The playing surface of Aloha Stadium will become known as “Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium” under an agreement announced Thursday by the airline and stadium. Terms of the “multi-year deal were not announced but are expected to be in the range of five years for $2.5 million.” The airline said that it also “will help fund University of Hawaii travel costs” (STARADVERTISER.com, 8/4).
PLANS ALTERED: In Milwaukee, Jeff Potrykus reported the Univ. of Wisconsin's $76.8M Athletic Performance Center "has a new design and slightly different location since the project was first made public last year." The facility "will be attached to the McClain Center, which is to be gutted and rebuilt, and a redesigned north end of Camp Randall Stadium." The original design "called for a stand-alone facility on a surface parking lot just east of Lot 17, which is immediately behind the north end of the stadium." The "main highlights of the Athletic Performance Center will still include a new football locker room and new areas for strength and conditioning and sports medicine" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/4).
TIME FOR AN UPGRADE: In Houston, Joseph Duarte reported Rice Univ. is "exploring options to upgrade its football facilities, including the possible addition of a new end-zone complex at 60-year-old Rice Stadium." Rice AD Rick Greenspan Tuesday said that a "student-used weight room and training room areas for the football program are 'the highest on our list.'" Greenspan added that a proposal "will be presented to school president David Leebron and board of trustees for approval by late September" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/4).
MAKING AN IMPRESSION: In Atlanta, Doug Roberson noted Georgia State Univ.'s football players were "stunned" when they got their first glimpse earlier this week of the $6M GSU Sports Complex. Among the facilities' features are "eight small meeting rooms" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/4).
