmorris@ survive. thestate.com ment,” he says. “It’s a community nessman the USC athletics de- Hyman says USC’s campaign He says he learned there are There is little doubt of USC’s (803) 771-8432 effort to be able to do something partment so desperately needed. is not unlike TCU’s in that its fol- those who want to give and there need for improved athletics facili- like this. Hyman inherited a mess from lowing of fans has an undying are those who will have a million ties across the board. An acade- the way by to building better fa- “The economy is a factor, but the previous administration. He thirst for success on the athletic excuses for not giving. He also mic center for athletes tops the cilities. we’ve just got to keep on going.” has cleaned it up by demanding fields. Like USC, TCU’s campaign learned there are no indicators as list of needs. Football needs a bet- The timing might be wrong, On top of that, Hyman is send- fiscal accountability from the was its first. to where fertile giving ground is ter training table. Track and field though, on a couple of fronts. ing out his sales folks to make department’s coaches, by turning “Some schools are well-oiled located. needs a new track. Tennis needs First, these are not the best of pitches while USC president An- over the athletic administration machines. This one is not,” Hy- “You’re plowing up new new courts. The list of needs is economic times. Loyal fans are drew Sorensen inches into Phase staff and by creating an organiza- man says. “This one has never ground here, so you really don’t $100 million long. being asked to dig deeper into II of Innovista, Sorensen’s tional structure that allows the done it before. You will go to peo- know how rich the soil is,” That is the amount Eric Hy- their pockets for football tickets. research campus. Although the department to function without ple who will be somewhat sur- Hyman says. “You’re going to an man wants to raise in the depart- Businesses are slashing payrolls projects are not likely to call on having to seek answers from the prised at the Gamecocks’ needs, area that hasn’t been broached ment’s first capital fundraising and seeking every means possible the same donors, there remains athletics director first. and it’s a matter of educating before, so there is an area of the campaign. If keeping up with the to cut corners to stay afloat. the question of whether enough As if that were not enough to them. TCU was very similar.” unknown.” Joneses in order to remain com- A random check of one promi- money is out there to support ask of Hyman, he also went about Hyman says he learned his Any project of this magnitude petitive in all sports is the driving nent Columbia business that is a both. researching and planning the cap- most valuable lessons in sales- presents a venture into the un- force behind the campaign, then longtime card-carrying member By charging forward with both ital fundraising campaign. He manship while working for known, an unknown never before the time is long past due. Nearly of the Gamecock Club found that projects, Hyman and Sorensen drew on his experiences in United Way during his days as an tested by USC athletics. The time every fellow Southeastern Confer- this is not the time to knock on its have answered that question, at fundraising at VMI and North athletic administrator at Furman. is now for USC to venture for- ence member waved at USC on door for a big donation. Maybe in least in their own minds. The big- Carolina State. Most recently, he One assignment was to seek do- ward.

USC FROM PAGE S2 during McGee’s 12½-year tenure. While other SEC schools sank money into improving facilities for their nonrev- enue sports, USC — with the exception of Stone Stadium and the basketball prac- tice/volleyball competition facility — has done little for its Olympic programs. Other than resurfacing the courts, men’s tennis coach Kent DeMars said the only improvement in his 22 years has been a new scoreboard that was purchased five years ago with money his program raised independently. “We’re desperate,” DeMars said. “We’re at the bottom of the SEC, but we don’t even rank with the rest of the teams in the state.” DeMars said the six courts his team uses at the Sam Daniel Tennis Center are basi- cally “park courts” — only worse. “Even the park courts have lights,” De- Mars said. “There’s no bricks and mortar. It’s pretty abominable. We just have those six courts out there, and that’s it. æ.æ.æ. I put my two cents in with the last administra- tion, which was here for 12 years, and ob- viously he elected not to do anything.” The women’s courts are just as sad, hid- den behind yards of black tarp alongside a busy stretch of Blossom Street. With little or no parking spaces and a dismal locker room, the courts at the Maxcy Gregg Ten- nis Center bear little resemblance to the complexes at Florida and Georgia, which has hosted NCAA championships. USC’s swimming and track facilities also pale in comparison to SEC peers. Frye, whose women’s squad never has finished lower than seventh at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, said a $250,000 RICH GLICKSTEIN/[email protected] resurfacing of the eight-lane track has been Philip Griffin of Augusta stands on top of the press box to paint the bottom of the lights on the west side of Williams-Brice Stadium. the only upgrade to Weems Baskin Track since he arrived in 1996. “The challenge is — what you have to pecking order in the facilities plan, saying “I was told I’d have a new facility within understand — is in this league people aren’t philanthropy could determine which sports five years when I first got here,” Frye said, stagnant,” Hyman said. “If you’re not go- are addressed first. Tennis was not among “but that changed because we were going ing forward with facilities, they’re not wait- the top priorities in Hyman’s $30 million to buy (the Farmers Market).” ing for you.” facilities plan at TCU until a booster do- McGee envisioned building an Olympic The building boom is not unique to the nated money for a new clubhouse. sports complex and relocating the athlet- SEC. According to data compiled by Street Frye, whose son, C.J., played at USC ics department offices to the Farmers Mar- & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal, Ohio under Lou Holtz, understands the impor- ket, a 50-acre site that USC has state ap- State spent $345 million in facilities im- tance of football to the athletics department. proval to purchase for $14.8 million. provements during the past 10 years, more But with a new baseball stadium on the McGee left behind the design plans for than any school in the country. horizon and expansion discussions for the Farmers Market when he retired a year Overall, three of the five biggest Williams-Brice, Frye wonders whether ago. But Hyman wants to keep the Olympic spenders came from the Big Ten: Michigan there will be enough funding for programs sports on campus and has mentioned us- ($233 million) was second, and Penn State like track. ing at least part of the Farmers Market for ($188 million) was fifth. The other two “There’s going to be a lot of fundrais- football parking. schools in the top five were from the ACC, ing going on,” Frye said. “So where does “I spent more than a couple years work- Maryland ($222 million) and Virginia ($221 that leave us? æ.æ.æ. With all the things that ing on that. I thought we had it done. I don’t million). have to be done, it’s easy to put track and know where they are,” McGee said. “I “Our conference is a very competitive all the Olympic sports on the backburner.” thought it would give us an opportunity to league. But I think the arms race is all RICH GLICKSTEIN/[email protected] DeMars wants to make sure the facili- leap-frog the rest of the conference, but the around the country, especially in the big The Maxcy Gregg Tennis Center, home of the USC women’s program ties plans extends to all sports. university decided to go in a different di- six conferences,” Georgia athletics direc- “People probably think the Gamecocks rection.” tor Damon Evans said. “I think you’re try- Bryant-Denny Stadium. oritizing the projects. All agree an acade- are awash in money and they’ve all got ing to keep up. We’ve got to keep ourselves “Very first thing I did after I got there, mic center should be at the top of the list. these great facilities,” said DeMars, who A CALL TO ARMS in a position where we can compete at a two or three months after I became presi- USC’s current academic area, located has been at USC since 1985. “Once the It’s almost impossible to visit an SEC high level, but we don’t need to go over- dent,” Sorensen said. “It was in response in a small, drab section in the original baseball gets built, I’m sure it will be state campus without seeing construction cranes board.” to an arms race. And we’re not above that.” Roost, features 21 computers for nearly 500 of the art. Basketball’s state of the art. But hovering over a stadium or athletics venue. athletes. The Gamecocks’ football team re- Most SEC leaders make no apologies ‘IT TAKES A BATTLE PLAN’ most of the rest are not good at all. Worse Every conference member except USC and for what critics refer to as the “arms race.” serves space in the main university library than not good. They’re just abominable.” Vanderbilt has made major improvements “There are those that would say it’s an When Spurrier addressed USC’s board for its study hall and tutoring sessions, and While USC coaches are optimistic about to its football stadium since 2001, includ- arms race, and it’s going on with the of trustees in February, he told it the Game- Spurrier’s staff takes care not to show vis- Hyman’s plan, they know it won’t happen ing three schools — Auburn, Alabama and schools that can afford it,” Arkansas ath- cocks’ facilities ranked 11th out of 12 SEC iting recruits the Roost. without money — lots of it. The $20 mil- Tennessee — that will unveil stadium pro- letics director Frank Broyles said. “Those teams. “We think ours are a little better Earlier this year Richland Northeast de- lion riverfront baseball stadium will push jects this season. that can afford it are in an arms race. Those than Vanderbilt,” Spurrier said, “and that’s fensive lineman Adam Patterson picked USC close to its debt ceiling of $60 million, Tennessee is nearing completion of the that can’t wish they could.” it.” Michigan over USC in part because of making it imperative that the athletics de- first phase of a $107 million renovation that USC president Andrew Sorensen be- Spurrier is satisfied with the weight Michigan’s superior academic center. partment succeed in its first capital cam- will feature 414 new club seats, a widened lieves the desire to keep up with the Jone- room and meeting rooms in the Crews “It looks terrible. They’ve got little fold- paign. concourse and additional female and fam- ses in athletic arenas is no different than Building, which opened in 2005. But the ing tables. It’s embarrassing,” Sorensen said “It just takes a battle plan. And at the ily restrooms. Although capacity at Ney- what goes on in academic circles. In fact, former Florida coach believes USC needs of the Roost set-up. “This is a very concrete same time, it takes a lot of capital funds,” land Stadium will drop from 104,079 to just the USC president has a name for it: the a new academic center, sports-medicine manifestation of my concern about the fa- Berson said. “You don’t just put together a over 102,000 when the project is finished, Sorensen teak and marble index. area and cafeteria. cilities. We’ve got to do a much better job master plan to build an academic center Tennessee stands to increase revenues with “When MBA students go around and Plus, there is the issue of stadium ex- of taking care of the facilities.” and those kind of things without a lot of the additional premium seats. look at schools, they really get dazzled by pansion. Sorensen hopes to renovate an on-cam- capital funds.” Alabama is spending $40 million to in- the teak and the marble æ.æ.æ. and they don’t With an overflow of season-ticket re- pus building to be shared by athletes and As much as Hyman would like to ele- crease capacity at Bryant-Denny Stadium ask the questions that they ought to ask quests, Spurrier would like to expand other students as a learning center begin- vate all of USC’s facilities to the SEC’s top by 10,000, to 103,000. The project, financed about what’s the quality of the faculty? Williams-Brice to a capacity of 88,000 by ning this fall. But Hyman’s long-term vi- tier, he knows that — like Rome — the by the Crimson Tide Tradition Fund, in- What is the learning environment here? adding a three-tiered deck in the north end sion is a multi-story athletics hub rising Roundhouse will not be rebuilt overnight. cludes a new entrance plaza, additional sky- What’s the general social environment?” zone. USC, which has fewer skyboxes (18) from the rubble of a razed Roundhouse. “Football and basketball are the fi- boxes and a club-level lounge. Sorensen said. than any SEC school other than Vander- While at TCU, Hyman oversaw the com- nancial engines that drive the train, par- LSU is in the midst of an extensive “Similarly, in football æ.æ.æ. you’ve got 17- bilt, also needs to beef up its number of rev- pletion of a similar project that featured a ticularly football. So you’ve got to make fundraising campaign to pay for upgrades and 18-year-old kids who are in these high enue-producing suites. state-of-the-art academic center on the sure those needs are met,” Hyman said. to several of its facilities, including a Tiger schools — a lot of them with grossly inad- “What’s advantageous is when you’ve ground level, beneath a floor that housed “But then on the flip side, the coach from Stadium expansion that will add 3,200 spe- equate facilities — and then they come on got a big, beautiful academic center and a offices for the Horned Frogs’ football staff tennis and the coach from football are just cial-amenity seats and overhaul the press the recruiting trip, and the coaches very of- big, beautiful stadium that seats 90,000 and senior administrators. as important as people, and their student- box at Death Valley. ten make derogatory comments about com- and a brand-new cafeteria,” Spurrier said. “I liked having all the athletic depart- athletes are important. We will try to ad- Given the long list of current projects, petitors’ schools’ facilities. And that goes “If we’re going to compete with Georgia ment together. I think it’s camaraderie,” dress their needs. SEC schools appear to subscribe to the on all over the place.” and Auburn and Tennessee and Florida, Hyman said. “I think it’s more efficient “You can’t put everybody first. There “Field of Dreams” catch phrase: “If you Sorensen should know. After becoming which is who we want to compete with, when you have your compliance and your are things that you will do that make sense build it, they will come.” Only the “they” Alabama’s president in 1996, Sorensen we’ve got to step up and improve some academic learning center and all that with and are logical in their thought process.” that coaches and athletics directors refer signed off on an expansion project that things.” all your coaches and student-athletes.” to is recruits, not fans. added 10,000 seats and 81 skyboxes to The tricky part for Hyman will be pri- Hyman has been reluctant to reveal the Reach Person at (803) 771-8496. SEC FACILITIES: USC

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S4 ++ Dietzel put USC at forefront

Bob Spear USC FACILITIES

Sports Editor TIMELINE

[email protected] (803) 771-8406 1934: Construction on Carolina Stadium is completed. Built through the Works Progress Former AD oversaw Administration, the stadium seats 17,600. building of Carolina 1950s: The south and north end zones are Coliseum, Roost, enclosed at Carolina Stadium. giving school leg up in 1956: Construction is completed on the Round- house, USC’s athletics offices on Rosewood Drive. facilities 40 years ago The Rex Enright Athletics Center, encompassing a ifty years ago, before college track and baseball field, is developed behind the athletics became big business Roundhouse in the late 1950s. Fand spawned public-relations wings, the University of South Car- 1968: The 12,401-seat Carolina Coliseum opens, olina’s athletic facilities charitably replacing the 3,200-seat USC Field House as the could be called modest. By new home for the Gamecocks’ basketball team. today’s standards, they would be The Field House was destroyed by fire during the labeled primitive. Coliseum’s construction. Most other schools were in the same situation. Suddenly, the college version of an arms race emerged, and the Gamecocks immediately ranked among the leaders thanks to a visionary named Paul Dietzel. Dietzel burst onto the Carolina scene 40 years ago with a plan for the future and set about thrusting the Gamecocks to a place among the na- tion’s best. “He was the catalyst, no doubt about that,” says Tom Price, USC’s sports historian. “He was a leader, a builder, and his improvement of facil- FILE PHOTOGRAPH/THE STATE ities was one of his strongest points.” Finishing touches are put on the Dietzel, director of athletics and Carolina Coliseum in November of 1968. football coach from 1966-74, remem- bers inheriting a wooden football sta- dium that had been built during the 1969: The Roost is built. The complex includes an Depression and had a seating capac- athletic dormitory, cafeteria, the George Terry spring ity listed at 43,000. sports building and the first permanent stands at “The (Carolina Stadium) grabbed the baseball field. me right off the bat,” he says now. “My first thought was, ‘Get that 1972: The football stadium is renamed Williams- stadium improved.’ ” Brice in honor of a Sumter family that gave gener- His initial stadium renovations fell ously to USC. An upper deck is added to the west mostly in the cosmetic category, but side of the stadium, increasing capacity to 54,000. fans surely appreciated the improved restroom facilities. His first visible May 1980: The baseball field is re-named in honor construction came in the late 1960s of Sarge Frye, longtime USC groundskeeper. with the Roost dormitories for ath- letes and a spring sports complex 1982: East upper deck opens at Williams-Brice, that included seating for the baseball pushing seating capacity to 72,000. field, new tennis courts and the George Terry Spring Sports building. 1982: Lady Gamecock Field opens as the home of Dietzel reflects on those early USC’s softball team. The field is expanded to 1,500 days at Carolina and says, “We had a seats and re-named Beckham Field in 1999. long way to go.” 1989: The new Roost opens. Originally an athletics Closed for the summer. The Carolina ABOVE, crews work on dorm, the building now houses both athletes and baseball team often played home construction of the east nonathletes. games at a diamond at the Veterans upper deck at Williams-Brice Hospital in the early 1960s. Stadium in April of 1982. 1991: An indoor practice facility for football, “Before that, they played next to baseball, track, tennis and soccer opens, replacing the Russell House on Greene Street, LEFT, debris marks a practice bubble that was destroyed by Hurricane and a good batter could hit balls off construction of the west Hugo in 1989. Longstreet Theater,” says Don Bar- upper deck in January of 1972. ton, a former sports information di- The stadium was renamed 1995: A $10 million project adds club seats, suites rector. Williams-Brice that year. and a new press box to the west side of Williams- The 3,200-seat basketball arena, Brice. called the USC Field House, sat on Sumter Street, where the Coker Life FILE PHOTOGRAPHS/THE STATE 1996: Construction is completed on the south end Sciences Building is today, and had zone project at Williams-Brice, adding an upper been state of the art — “20 years ear- deck and The Zone premium club, and increasing lier,” Barton says. capacity to more than 80,000. Barton’s duties in the 1950s in- cluded what he calls “tennis coach,” lightning hit nearby, and you have job and gets ahead, and while that was on the football stadium,” Moore 1996: Stone Stadium, home of the soccer teams, and his team, with no scholarships, never seen a football team leave a school enjoys the fruits, others catch says. “Then, we had a lot of cosmetic, is built on the site of the former field, adjacent to a played matches on courts near field so fast.” up and pass. maintenance situations and new cemetery. McKissick Library. The football stadium, built to seat “But two things to remember locker rooms. “We had a budget of $200-300 for 17,600 in 1934, had undergone two about this time. (Women’s sports) “The McGee era was major con- balls,” he says. expansions before Dietzel’s arrival. were not part of the athletics depart- struction, certainly for the two large The university bulldozed the Both end zones had been enclosed to ment, and facilities had to be con- programs with two football expan- courts for an administration building, make a bowl. structed in those areas. There was a sions and the basketball arena.” and the tennis team moved to clay Funds for Dietzel’s expansion of lot (of development) going on behind courts at Maxcy Gregg Park. the football stadium came from a be- the scenes.” Bedroom in the Roundhouse. Still re- “They said clay, but (the courts) quest from the estate of Mrs. Martha Adding the upper deck to the maining — somehow — was the were dirt,” Barton says. “We just Williams Brice. The renovation, com- football stadium’s east side started Roundhouse, which has housed the hoped too many rocks didn’t come pleted in 1972, included the upper during the Jim Carlen era, and the administration offices for 50 years, up.” deck on the West side, then tearing deck opened in 1982, Bob Marcum’s and locker rooms occupied the upper The late Sarge Frye, a master out and rebuilding the lower deck on first year as athletics director. floor for years. groundskeeper and a fixture around the West side. A new building was added to the Almost every change in leader- USC athletics for almost a half-cen- “Dietzel was a real visionary,” Roost complex, and the baseball ship has led to remodeling. tury, remembered what he called says John Moore, a top athletic de- stadium received upgrades. A Price, sports information director “the old days” during an interview partment administrator from 1975- weight room for the basketball for 31 years and still active with the FILE PHOTOGRAPH/THE STATE before his death in 2003 and laughed 2003. “The stadium (expan- teams was installed at Car- baseball program, says he had an of- The men’s soccer team opens at the changes. sion) was a prototype for olina Coliseum. Moore re- fice in seven locations. Stone Stadium against Furman in 1996. “The (athletics department) closed stadiums that are still being members work in the P.E. “Where the athletics director’s of- down during the summer,” he said. constructed.” Center to improve lighting fice is now used to be a bedroom for “A secretary would come in once a “Paul Dietzel deserved and locker rooms for the visiting coaches,” Price says. “Visiting 1997: The basketball practice/volleyball competition week to check the mail.” great credit for the initial, volleyball and swimming (Olympic sports) teams stayed in the facility opens. The facility, which features two bas- Frye trucked in cinders for the foundational development teams. old ticket office adjacent to the ketball courts and the men’s and women’s basket- new track behind the Roundhouse of Williams-Brice,” former “In the 1950s through Roundhouse. ball offices, is connected to the Carolina Coliseum. and scrounged railroad ties for seat- athletics director Mike the early ’80s you built “They had 11 bedrooms in that ing at the baseball field. McGee says. “My sense was dorms and such around building with two double-deck bunk November 2002: The $67 million Colonial Center The Gamecocks’ focus on athlet- always, regardless of what where the athletes were,” beds in each one. Our football (team) opens in the Vista, a couple of blocks west of the ics before Dietzel centered mostly on we did in football, we didn’t Dietzel Moore says. “Then the rules used to spend Friday nights before Carolina Coliseum. Modeled in part after Arkansas’ the Clemson football game. Raising want to detract from that changed to supposedly inte- home games in there (during the Walton Arena, the 18,000-seat arena is the largest $50,000 in the Gamecock Club and initial thrust of development and de- grate athletes into the university-wide 1950s).” building constructed by USC at 330,000 square selling 2,000 season tickets for foot- sign.” population. The “big” office originally was feet. ball represented a bonanza. Meanwhile, lights had been added “We had to modernize one of the near the front door, but Dietzel Dietzel changed that attitude and to the baseball field, and Carolina cafeterias with new equipment at the moved the athletics director’s quar- Spring 2005: The Crews Building, which features a charged into the future. Coliseum, a monument to legendary cost of more than $1 million. In some ters toward the rear and into the for- 17,834-square-foot weight room and meeting basketball coach Frank McGuire, had ways, the facilities became obsolete mer bedroom, Price says. rooms for the football team, opens at a cost of Influence in Washington. Dietzel re- opened. from the standpoint of usability.” “I even had that office at one $3 million. members the day he told the team At that time, Carolina’s facilities Signs of progress returned under time,” he says. “It was a nice, big that the university would build the ranked among the best. McGee with football stadium addi- space, but it was right under the December 2005: Plans are announced for a Roost, which included dormitories tions, the Colonial Center for basket- locker room, and water from the $20 million, 6,800-seat baseball stadium along the and a cafeteria “and would be the Building behind the scenes. Times and ball and a multi-use building for vol- showers would seep through the east bank of the Congaree River. Construction is to finest in the United States.” leadership change, and so do priori- leyball matches and basketball floor. Every day, the first thing I did begin in October and be completed for the 2008 “We were on the field behind ties. The general consensus is South practices. was wipe the moisture from my season. the Roundhouse, and it was rain- Carolina rested on its laurels follow- “Mike is a real forward thinker,” desk.” ing,” he says. “About the time I ing Dietzel’s departure. Dietzel says. Dietzel stepped into that environ- pointed my clipboard and told them “Athletic facilities run in cycles,” “If I had to classify my almost 30 ment 40 years ago and began leading Compiled by Joseph Person ‘up there on that knoll,’ a bolt of Moore says. “Somebody does a good years, most of the major construction the Gamecocks into the future. and Bob Spear WWW.THESTATE.COM THE STATE, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2006 S5

JOSEPH PERSON

Joseph Person.

.

. SEC FACILITIES: ARKANSAS

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S6 ++ HOG HEAVEN With the help of Arkansas-based donors such as Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods, Razorbacks AD Frank Broyles has erected a facilities empire that is the envy of conference peers

COURTESY OF ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE COURTESY OF ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE COURTESY OF ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE The world-class outdoor track stadium was built in The 18,000-square-foot weight room includes 13 42-inch Bud Walton Arena has a capacity of 19,200 for basketball four months to host the SEC Championships in May. flat-screen TVs that athletes can use to adjust technique. and was renovated in 2004 and ’05.

COURTESY OF ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT The football stadium’s East Side Club is a premium seating Charlie Baum Stadium was named the second-best baseball The football stadium underwent a $110 million renovation area that includes concessions and seats 2,148. stadium in the country in 2003 by Baseball America. in 2001, increasing capacity by 21,000.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — On the first night of the SEC Championships in May, athletics director Frank Broyles stood alone in the press box at Arkansas’ new track stadium, wearing a red blazer and surveying the action unfolding at what one of the Razorbacks’ coaches called the final piece in the school’s athletics “empire.” Looming above the horizon to Broyles’ right was Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, a massive football structure that was expanded in 2001 to include 134 suites and nearly 9,000 club seats. By JOSEPH PERSON To his left, about a mile down Razorback Road and out of view from the [email protected] press box, sat 10-year-old Baum Stadium, a baseball palace complete with wide concourses, chair-back seats angled toward home plate and a hot tub beyond the left-field wall. Broyles was the Razorbacks’ football coach in the early 1970s when the university gave him a sizable tract of land on either side of Razorback Road for its facilities, which at the time included only the football stadium and Barnhill Arena, the Hogs’ basketball home. Arkansas had added a few venues by 1990 when South Carolina track coach Curtis Frye, then a North Carolina assistant, came to Fayetteville for a meet. But, as Frye put it: “There was nothing worth looking at.” “We were in Chapel Hill saying, ‘This is a piece of æ.æ.æ. How can they win?’ ” Frye said. “And 15 years later — bam!” Bam, indeed. Under the leadership of Broyles, who became athletics director in 1973, and due to the gen- FILE PHOTOGRAPH/HE ASSOCIATED PRESS erosity of the biggest industry leaders in the state, Arkansas has turned Razorback Road into Arkansas athletics director and Park Place and Boardwalk on the SEC Monopoly board. ex-football coach Frank Broyles

With no other major university in the state to com- and keep donors. It has been one groundbreaking ceremony after an- pete for the attention of fans and their checkbooks, This past spring Arkansas sent a photo montage of other ever since. As Arkansas’ associate athletics di- Broyles has spent the past dozen years building facil- the Razorbacks’ facilities to 11,000 of its supporters. rector for facilities for men’s sports, Pufall knows his ities that are the marvel of conference coaches and ad- It was a small gesture to show boosters where their way around a construction site. ministrators and — from top to bottom — compare contributions have gone. Under orders from his wife, Pufall eventually des- favorably with those of any school in the country. Broyles said supporters are more likely to dip into ignated a pair of shoes as his construction loafers, A slice of Hog Heaven smack dab in the Ozark their checking accounts again “if they see the results which ride shotgun on the floorboard of his green Mountain plateau in northwest Arkansas. (and) know what they’re paying into.” pickup. Pufall wears them often. “We don’t have a Clemson (to compete with). That’s As it turned out, the lithographs were outdated be- The facilities housing every Razorbacks men’s team very important,” Broyles said during the weekend of fore being mailed out: The track stadium pictured in and several of the shared venues — the school has sep- the SEC track meet. the montage was the Razorbacks’ former outdoor fa- arate men’s and women’s athletics departments — are “It’s all the difference in the world. Whoever the cility. either new or have been updated since 1994. AD is, he’s the hero. Whoever the coach is, he’s the Progress happens fast in Fayetteville. Baum Stadium, one of the first college stadiums hero. There’s a passion. æ.æ.æ. Our fans support every- built with the charm and amenities that have become thing.” ❑ ❑ standard with the major league building boom, has As USC embarks on a $100 million, long-term been expanded twice since opening in 1996. Now, facilities plan, school officials could do worse than For all the gleaming structures along Razorback officials are eyeing a third expansion to add seats down study the Arkansas model (in fact, USC leaders bor- Road and the posh luxury suites inside those buildings, both foul lines. rowed design ideas from Arkansas for the Colonial there might be no better example of Arkansas’ facili- Before the Razorbacks joined the SEC in 1992, it Center and the soon-to-be-built baseball stadium). ties boom than the dirt on Jerry Pufall’s black loafers. became obvious the football facilities needed to be While it is true that South Carolina lacks the pres- Pufall arrived in Fayetteville in the fall of 1994, upgraded. Arkansas added a 100-yard indoor practice ence of a mega-corporation such as Bentonville, Ark.- months after Nolan Richardson rode the Hogs to a facility in 1999 and dressed up Razorback Stadium based Wal-Mart, whose founders and heirs have national championship while playing before huge between 2000-01 with an upper deck and a club level pumped millions into Arkansas’ athletic and academic crowds at the just-opened Bud Walton Arena, the house featuring 9,500 premium seats. programs, there are lessons to be gleaned from the that Bud built. approach Broyles and his staff have taken to attract “That,” Pufall said, “set the standard.” SEE ARKANSAS PAGE S7 SEC FACILITIES

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S7 ++ Going beyond the pale of practicality Fancy facilities are the rage, but do locker Perhaps no facilities upgrade facility. Georgia athletics director LSU, Auburn, Alabama, even Georgia. There’s flat-screen TVs illustrates that need-vs.-want de- Damon Evans plans to visit with teams further south than us, have and couches and you name it.” rooms need plasma TVs? And what’s with bate as well as indoor football officials at Mississippi, Tennessee one,” he said. “I don’t think we Vanderbilt has not undertaken indoor football fields at Southern schools? practice areas, which rate along- and Alabama to see how often really need that right now.” major renovations to Vanderbilt side locker rooms as the facilities those schools use their indoor Nor did Spurrier feel like his Stadium since Johnson arrived in trends du jour. areas. Florida teams were behind be- Nashville in 2002. While some By JOSEPH PERSON ered uniforms smelling fresh. Georgia, Florida and Vander- “That’s a major question. Use cause his alma mater lacked an in- might call him naive, Johnson [email protected] And, according to Brooks, “the bilt are the only SEC schools that of the facility is always a question,” door facility. hopes recruits are not picking locker room was a good locker do not have an indoor facility. And Evans said. “How many times are “Certainly, the Florida schools schools based solely on the size of When Rich Brooks left Oregon room” before the changes. given their locations in the heart they going to utilize a facility like don’t need them,” Spurrier said. the football stadiums. following the 1994 season, he But good is seldom good of the Sun Belt, it would be harder that in this region of the country, “But since everybody has one, and “Facilities are nice as an thought the Ducks’ locker room enough for long in the copycat for those schools to make an ar- as compared to if you’re up in a all it takes is money, most of these attraction. But when you get right was more than serviceable. world of big-time college athletics. gument for the need for an indoor place where there’s a lot of snow schools have plenty of money. If down to it they’ve got to choose But in the years since Brooks About the time a school shells out facility than their peers in the Mid- (and) it’s cold? you’ve got a little piece of land, it’s the school for the education has been gone, Oregon — with a for the latest trend in facilities to west-based Mid-American Con- “Some people look at it as a re- easy to put one in there.” they’re going to get and the huge assist from the deep pockets keep up with its conference ference. cruiting tool. But I think you’ve got Arkansas coach Houston Nutt opportunity they’re going to have of Nike founder Phil Knight — has brethren, another university one- “In four years, we’ve probably to do a total assessment.” has seemingly everything he in football,” said Johnson, a for- transformed its dressing area into ups it in the never-ending cycle of had five or six practices delayed,” South Carolina recently in- needs in terms of facilities — a mer Furman coach. “Everybody’s the Taj Mahal of locker rooms. building and re-building to help Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson, stalled artificial turf on its 60-yard new weight room, full-sized in- going to be fairly close in facilities. Oregon spent $3.2 million in land recruits. a Columbia native, said at the SEC field at its indoor facility. Because door field, grass- and artificial- Is it newer or shinier? Yes. 2003 for a two-story facility that While some SEC coaches be- spring meetings. “We have not had the Gamecocks use the facility pri- surface practice fields and a re- “But you’ve got practice fields, includes three 60-inch plasma TVs, lieve adding the newest bells and one canceled, so I don’t see a need marily for winter conditioning, cently renovated stadium. But you’ve got weight rooms, you’ve a security panel keyed to players’ whistles is critical to recruiting suc- for it.” USC coach Steve Spurrier does what Nutt wants is a revamped got locker rooms. There’s only so thumbprints, and spacious wooden cess, others argue that — even in Georgia, which boasts some of not see the need for bigger indoor locker room. much (schools can do).” lockers each equipped with Inter- one of the nation’s most lucrative the best all-around facilities in the digs. “I think it’s pretty nice, but net access and a cooling system to conferences — there is such a conference, is conducting a feasi- “I don’t think we need a 100- that’s the oldest thing we have,” he Reach Person at keep the Ducks’ Nike swoosh-cov- thing as excess. bility study on an indoor practice yard indoor facility even though said. “You look at Auburn’s, LSU’s, (803) 771-8496.

ACADEMIC CENTERS

ALABAMA ARKANSAS AUBURN FLORIDA GEORGIA KENTUCKY

ALABAMA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT AUBURN ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT FLORIDA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT GEORGIA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT KENTUCKY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

The Paul W. Bryant Academic The Bob and Marilyn Bogle The 33,000-square-foot Char- The three-story, 31,823- The $7.5 million Rankin M. The 20,000-square-foot Cen- Center opened in 1965. An 18- Academic Center is located on lotte G. Lowder Student Athlete square-foot, $4.1 million facility Smith Student-Athlete Academic ter for Academic and Tutorial month, $10.3 million renovation the east side of the football Development Center contains an features staff offices, 15 tutorial opened in the fall of 2002. The Services opened in March 1998. was completed in late April. stadium. The 15,000-square-foot academic hall of honor, two rooms, two video rooms, two 31,000-square-foot center in- It contains 25 tutoring rooms Among the 52,300-square-foot facility includes a computer lab “smart” classrooms featuring in- computer labs, a study area and cludes tutorial rooms, coun- and 35 computers in the com- building’s new amenities is a 48- with 36 stations, 14 computer- novative technology, seven coun- a multimedia seminar room. selors’ offices, computer labs and puter center, a study center, a station computer lab with new equipped tutoring rooms, a mul- selors offices, 40 four-person tu- teaching space. There also is a career and life skills resource equipment; writing labs, 40 indi- tipurpose classroom and life and torial rooms, a library resource lecture hall and lounge and ban- room and administrative offices. vidual study rooms, two career development resources. area, study lounge and 25-station quet areas. 50-seat classrooms and a 140- computer classroom. seat lecture hall.

LSU MISSISSIPPI MISSISSIPPI ST. SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE VANDERBILT

LSU ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT MISSISSIPPI ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT MISSISSIPPI ST. ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT ERIK CAMPOS/[email protected] TENNESSEE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT VANDERBILT ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

The Cox Communications The FedEx Academic Support A proposed 38,000-square- The Academic Enrichment The two-story Thornton Ath- The 3,000-square-foot center Academic Center opened in 2002 Center, scheduled to be com- foot, $7.5 million facility is to in- Center is 11,338 square feet and letic Student Life Center was is located in the McGugin Center and is 54,000 square feet in size. pleted in the fall, will be 22,500 clude 10 large classrooms, five is located in the original Roost built in 2001 and includes acade- and features a computer lab and The center features 75 computer square feet in size. It will house smaller classrooms, a library, tu- building. It includes individual mic support, two study rooms numerous tutoring rooms. workstations, 14 private com- the Office of Student-Athlete toring rooms, a conference study rooms, a computer lab and and a computer lab. puter rooms in a computer lab, Academic Support, including of- room, academic staff offices, and a multimedia classroom. additional study rooms and fices, conference rooms, 20 tu- auditorium and several computer classrooms, electronic schedul- toring rooms, a large study area, workrooms. ing of tutoring sessions and a multimedia room, computer lab 1,000-seat auditorium. and auditorium.

a $20 million gift from the Reynolds Foun- Broyles also knows how to stroke the and created a display at Walton Arena with ARKANSAS dation allowed Arkansas to build its bas- donors so those checks continue to roll in photos and information of letter-winners FROM PAGE S6 ketball arena and update the football sta- whenever he decides to re-do Nutt’s locker who have contributed. dium, respectively, with relatively little debt room or builds a world-class, outdoor track “We’re just going to do it up right,” Broyles said the club seats took foot- service. stadium in four months (as Arkansas did Broyles said. “Everything that we do, we ball revenues from an average of $900,000 When longtime Razorbacks men’s before hosting the SEC Championships in want to do it in a way that not only the peo- per game to $3.2 million. coach John McDonnell was raising money May). ple that (paid for) it are proud, but every- When the Razorbacks head to practice, to build a state-of-the-art, indoor track Broyles’ efforts extend beyond thank- one, when they look at it, are proud.” coach Houston Nutt can choose among a facility in 2000, he called on Don Tyson, you notes. 100-yard natural-grass field, an adjacent, son of John Tyson, who founded the meat The concourses of the basketball arena ❑ ❑ 100-yard field with artificial turf and the company. McDonnell brought a set of and the baseball stadium include tributes indoor facility. A separate, 40-yard indoor plans to Don Tyson’s office that included to the school’s most generous boosters. Broyles returned to John McDonnell area remaining from the Broyles era is Tyson’s name emblazoned on the stadium. The displays consist of etched-glass por- Track with his wife for the final night of used for walkthroughs. “How much?” Tyson asked. traits of the donors, set in stainless steel the SEC meet in May. The two sat in the Compared to the locker-room ameni- McDonnell figured he needed to come cases and accompanied by short bios. press box at the club level, where workers ties for the baseball (oak lockers, card ta- up with a big number. “He’s the visionary,” Pufall said of had not had time to cover the concrete bles and encased jerseys of every major “Three million,” he said. Broyles. “He’s the person that can go talk floors or the drywall before the start of the league team) and men’s basketball (a dec- “I’ll do it,” Tyson responded. to donors. He’s so charismatic. If you spend meet. orative section of floor from the Charlotte More than six years later, the Irish-born any time around him at all, you can see But everything track-related at the state- Coliseum, site of the ’94 Final Four) teams, McDonnell smiles when recalling the story. why people are so giving to him.” of-the-art, $6 million facility was completed the Razorbacks’ football dressing room “ ’Twas the easiest $3 million I ever But Arkansas did not build its empire — from the extra-wide, 48-inch running stands out for its plainness. got,” he said. solely on proceeds from boneless chicken lanes to the reversible set of pole vault and “That’s really what we’re missing,” Nutt The Randal Tyson Track Center, named breasts and discounted department-store jumping pits, able to accommodate events said. “Locker room, maybe a couple more after Don’s brother, has hosted the NCAA items. regardless of which way the wind blows. meeting rooms.” COURTESY OF ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT Indoor Championships every year since it Broyles and others have made efforts An hour or so before the Arkansas men You have a feeling that will be the Hogs’ A tribute to Arkansas’ football opened. to reach into the wallets of athletics alumni. came from behind to beat Tennessee and next project. heritage is located inside “We probably could not have done Officials last year introduced the Century capture their fourth consecutive SEC out- the Broyles Center. everything that we’ve done without the Circle, a fundraising group comprised of door championship, the sun slipped behind ❑ ❑ great support from Wal-Mart or the peo- former lettermen who have given $100,000 a hill beyond Razorback Road to the west 60-meter lanes are filled with sand (any- ple who have been associated with Wal- or more to the athletics department. of the stadium, leaving behind a sunset that While Pufall and other school officials one who has tried to jog in soft sand at the Mart, (and) John and Don Tyson,” said There are 34 members, including PGA nearly matched the cardinal shade of Ra- shower praise on the 81-year-old Broyles beach knows the benefit). Alan Sugg, president of the University of bad boy John Daly, Dallas Cowboys owner zorbacks red. for his ability to see the big picture, he and But what is most evident during a two- Arkansas System. Jerry Jones, former major leaguers Tom To Broyles, it must have looked like the his staff clearly get the little things, as well. hour tour of Razorback Road is this: “There’s tremendous growth and eco- Pagnozzi and Kevin McReynolds, and the best view in the world. The dining room used by the football Arkansas knows how to embrace its big- nomic development in northwest Arkansas, late William Fulbright, a senator from “Twenty-five years ago, the school gave team during the fall features wide, custom- money donors and its pig of a mascot. and we’re beneficiaries of that growth, not Arkansas who played football for the me this whole corridor. There was noth- made chairs to accommodate the girth of While the well-branded Razorback is only for athletics but also the academic Razorbacks in the 1920s. ing down here, and they said, ‘You can the Razorbacks’ linemen. omnipresent in Arkansas’ stadiums and programs.” “Here’s a former football player who have this for athletic facilities,’ ” Broyles The 34,000-square-foot strength train- arenas, the names of the first-generation Indeed, many of the same names show gives $100,000, and all I could say was, said as he surveyed the scene below. “Lit- ing facility, built in 2004, includes a juice Wal-Mart families, Tyson Foods executives up on the academic buildings up the hill ‘Thank you,’ ” Broyles said. “It wasn’t tle did they know what they were giving bar where athletes can throw back a and other benefactors who paid for these from the athletics facilities. Broyles said he enough to name the facility for them. It me. Just one athletic facility after another smoothie between sets. shrines are splashed all over the interiors makes major-gift donors pledge that their wasn’t enough to give any special recog- all the way down æ.æ.æ. ” In addition to the three rubberized run- and exteriors of the buildings. athletics contributions will not affect their nition to.” ning lanes in the indoor facility, two of the A $15 million gift from Bud Walton and university largesse. So Broyles formed the Century Circle Reach Person at (803) 771-8496. SEC FACILITIES: FOOTBALL

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S8

The State’s rankings for SEC facilities on the following six pages were derived by surveying a collection of coaches, sports information directors, media members and other officials throughout the conference. Rankings reflect existing facilities at the schools and do not take ABOUT OUR RANKINGS: into account current or upcoming construction projects. In addition to stadiums and arenas, The State also examined the practice facilities, strength and conditioning centers and other athletics-related facilities (sports medicine, academic enrichment, et al).

LSU 123TENNESSEE FLORIDA

COURTESY OF LSU ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF TENNESSEE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF FLORIDA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

TIGER STADIUM NEYLAND STADIUM BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus FUN FUN FUN OPENED: 1924 FACTS OPENED: 1921 FACTS OPENED: 1930 FACTS RECENT AND PLANNED RENOVATIONS: 2000, RECENT AND PLANNED RENOVATIONS: 2000, RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1998, 2003, ’04 current LSU’s current The TURF: Natural grass Florida’s TURF: Natural grass home is TURF: Natural grass stadium home the opened CAPACITY: 88,548 record CAPACITY: 92,400 sixth- CAPACITY: 104,079 as NUTS AND BOLTS: A 1998 renovation costing from NUTS AND BOLTS: A current $60 million largest NUTS AND BOLTS: Neyland is the third-largest Shields- $4.8 million expanded the south end-zone com- 1990 to west-side renovation will add more than 3,200 on- on-campus stadium in the nation. The first of a Watkins plex’s locker room, strength and conditioning 2004 special-amenity seats and improve the press campus five-phase, $107 million renovation project is Field. area and training room. The same year, a $2.1 (81-11) box, and result in the west side mirroring the stadium slated to be completed by Sept. 2. The first The million project added a video board in the was the name in the phase will cost about $24 million and include third- east side. In 2000, construction of the east-side nation. was south end zone and 23 TV monitors under- best upper deck added 11,600 seats. Also, 70 sky- the construction of 414 club seats and the neath the end-zone mezzanines. Before the ❑❑ changed in the boxes were built. The stadium weight room is widening of the north end-zone concourse to 2004 season, a video board, as well as a stadi- nation. used by other LSU athletes. Tiger inside Gate 21. The club seating will include an Neyland umwide sound system, was erected in the ❑❑ SKYBOXES: 70 Stadium indoor commons area. The remaining four in 1962. north end. A $50 million renovation in 2003 once phases will provide a wide-ranging renovation added 2,900 luxury club seats and 34 suites, The INDOOR FACILITY/WEIGHT ROOM: The Charles ❑❑ served of the stadium — to include an exterior expanded the press level and enlarged the Bull Gators McClendon practice facility includes four out- as a redesign featuring a brick exterior and a new The Vols Gator Deck, a premium seating area. The have door fields and one indoor, climate-controlled dorm for main entrance — that will be completed in won 55 south end-zone complex features a display of sold out field. The indoor field is located in the $15 mil- home about seven to eight years. The Wolf-Kaplan Hospi- former Gators greats and includes a 130-seat 102 games in lion Football Operations Center, which was 1,500 tality Center serves as a gathering place for straight students. a row amphitheater meeting room. home completed before the 2005 season. It includes Vols recruits. football offices, a weight room, locker room, from SKYBOXES: 80 games. training room, equipment room and video SKYBOXES: 112 1925-33. WEIGHT ROOM: Located in the south end zone room. The Bill Lawton Squad Room was built INDOOR FACILITY: The Neyland-Thompson of the football stadium, it encompasses 11,000 adjacent to the stadium in 1998 and serves as a Sports Center opened in 1989 at a cost of $11 square feet and has more than 50,000 pounds team meeting facility. Located behind the million. The two-level building is 120,000 of free weights and 150 training stations. building’s auditorium is the Hall of Champions, a display square feet in size. Features of the facility include a practice INDOOR FACILITY: None honoring the history of the football program. field, locker room, the Tennessee Football Hall of Fame, recruiting lounge/office, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms and an auditorium. The center also houses the Percy Strength Facility — which features a 12,000-square-foot weight room that includes 50,000 pounds of weight and a nutrition center — and the 14,000-square-foot Tim Kerin Training Room.

GEORGIA 456ARKANSAS AUBURN

COURTESY OF GEORGIA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF AUBURN ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

SANFORD STADIUM DONALD W. REYNOLDS RAZORBACK STADIUM JORDAN-HARE STADIUM LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus FUN FUN FUN OPENED: 1929 FACTS OPENED: 1938 FACTS OPENED: 1939 FACTS RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2003, ’04 RECENT RENOVATION: 2001 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2004, ’05, ’06 TURF: Natural grass The TURF: Natural grass The TURF: Natural grass The team’s team’s Tigers’ CAPACITY: 92,746 longest CAPACITY: 72,000 record CAPACITY: 87,451 largest NUTS AND BOLTS: With expansions costing home NUTS AND BOLTS: A $110 million expansion at the NUTS AND BOLTS: Two sections of the east margin $25 million in 2003 and $8 million in 2004, a winning project that was completed before the 2001 stadium upper deck and two suites on the east side of victo- second upper deck on the north side and 27 streak season increased capacity from 51,000 to its is were added before the 2004 season. The north ry at the skyboxes were added, increasing capacity to is 24 current level. Also, the south end zone was 139-71-2. and south concourses were renovated with stadium 92,746. Games at Sanford Stadium are played games, enclosed, a five-vendor food court was built, ❑❑ new concession stands and restrooms before is 66, from against “between the hedges,” a reference to the Eng- 1980-83. 68 skyboxes were added, a video screen was The the 2005 season. The same is being done to the UT- lish privet hedges that surround the playing erected at the north end zone, and the press west and east concourses before this season. ❑❑ “Game Chat- field. Georgia is believed to be the only major box was expanded. The east concourse “Cham- of the The 3,232-square-foot locker room contains a tanooga college that buries it’s mascots within the Georgia pionship Alley” commemorates conference Century” training room and media room. The Tiger in 1995. confines of the stadium. Ugas are buried in has the championships, the 1964 national-title-winning at the Walk Plaza’s courtyard serves as the entrance ❑❑ cement vaults near the main gate in the em- fifth- team and lettermen. The South end-zone con- stadium to the home locker room and as a recruit bankment of the south stands. largest course’s “All-American Alley” is a tribute to was assembly room. Ten 11-foot-by-29-foot murals Auburn on- No. 1 won a SKYBOXES: 77 Razorback All-Americans. The west concourse of Tigers greats are painted on the east-side campus “Bowl Alley” features each bowl team. The Texas’ exterior of the stadium, and Auburn’s football school- INDOOR FACILITY: None stadium 3,800-square-foot Wilson Matthews “A” Club is 15-14 history is also displayed. record WEIGHT ROOM/OTHER: The 85,000-square-foot in the win over 30 home a lounge area for former players. SKYBOXES: 79 Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall opened in 1987 at a nation. No. 2 games in SKYBOXES: 134 Ark- a row cost of $12 million. The four-floor complex WEIGHT ROOM: The 14,000-square-foot, two- INDOOR FACILITY/WEIGHT ROOM: The Willard ansas in story James T. Tatum Jr. Strength and Condi- from includes an 8,000-square-foot weight room, 1969. 1952-61. sports medicine facility, racquetball court, & Pat Walker Pavilion/Walker Family Training tioning Center opened in January 2002 at a meeting rooms, lounge, the Georgia Bulldog Center was completed in 1998. A three-level cost of $2.7 million. It features a 20-yard Astro- Hall of Fame, coaches’ offices and a trophy addition opened in 2005. On the first floor is a turf hill adjacent to the facility and contains 20 room. The locker rooms open into the outdoor practice facil- 120-yard field and the 16,000-square-foot Camden & Sue power stations on the first floor. The second floor is a loft ity, which features four fields. Greene Speed Development Center, which includes a three- that contains aerobics training. lane, 70-yard track; a two-lane, 60-yard sand pit; and a INDOOR FACILITY: The John H. Watson Fieldhouse houses a 2,500-square-foot agility area. The second floor houses a 40-yard artificial-turf field and measures 155 feet by 210 feet. training room. A 18,000-square-foot weight room, which features a nutritional area and 13 42-inch flat-screen TVs that can be used to adjust technique, is on the third floor. All Arkansas athletes use this weight room. SEC FACILITIES: FOOTBALL

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S9

ALABAMA 789SOUTH CAROLINA MISSISSIPPI

COURTESY OF ALABAMA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT FILE PHOTOGRAPH/THE STATE COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: Off campus LOCATION: On campus FUN FUN FUN OPENED: 1929 FACTS OPENED: 1934 FACTS OPENED: 1918 FACTS RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1998, 2006 RECENT AND PLANNED RENOVATIONS: 1995, RECENT AND PLANNED RENOVATIONS: 2002, TURF: Prescription Athletic Turf In its ’96 When it ’03 Students first TURF: Natural grass opened, TURF: AstroPlay helped CAPACITY: 92,138 game Williams build the NUTS AND BOLTS: A 1998 renovation increased in the CAPACITY: 80,250 -Brice CAPACITY: 60,580 first capacity to 83,818 by adding the east-side stadium, NUTS AND BOLTS: More than $33 million of seated NUTS AND BOLTS: The bowling-in of the south grand- upper deck. The new deck provided 10,000 Alabama improvements and renovations have taken 17,600 end zone in 2002 increased capacity to its stand in additional bleacher seats and 81 skyboxes on defeated place during the past 11 years, most recently a ❑❑ current level. AstroPlay synthetic grass was 1915 at two levels. A scoreboard with video capabilities Missis- $10 million project in 1995 that added club installed in 2003. the site USC’s sippi seats, suites and a new press box. A year later, of the was added to the south end zone, and new College first SKYBOXES: 62 present light towers were erected on the east side of 55-0 the south end-zone project was completed. It game field the stadium. An expansion is planned for the included The Zone, which features an 11,000- INDOOR FACILITY/WEIGHT ROOM: The Rebels ❑❑ at the ❑❑ north end-zone area that will add skyboxes, a square-foot banquet facility. USC’s coaching moved into their new, $18 million indoor stadium complex in 2004. The 150,000-square-foot club-level area and upper-deck seating totaling When it staff moved into new offices in 1996 in the was a The facility includes a players lounge, about 10,000 seats. It is scheduled to be opened $1.9 million Floyd Building, which overlooks 25-0 Rebels completed for the beginning of the 2006 the the north end zone. When Steve Spurrier victory computer/study lab, staff offices, training area, are season. Construction began in February on the stadium arrived before the 2005 season, he had the against locker room, full-sized practice field, banquet 220-62-8 Bryant-Denny Plaza — which will include the had a artifical turf along both sidelines removed and Erskine hall and a 10,000-square-foot weight room. The all time Walk of Champions, commemorating national seating replaced it with natural grass. The Lettermen’s on facility is linked to the stadium via an under- at the Sept. 23, capacity Lounge is located on the ground level. USC ground tunnel. stadium and conference championship teams — and of 12,000 1934 life-size statues of Wallace Wade, Frank officials are discussing an expansion plan that Thomas, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Gene would add about 8,000 seats and skyboxes to Stallings. Other features include reception the north end zone. areas for A-Club (former players) and Scholar- SKYBOXES: 18 ship-Club level patrons. WEIGHT ROOM: The Charles F. Crews facility, SKYBOXES: 120 which opened in the spring of 2005, includes a 17,834- WEIGHT ROOM: Alabama’s Football Building features a square-foot weight room, meeting rooms and an auditorium. 20,000-square-foot strength and conditioning center, Its total size is 34,729 square feet. coaches’ offices, players lounge, recruiting room, team INDOOR FACILITY: USC’s fieldhouse, which was built in meeting rooms, locker room, rehab center and the Hall of 1991, features a 60-yard AstroTurf field, as well as four ten- Champions, a dedication to the Tide’s history. nis courts and a four-lane track. The facility also has batting INDOOR FACILITY: The Hank Crisp Indoor facility includes a cages and portable pitching mounds for baseball. 110-yard practice field that is fully heated and air-conditioned.

KENTUCKY 10MISSISSIPPI ST. 11VANDERBILT 12

COURTESY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI STATE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF VANDERBILT ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

COMMONWEALTH STADIUM DAVIS WADE STADIUM AT SCOTT FIELD VANDERBILT STADIUM LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus FUN FUN FUN OPENED: 1973 FACTS OPENED: 1914 FACTS OPENED: 1922 FACTS RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1999, 2002 RECENT AND PLANNED RENOVATIONS: 2002, RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1998 TURF: Bermuda grass (new in 2005) The ’07 The TURF: Natural grass The first team’s TURF: Prescription Athletic Turf (natural) Bulldogs night CAPACITY: 68,000 first have CAPACITY: 39,000 game NUTS AND BOLTS: A $27.6 million renovation game CAPACITY: 55,082 gone NUTS AND BOLTS: A JumboTron and $1 million at the in 1999 included the addition of 40 luxury-box at the NUTS AND BOLTS: The largest expansion pro- unde- natural-grass surface were added in 1998. The stadium suites (10 in each corner of the stadium), two stadium ject in the stadium’s history — a $30 million up- feated press box is 17,000 square feet and has four took Diamond Vision video display boards and was a grade that added 10,500 seats, a 1,700-seat club at home levels and two elevators. The John Rich Com- place on approximately 10,000 seats. A new sound 31-26 level and 50 luxury skyboxes — was completed nine plex is the team’s practice facility and features Sept. 25, victory times 1954 system, scoreboards, restrooms and before the 2002 season. In the summer of 1999, two outdoor fields. A renovated weight room against ❑❑ when concession stands also were added. Virginia the Turman Fieldhouse, located on the south that opened in 2002 and is 8,000 square feet in Vandy SKYBOXES: 40 Tech end of the stadium, underwent renovations and The size is housed in the McGugin Center, which is beat now houses enhanced dressing rooms for Mis- team’s located across the street from the stadium and Baylor INDOOR FACILITY/WEIGHT ROOM: The Nutter ❑❑ sissippi State and visiting teams, as well as a longest includes a dining room. 25-19 Training Facility, located on campus, opened The pro- new recruiting lounge for Bulldog football home in 1987 at a cost of $5.7 million. The facility is SKYBOXES: 16 ❑❑ gram’s prospects. The third floor of the Fieldhouse is winning the training center for the football team and INDOOR FACILITY: In the planning stages. only home to a heritage room and gameday gather- streak The first encompasses more than 48,000 square feet. perfect ing place for former Bulldog athletes. was 20 game The 9,000-square-foot weight room, featuring home games, was a 100,000 pounds of free weights, is located record SKYBOXES: 50 from 0-0 tie here, as are locker rooms, meeting rooms, a at the INDOOR FACILITIES/WEIGHT ROOM: The 1939-47 with video and editing room, training rooms, staff stadium Palmeiro Center is a $3.8 million, 68,000- Michigan and player lounges, an aerobics room and was in square-foot, climate-controlled building that three racquetball courts. In 2002, the facility 1977 houses the football and baseball teams. The in- was expanded to include offices for the foot- terior playing area measures 185 feet wide by ball coaching staff. The foyer area includes a 368 feet long. The facility includes retractable memorabilia case containing Kentucky’s football trophies. batting cages and goal posts, as well as a 9,500-square-foot banquet facility. In April of 2005, the 46,000-square-foot Holliman Center opened, providing the football program with a new practice locker room, equipment room, team meeting rooms, lounge and weight room. The weight room is 10,000 square feet and features 22 power stations. Also, there are plans for a $1.2 million practice field to be completed by the beginning of the 2007 academic year. SEC FACILITIES: BASEBALL

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S10

ARKANSAS 1234AUBURN MISSISSIPPI ST. MISSISSIPPI

COURTESY OF ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF AUBURN ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI STATE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

BAUM STADIUM SAMFORD STADIUM- DUDY NOBLE FIELD, OXFORD-UNIVERSITY HITCHCOCK FIELD POLK-DEMENT STADIUM STADIUM/SWAYZE FIELD LOCATION: On campus OPENED: 1998 LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus SURFACE: Natural grass OPENED: 1950 OPENED: 1967 OPENED: 1988 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2003, ’04, ’05, ongoing SURFACE: Natural grass SURFACE: Tiflawn and Tifway II Bermuda Grass SURFACE: Natural grass DIMENSIONS: 320 feet to left field, 375 to left- RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2001, ’02, ’04 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2000, ’02, ’04 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2000, ’03 center, 400 to center, 375 to right-center, 320 to DIMENSIONS: 315 feet to left field, 335 to left- DIMENSIONS: 330 feet to left field, 376 to left- DIMENSIONS: 330 feet to left field, 360 to left- right center, 385 to center, 360 to right-center, 331 to center, 390 to center, 374 to right-center, 374 to center, 390 to center, 360 to right-center, 330 to CAPACITY: 9,133 right. right. right NUTS AND BOLTS: A total of 2,600 chairback CAPACITY: 4,096 CAPACITY: Approximately 7,200 permanent, with CAPACITY: 3,500 seats were added in 2003, and hitting and pitch- NUTS AND BOLTS: There is a 30-foot high “Green extended outfield capacity (largest attendance NUTS AND BOLTS: Lounges in right and left ing cages were enclosed. The following year, 12 Monster” in left field. In 2001, a $2.3 million was 14,991 in 1989) fields were constructed in 2000. Oakes Pavilion luxury suites and coaches’ offices were built, and renovation added 630 chairback seats down the NUTS AND BOLTS: The 2000 renovation added 18 features picnic tables and barbecue stands. a video scoreboard and traditional hand clock lines and provided additional concession stands skyboxes and more than 600 chairback seats. Locker rooms, coaches’ offices and a players’ were erected in right field. There are 14 luxury and restrooms. A 13,274-square-foot strength The Bulldogs’ locker room was refurbished in lounge are located underneath the stadium. In suites, and further renovation plans include the and rehabilitation center was built adjacent to 2002, and a new scoreboard was installed in the fall of 2003, a 6,800-square-foot indoor addition of 21 suite (equipped with restrooms), the stadium in 2004. The first floor contains a 2004. An office complex for coaches that in- batting facility was built along the first-base line. restrooms, concession stands and 1,200 box weight room for baseball, women’s basketball cludes a heritage room is located between the There is a workout area for pitchers located seats and an expanded picnic area behind left and soccer players and a locker room. The stadium and the Palmeiro Center. beneath the first-base stands. field. The stadium has 6,133 chairback seats and second floor houses a rehab center for use by all a clubhouse, which includes locker rooms, a students. The team’s clubhouse includes a locker player lounge and training room. room, training area, hitting tunnels, lounge area and coaches’ offices.

ALABAMA 5678GEORGIA LSU FLORIDA

COURTESY OF ALABAMA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF GEORGIA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF LSU ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF FLORIDA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

SEWELL-THOMAS STADIUM FOLEY FIELD ALEX BOX STADIUM MCKETHAN STADIUM

LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus OPENED: 1948 OPENED: 1966 OPENED: 1984 OPENED: 1988 SURFACE: Natural grass SURFACE: Natural grass SURFACE: Natural grass SURFACE: Natural grass RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2001, current RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2003 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1999 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2005 ’06 DIMENSIONS: 325 feet to left field, 365 to left- DIMENSIONS: 345 feet to left field, 370 to left- DIMENSIONS: 330 feet to left field, 365 to left- DIMENSIONS: 329 feet to left field, 365 to left- center, 400 to center, 365 to right-center, 325 to center, 404 to center; 365 to right-center; 314 to center, 405 to center, 365 to right-center, 330 to center, 400 to center, 375 to right-center, 325 to right right. right. right. CAPACITY: 6,118 CAPACITY: 3,291 CAPACITY: 7,760 CAPACITY: 5,000 NUTS AND BOLTS: A $4 million expansion was NUTS AND BOLTS: The new Foley Field was NUTS AND BOLTS: The “Home Run Village” park- NUTS AND BOLTS: A $13 million expansion to completed in 2001. It involved extending the constructed at a cost of $3.5 million in 1990. The ing area behind the outfield fence allows fans to McKethan Stadium and the Lemerand Athletic grandstand down the right-field line, adding 2,000 grandstand area is covered by a partial roof. A tailgate. A new outfield fence was installed in Center that will be completed in the summer will seats and the construction of three ticket booths, new playing surface and drainage system were 1995 with a 15-foot hitters’ backdrop in center result in additional stadium seating and a base- five concession stands and five restrooms each installed in the summer of 2003. The lower level field. A billboard commemorating LSU’s national ball-specific building that will include a training for men and women. It also gave the team a includes locker rooms that were renovated in titles stands above the right-field wall. The facil- facility, video room, offices and locker rooms, as clubhouse and locker room in the stadium, as 2004 and training rooms, as well as indoor prac- ity includes locker rooms, a training room and a well as a new bullpen/batting cage building with well as three indoor batting cages, a meeting tice facilities. There are four skyboxes. players’ lounge. concessions and an upper deck overlooking the room, training room, equipment room and playing field. coaches’ offices. There is an elevator to the press box. A $2.5 million project was announced in mid-May that will replace seats, renovate the con- courses and expand and renovate the press box.

TENNESSEE 9101112VANDERBILT SOUTH CAROLINA KENTUCKY

COURTESY OF TENNESSEE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF VANDERBILT ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT RICH GLICKSTEIN/[email protected] COURTESY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

LINDSEY NELSON STADIUM HAWKINS FIELD SARGE FRYE FIELD CLIFF HAGAN STADIUM

LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus OPENED: 1993 OPENED: 2002 OPENED: 1977 OPENED: 1969 SURFACE: Natural grass SURFACE: Natural grass SURFACE: Natural grass SURFACE: Bermuda grass RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2003, ’06 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2005, ’06 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1999, 2001 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2001 CAPACITY: 3,712 DIMENSIONS: 310 feet to left field, 375 to left- DIMENSIONS: 325 feet to left field, 360 feet to DIMENSIONS: 340 feet to left field, 365 to left- DIMENSIONS: 320 feet to left field, 360 to left- center, 400 to center, 375 to right-center, 335 to left-center, 390 to center, 360 to right-center, 325 center, 390 to center, 350 to right-center, 310 to center, 404 to center, 358 to right-center, 330 to right to right right right. CAPACITY: 2,000 CAPACITY: 6,000 (overflow crowds in excess of CAPACITY: 3,000, including standing room NUTS AND BOLTS: A scoreboard with a video NUTS AND BOLTS: The 2-year-old stadium was capacity are common) NUTS AND BOLTS: Kentucky moved into the screen was installed in 2003. Left-field bleachers expanded from 1,500 seats to 2,000 — all chair- NUTS AND BOLTS: The visitors’ dugout was renovated, $4.2 million stadium in 2002. Changes were added this year to put capacity at its cur- back — in the spring of 2005. A 35-foot wall sits equipped with a restroom and 1,800 chairback included the addition of a press box and two rent level. Beneath the seating area is a club- in left field. A stadium clubhouse featuring seats were added in 1999. In 2002, 400 chairback luxury boxes. Old-style brick walls along the house that features locker rooms, a training coaches’ offices, a locker room and classroom seats were added. The team is scheduled to be- left- and right-field lines were constructed. room, video room, hitting tunnel and lounge was built in the spring of this year. gin play in 2008 in a new, $20 million stadium A two-story, brick clubhouse is planned that will area. with a capacity of 6,800. include a team meeting room, locker room, equipment room, kitchen, training room and a terrace that overlooks the field. SEC FACILITIES: BASKETBALL

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S11

ARKANSAS 1234KENTUCKY SOUTH CAROLINA FLORIDA

COURTESY OF ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT FILE PHOTOGRAPH/THE STATE COURTESY OF FLORIDA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

BUD WALTON ARENA RUPP ARENA COLONIAL CENTER STEPHEN C. O’CONNELL CENTER LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: Off campus, downtown Lexington LOCATION: On campus OPENED: 1993 OPENED: 1976 OPENED: 2002 LOCATION: On campus RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2004, ’05 CAPACITY: 23,000 RECENT RENOVATIONS: None OPENED: 1981 CAPACITY: 19,200 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2001 CAPACITY: 18,000 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1999, 2002 SKYBOXES: 35 SKYBOXES: None SKYBOXES: 41 suites, four Entertainment Suites CAPACITY: 12,000 NUTS AND BOLTS: A custom scoreboard in the NUTS AND BOLTS: Recent renovations, costing and the Frank McGuire Club, a full-service hos- SKYBOXES: None shape of a basketball hoop was erected in 2004. $15 million, changed the seating structure, added pitality room that will have a capacity of 300 NUTS AND BOLTS: The O’Connell Center, which The home-team locker room was expanded in 160 seats and saw the playing surface receive a NUTS AND BOLTS: The facility features plush seat- also houses the swimming and diving, track and 2005 to include a lounge and meeting area. A new design. The arena contains six team-size ing, a technologically advanced sound system, a volleyball teams, had a $10 million facelift in the ground-level museum pays tribute to the Razor- dressing rooms and eight smaller ones. In 2001, four-sided video scoreboard and retractable seat- summer of 1998 to replace the teflon-coated roof backs’ 1994 national championship team and the videoboards measuring 12½-by-20 feet were ing to accommodate ice events and concerts. Also with a permanent structure. The project also basketball, track, baseball, tennis and golf pro- installed in the four corners of the arena. included are locker rooms for the men’s and upgraded the sound and lighting system. A $2.5 grams. Displays on the concourse levels salute The Kentucky women play in the Memorial women’s teams, meeting rooms, recruiting rooms, million project in 1999 upgraded concessions, recent Razorbacks highlights. Coliseum, which is located on campus, has a coaches’ locker rooms and a training room. A restrooms and entranceways, and a pair of Dak- capacity of 5,100 (due to current construction) $4.6 million practice facility was built in 1996. tronics scoreboards were installed later that year. and features a weight training and conditioning The indoor track was resurfaced in 2002. The facility. A basketball practice facility for the Center also includes a dance studio, martial arts men’s and women’s programs is being built. It room, practice courts, conditioning facilities, a will house two courts, two locker rooms, a training room and locker rooms. A two-story, weight room, training room and offices. 47,505-square-foot basketball practice complex that opened in 2001 contains multiple gyms, a training room, a 1,900-square-foot weight room, locker rooms, lounges and film rooms.

VANDERBILT 5678TENNESSEE LSU ALABAMA

COURTESY OF VANDERBILT ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF TENNESSEE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF LSU ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF ALABAMA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM THOMPSON-BOILING ARENA PETE MARAVICH COLEMAN COLISEUM ASSEMBLY CENTER LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus OPENED: 1952 OPENED: 1987 LOCATION: On campus OPENED: 1968 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2002 RECENT RENOVATIONS: Current OPENED: 1971 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2005 CAPACITY: 14,000 CAPACITY: 24,535 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2004, ’05, current CAPACITY: 15,043 SKYBOXES: One for media, eight for use by fans SKYBOXES: None CAPACITY: 13,472 SKYBOXES: None NUTS AND BOLTS: The $25 million, 2002 renova- NUTS AND BOLTS: The arena is the second- SKYBOXES: None NUTS AND BOLTS: The building houses all ath- tion resulted in a practice facility that is largest on-campus facility in the nation. There NUTS AND BOLTS: The building was built at a cost letic department offices with the exceptions of connected to the gymnasium and includes are plans to add 32 skyboxes and for interior of $11.5 million and celebrated its 35th anniver- men’s tennis, football and swimming. A 2005 coaches’ offices, a hosting room for donors and renovations following the 2007 season. A sary this past season. In 2004, a lighting system project renovated offices, the concourses, con- the Hall of Champions. Other aspects included groundbreaking is schedule for August on the was installed that allows for special player intro- cessions stands, locker rooms and training the addition of skyboxes, upgrades to the seating $15 million Pratt Pavilion practice facility. It is ductions and ceremonies. Extensive renovations rooms. New seats also were added throughout area and a new light and sound system and court scheduled to be completed by November of 2007 were done in 2005: A new roof surface was the stadium. Coleman includes a suite that serves design. and will include two courts, locker rooms, a installed; the concourse was redesigned, includ- as a reception area, an auxiliary gymnasium, an weight room, film room and training room. ing video and graphic displays; concession stands equipment room and weight rooms. The building and restrooms were upgraded; video kiosks were contains a gymnastics, volleyball and basketball added; the arena’s seats were replaced; and an practice area. elevator was added to take fans to the upper level. The four quadrants of the building feature tributes to All-Americans, Pete Maravich, champi- onship teams and other memories of the teams that played in the arena.

MISSISSIPPI ST. 9101112GEORGIA AUBURN MISSISSIPPI

COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI STATE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF GEORGIA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF AUBURN ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

HUMPHREY COLISEUM STEGEMAN COLISEUM BEARD-EAVES-MEMORIAL C.M. ‘TAD’ SMITH COLISEUM COLISEUM LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus LOCATION: On campus OPENED: 1975 OPENED: 1964 LOCATION: On campus OPENED: 1966 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1998, 2000, ’04 CAPACITY: 10,523 OPENED: 1969 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 2000, ’01 CAPACITY: 10,500 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1995, ’98, 2006 RECENT RENOVATIONS: 1997, 2006 CAPACITY: 8,700 SKYBOXES: None SKYBOXES: None CAPACITY: 10,500 SKYBOXES: None NUTS AND BOLTS: A 1998 renovation added NUTS AND BOLTS: In the past year, a new SKYBOXES: None NUTS AND BOLTS: Renovations in 2001 included 1,000 chairback seats, and in 2000 a new maple- videoboard, sound system and chairback seating NUTS AND BOLTS: The first phase of a $10 million new, upholstered seats, a video board, score- wood floor was installed. A four-sided, center- in the lower levels were added. The training renovation project began in 1997 with new base- boards and a sound system. Also, the court was hung video scoreboard was installed, and the room for Olympic-sport athletes is located in the line and sideline seating, a new playing floor and painted in a new scheme. The previous year, the locker room underwent a $500,000 upgrade in coliseum. The school broke ground in February scoreboard and the construction of coaches’ of- stadium’s exterior was painted, and the con- 2004. A similar project for the women’s locker on a 120,000-square-foot annex. It will include fices in the upper north end of the coliseum. A course was painted and tiled. In 1998, a complex room is to begin soon. separate areas for the men’s and women’s bas- $500,000 floor covering the entire surface of the opened in the stadium’s south side. It includes ketball and gymnastics teams, two basketball coliseum was installed this spring. The majority of coaches’ offices, conference rooms and a lobby practice courts, locker rooms, lounges, coaches’ athletic department offices, as well as physical ed- area. The coliseum also includes four locker offices and meeting rooms, as well as a weight- ucation offices and dressing rooms, are located in rooms — which underwent renovations last fall training facility for all Olympics sports teams the coliseum. There is an ongoing study to deter- — and a training area. and a training room. mine whether to build a new, on-campus arena or renovate the coliseum and build a practice facility. SEC FACILITIES: OLYMPIC SPORTS

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S12

GEORGIA 123TENNESSEE ARKANSAS

COURTESY OF GEORGIA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF TENNESSEE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF ARKANSAS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

GABRIELSEN NATATORIUM (above) GOODFRIEND INDOOR TENNIS CENTER RANDAL TYSON TRACK CENTER

TENNIS: The Dan Magill Tennis complex houses Henry Feild Stadium, TENNIS: The Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center has six courts and TENNIS: The Dills Indoor Tennis Center opened in 1982, and after the Joe Heldmann Pavilion, the Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame and seats 2,000. A two-story clubhouse includes locker rooms, coaches’ 2002 renovations the facility includes six courts, locker rooms and the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Facility. The stadium features six courts offices, an equipment room, media room and concessions. coaches’ offices. The outdoor complex has 10 courts. and seats 4,500. The indoor facility has four courts and seating for 1,200, as well as a restaurant pavilion. The Joe Heldmann Pavilion is a SOFTBALL: Since the program was started in 1995, the Vols have SOFTBALL: The former George Cole Baseball Field was renovated balcony that overlooks the courts and has a few private boxes. The played their home games at an off-campus park. The school is to into Lady’Back Yard when the school added softball in 1997. The school is close to completion on a $7.5 million project to provide two- break ground this summer on an on-campus facility, Lee Softball facility features a four-room press box and a roofed batting cage. level clubhouses for the men’s and women’s teams that will include Stadium, that will include locker rooms, restrooms and concession There are plans to renovate the dugouts, lifting them to field level locker rooms, study lounges, reception areas and meeting rooms. stands. It is slated to be ready by next season. and adding restrooms.

SOFTBALL/SOCCER: The softball and soccer facilities are located at SOCCER: Construction is under way on a new stadium that will fea- SOCCER: Lady’Back Field was constructed in 1992 and is believed the same site. The softball team recently completed its third season ture locker rooms, concession stands and a press box. It will seat to be the first collegiate soccer field built solely for a women’s in a stadium that seats 1,300. The facility includes locker rooms, 3,000 and is scheduled to be ready for the upcoming season. team. It features a fieldhouse that includes locker rooms. Expan- coaches’ offices, lounges, a training room and strength and condi- sion in 2001 boosted capacity to 1,500 and added a press box. The tioning room. Completed in the spring of 2004, the soccer club- SWIMMING: The $22 million Allan Jones Student Aquatic Center is fieldhouse is undergoing changes to add a team meeting room and house features renovated locker rooms, training and video rooms, a under construction adjacent to the current facility. The new build- a medical area and to expand the locker room. full-service kitchen/catering area, a players’ lounge and coaches’ ing will include a new pool, diving well and locker rooms. It is offices. New bathrooms and concession stands were added last scheduled to be completed in January of 2008 and will seat 2,000. SWIMMING: The Arkansas Natatorium contains an eight-lane, year. The soccer stadium seats 1,700. 50-meter pool with two 1- and 3-meter diving boards and 5- and TRACK: Tom Black Track opened in 1968, and it is an eight-lane, 10-meter platforms. A locker room and lounge were added in 2000. SWIMMING: The Gabrielsen Natatorium is located inside the Ram- Olympics-style oval that includes dual sets of runways for jumping sey Center, contains three pools and seats nearly 2,000. Coaches’ and pole-vault events. There is seating for 7,500. TRACK: The $6.5 million, indoor Randal Tyson Track Center opened offices and locker rooms are located on the deck level. The in 2000. It includes a two-tiered, 50-seat press box and a 200-meter, 50-meter competition pool can be configured into four layouts to VOLLEYBALL: The Vols play in the Stokley Athletics Center, which 60-degree banked track with jumping runways and pits. The outdoor allow for short- and long-course training. There also are diving (two features a training room and weight room for female athletes. complex is John McDonell Field. The nine-lane track features a 1- and 3-meter boards and five platforms) and practice pools. grass infield, hammer cage and multiple throw areas. The pole vault and jumping pits are reversible and contain two sets of runways. TRACK AND FIELD: Spec Towns Track opened in 1964. It seats 1,000 and includes a press box. An eight-lane track surrounds an area VOLLEYBALL: Barnhill Arena features a locker room that includes a where field events are contested. lounge and team meeting room. The facility underwent a facelift in 2002 so that it could house the gymnastics program. Barnhill con- VOLLEYBALL: Georgia’s volleyball team plays in a 2,000-seat arena tains a museum dedicated solely to Arkansas women’s athletics. inside the Ramsey Center. The locker rooms were renovated in the summer of 2005. OTHER: The Broyles Athletic Center was constructed in 1975 and renovated in 1994. It houses offices for coaches and administrators, OTHER: Ramsey Student Activities Center opened in 1995 at a cost team meeting rooms and training facilities. The center also features of $40 million. The 420,000-square-foot complex features competi- the Jerry Jones/Jim Lindsey Hall of Champions, which highlights tion and practice facilities for gymnastics, swimming and diving, Arkansas’ football heritage. volleyball and basketball. The complex includes five gyms, three The Bev Lewis Center is dedicated to female athletics and swimming pools, three multi-purpose rooms, a climbing wall, ten opened in April of 2003. It features a 15,000-square-foot-training racquetball courts, a weight room and a jogging track room and a 7,000-square-foot strength and conditioning area.

FLORIDA 456LSU ALABAMA

COURTESY OF FLORIDA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF LSU ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF ALABAMA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

SOCCER/TRACK FACILITY TIGER PARK SOFTBALL STADIUM

TENNIS: After a $1.7 million renovation last spring, the Scott Linder TENNIS: W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium opened in 1970 and has a TENNIS: The 12-court stadium was completed in 2004, seats 1,000 Stadium at the Alfred Ring Tennis Complex has 1,000 seats over- capacity of 550. The facility was renovated in 2002 to include a and includes offices, a locker room and training room. The Hank looking six main courts. There are 15 courts overall. The 7,163- media room, equipment room and a ground-floor viewing area for Crisp Indoor Facility features four courts, coaches’ offices and a square-foot complex includes coaches’ offices; training, locker, handicapped fans. The “Dub” includes six varsity courts and six players lounge. weight and conference rooms; a reception area; and a 3,000-square- practice courts, all of which have been resurfaced since 2001. There foot courtyard. are locker rooms, a team room and new showers and bathrooms. SOFTBALL: The $2.2 million stadium was built in 2000 and seats Indoor matches are played at the adjacent Maddox Field House, 1,595. It features a clubhouse that includes a players’ lounge and SOFTBALL: The 1,200-seat stadium opened in 1997 at a cost of $2.7 which features four courts and can seat 3,000. coaches’ offices. The facility also includes a locker room, training million. It includes two enclosed batting cages and a training room. room and batting cages. Two luxury suites are located on either A locker-room facility, featuring training and equipment rooms, SOFTBALL: Tiger Park was built in 1996 and seats 1,000. Its side of the press box. was added in 2001. 2,350-square-foot locker room includes a lounge area, meeting room and a coach’s office. During inclement weather, the team SOCCER: Built in 2004, the facility seats 1,500 and includes locker SOCCER: Percy Beard Track was renovated in 1995 to make way practices indoors at the Charles McClendon Practice Facility. rooms and coaches’ offices. for James G. Pressly Stadium, which included adding restrooms, concession stands and a press box. The soccer teams also have an SOCCER: The LSU Soccer Complex opened in 1996 and seats 1,500. SWIMMING: A $1.2 million renovation to the Aquatic Center was exclusive practice field. It is surrounded by hedges that were installed before the 2005 completed in 1996. Office space, a new pool surface and a new season. The locker room includes a training room, meeting room sound system were added, the locker rooms were refurbished, and SWIMMING: The Stephen C. O’Connell Center Natatorium opened and coaches’ offices. The soccer teams use the Charles McClendon the pool was painted and tiled. The main pool measures 25 yards in 1981. Its main pool is 50 meters long, and there are two 1- and Practice Facility for indoor work. by 50 meters, and there are two 1- and 3-meter diving boards and 3-meter boards and 5- and 10-meter platforms. The outdoor facility 5- and 10-meter platforms. The facility seats 1,500 and includes a features a five-lane, 50-meter pool and training equipment. The SWIMMING: The Natatorium opened in 1985 and seats 2,200. It weight room, meeting rooms and a secondary pool. Carse Complex opened in 1998 and houses coaches’ offices, locker features a 50-meter pool that can be converted into two 25-meter or rooms, a lounge and meeting rooms. 25-yard pools. The diving well was renovated in the summer of TRACK: Sam Bailey Stadium will be renovated in time to play host 2003 with 1- and 3-meter springboards and 5-, 7- and 10-meter to the 2007 SEC Championships. Improvements are planned for the TRACK: Percy Beard Track opened in 1959 and seats 4,000. The platforms. infield, seating, concession stands and restrooms. facility features a nine-lane track, multiple jump runways, three throwing circles for both the shot put and discus, three high-jump TRACK: Bernie Moore Stadium opened in 1969 and seats 5,680. A VOLLEYBALL: The Coleman Auxiliary Volleyball Extension opened approaches and nine pole-vault boxes. The Stephen C. O’Connell nine-lane, 400-meter, oval track was laid in 1999. The facility contains in 1996 and is part of Coleman Coliseum. Additional seating is Center includes an indoor facility that has a 200-meter track and three dual-directional jump runways (six pits), a high-jump apron planned for the “CAVE,” boosting its capacity to 1,000. The team’s seats 3,000. that can accommodate three simultaneous competitions, a choice of locker room is located in Coleman Coliseum. four pole-vault directions, two separate shot-put areas, a choice of VOLLEYBALL: The team plays its matches in the Stephen C. O’Con- three wind-directional discus areas, two hammer cages and a syn- nell Center. thetic javelin runway. The Carl Maddox Field House is the indoor track. It was built in 1975, seats 3,000 and includes a weight room. OTHER: All Florida athletes can use the 11,000 square feet worth of strength and conditioning equipment in the Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Ath- VOLLEYBALL: The program is housed in the Pete Maravich Assem- letic Training Center. bly Center. Along with the main-court area, an auxiliary gym — The 43,000-square-foot Lemerand Athletic Center opened in with a recently refinished court — is located underground in the 1995. It includes locker rooms, training facilities and coaches’ north section of the arena. offices for most of the spring programs, as well as three volleyball courts. OTHER: The Martin J. Broussard Center for Athletic Training was built in 1998 and is 23,000 square feet in size. It features an X-ray room, pharmacy, vision and dental centers and hydrotherapy pools. SEC FACILITIES: OLYMPIC SPORTS

THE STATE, COLUMBIA, S.C. • WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 • PAGE S13 ++

KENTUCKY 789AUBURN MISSISSIPPI

COURTESY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF AUBURN ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

NUTTER FIELD HOUSE JAMES E. MARTIN AQUATICS CENTER OLE MISS SOFTBALL COMPLEX

TENNIS: The Hilary J. Boone Varsity Tennis Complex opened in TENNIS: The Luther Young Tennis Complex, which seats 1,000, TENNIS: The Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center opened in 1990. It fea- January 1986. In 1997, a $1.5 million expansion was completed to opened in 1978 and contains six courts. The facility is to undergo a tures a 500-seat stadium that houses restrooms, dressing rooms, a include a 1,500-seat stadium, two center courts and four hard $3.5 million facelift this year that will add four indoor courts as well team meeting room and offices. Courtside pavilions provide seating courts. The indoor center contains four courts, a weight room, as a new stadium, including outdoor courts. for an additional 300. There are nine varsity courts. meeting room, locker room and offices. Adjacent to the complex are 18 recreational courts. SOFTBALL: Jane B. Moore Field was built in 1998 and seats 1,500. SOFTBALL: Recent renovations to the Ole Miss Softball Complex, at The final phase of the complex, completed before the 2003 season, a cost of $1.2 million, included a new indoor facility, pressbox, SOFTBALL: The UK Softball Stadium seats approximately 500 and added a concession area, two indoor batting cages and a press box video and audio systems, lighting and fixtures and a central seating features two batting cages. that includes two luxury boxes. The 44,000-square-foot McWhorter section with chairback seats, refurbished dugouts and a brick Center serves as the program’s home (as well as the gymnastics facade lining the grandstands. The 6-year-old stadium seats 1,000. SOCCER: The UK Soccer Complex opened in 1996 and seats 1,500. team) and includes a locker room, training room and players’ lounge. The facility contains a practice field, locker rooms and a training SOCCER: The Ole Miss Soccer Stadium opened in 1997 and seats room. SOCCER: The complex was constructed in 1994 and seats 1,500. In 1,500. In 2002 a two-story, brick building was constructed that 2001, lights were added and the press box was remodeled. In 2002, supplied a three-room media area on the top floor and restroom SWIMMING: The Lancaster Aquatic Center opened in 1989. Eighteen the drainage system was renovated, and built-in restrooms were and concession facilities on the bottom floor. swimming lanes are available while diving events are in progress. added. Prior to this season, a scoreboard was installed. There are two 1- and 3-meter diving boards and three platforms, as SWIMMING: Mississippi does not have swimming and diving teams. well as and weight and training rooms. The center seats 750. SWIMMING: The James E. Martin Aquatics Center, a 77,629-square- foot facility featuring an Olympics-sized pool, opened in 1993 and TRACK: The Ole Miss Track and Field Complex features nine lanes TRACK: A six-lane, 290-meter track is located inside Nutter Field seats approximately 1,000. There are two 1- and 3-meter diving and field-event areas and was completed in the fall of 2003. House. Shively Track is the outdoor facility, and it consists of a boards and five platforms. The main area connects to the former 400-meter track with a duel set of runways for jumping, and four facility, which now serves as a warm-up and practice pool. OTHER: The Gillom Sports Center opened in 1997 and is home to throwing areas. the volleyball program. It also features offices and locker rooms for TRACK: The Hutsell-Rosen Track opened in 2006 at a cost of $5.5 the rifle, soccer, softball and volleyball programs; three indoor ten- VOLLEYBALL: The team practices in Alumni Gym and plays matches million and features a new track with jumping and throwing areas. nis courts; a volleyball court; and a basketball/volleyball practice in Memorial Coliseum. Upon completion of the basketball practice It will play host to the 2008 SEC Outdoor Championships. court. The 54,142-square-foot facility also includes a training room, facility, the volleyball team will practice, train and hold offices in two visitors locker rooms and team meeting rooms for soccer, soft- Memorial Coliseum. VOLLEYBALL: The Student Activities Center encloses 95,000 square ball and volleyball. feet of multiple-use, student-oriented facilities. The volleyball matches The $2.5 million Starnes Athletic Training Center features a OTHER: The Shively Training Facility houses the baseball, swim- are held in the arena, a 2,000-seat, multi-function room. Two score- training room, locker room, equipment room, laundry area and ming and diving, track, tennis, softball and soccer teams. It con- boards have been added to each end of the court. The facility also is seven meeting rooms on the first floor. The second floor houses tains a 3,700-square-foot weight room. home to four basketball/volleyball courts and a weight room and fit- two meeting rooms, one a large, theater-style room. The facility The 132,000-square-foot Nutter Field House opened in 1993. It ness room that are open to all Auburn students. On the second floor extends to the east to a section that contains a 10,000-square-foot includes a full-size football field and a 9,000-square-foot gymnastics are offices and rooms that can host other, smaller-scale sports. weight room, conference room and offices. On the second level is room. The facility can accommodate the year-round needs of 12 Hollingsworth/Manning Hall, a recruiting lounge and display of Kentucky sports programs, and a netting system allows the com- OTHER: The 80,000-square-foot Auburn Athletic Complex houses all Mississippi trophies and memorabilia. plex to be divided into separate sections. An 11,500-square foot football operations, as well as athletic department offices. The first multipurpose room attached to the fieldhouse will be used as a hos- floor contains the Lovelace Museum, a tribute to Tigers athletics; pitality room for recruits and to host other university functions. the Rane Reception Room, which displays football trophies; football locker rooms; and a training room. Football position meeting rooms are on the second floor, and the third floor houses offices.

SOUTH CAROLINA 10VANDERBILT 11MISSISSIPPI ST. 12

RICH GLICKSTEIN/[email protected] COURTESY OF VANDERBILT ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI STATE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

BECKHAM FIELD BROWNLEE O. CURREY JR. TENNIS CENTER A.J. PITTS TENNIS CENTRE

TENNIS: The Maxcy Gregg Tennis Center serves as the outdoor TENNIS: The Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center opened in 1993. TENNIS: The six-court, 1,000-seat A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre was built home for the women’s program. It includes a locker room, lounge, The two-story facility contains five courts, locker rooms, a training in 1984. A complex under the grandstands houses locker rooms six courts and seats 700. The men’s team is housed at the six-court room, audio/visual room and seats 200 and a concession stand. A press box was built during the winter of Sam Daniels Tennis Center. The programs also have access to four 2003-04, and the facility features a brick courtyard between the indoor courts at the Fieldhouse. SOFTBALL: Vanderbilt does not have a softball team. tennis center and softball field. McCarthy Gymnasium, the former home of the men’s basketball team, was converted into a tennis SOFTBALL: Beckham Field opened in 1986, and a renovation in SOCCER: A soccer/lacrosse complex was built in 2002 at a cost of facility in 1999. It has two courts and seats 3,000. 1999 increased capacity from 1,000 to 1,500. A covered hitting facil- nearly $2 million. It seats 2,400 and has locker rooms for the home ity was built in 2004. and visiting teams. SOFTBALL: The field was constructed in 1997 and seats about 750. In 2004, a 100,000-square-foot indoor facility was completed at the SOCCER: Eugene E. Stone Stadium opened in 1996 and seats 4,000. SWIMMING: The school plans to rent a nearby pool for a swimming cost of $500,000. It houses a hitting area, training room, coaches’ The facility features two team rooms, a referees’ room and a con- program that is scheduled to be started in the next year. offices and a locker room. cessions stand. TRACK: A $1.7 million renovation was completed in 2003 that fea- SOCCER: The soccer complex was built in 1995 and seats about SWIMMING: The Carolina Natatorium includes a 10-lane, 50-meter tured the installation of a new surface. Vanderbilt hosted the 2005 500. Upgrades to the locker room during the past three years added pool and an attached diving well with 1- and 3-meter boards and SEC Outdoor Championships. custom-made wooden lockers and new carpet. Permanent team 5- and 7-meter platforms. The building was renovated in 2000 to bench areas recently were constructed, and upcoming projects become an semi-open-air facility and to include new coaches’ VOLLEYBALL: Vanderbilt does not have a volleyball team. include plans for a press box, concession stand and bathrooms, as offices, meeting rooms and a Wall of Fame featuring All-Ameri- well as landscaping efforts. cans. Capacity is 1,200. SWIMMING: Mississippi State does not have swimming and diving TRACK: Weems Baskin opened in 1969 and is an eight-lane, teams. 400-meter track. Inside of the track are two multi-directional long and triple jump runways that include four pits, as well as vault and TRACK: In the past year at Carl Maddox Track, improvements have high-jump areas and throwing facilities. There is seating for 2,200. been made to the men’s and women’s locker rooms and the weight The indoor stadium features a three-lane, 250-meter track. room. The facility seats 3,500. A $4.5 million renovation of the facil- ity is under way. VOLLEYBALL: The indoor basketball facility, completed in 1996 at a cost of $4.6 million, also houses the volleyball program. VOLLEYBALL: The 12,000-square-foot Newell-Grissom Building seats 3,500. Recent renovations added a central air conditioning system and chairback seats. The facility includes locker rooms and team meeting areas.

OTHER: The two-story Shira Fieldhouse Complex is attached to the Holliman center and includes football meeting rooms, a weight room used by roughly half of the school’s teams, a locker room for the track and field teams and a practice-field area. S14 WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2006 THE STATE, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA WWW.THESTATE.COM

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