The Nebraska Board of Regents took "significant steps Thursday toward big additions to athletic facilities on both its Omaha and Lincoln campuses," according to Julie Anderson of the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD. The board first approved an "inter-local agreement with the City of Omaha that marks the next move toward a proposed $76 million complex for the University of Nebraska at Omaha that would include a new hockey arena and homes for the basketball and volleyball programs." The city under the agreement slated to go to the Omaha City Council will "be asked to contribute" $6.3M toward the project. The regents via a separate vote approved a $20.4M "new home for the University of Nebraska’s soccer and tennis teams." That complex will be "located on the edge of what was State Fair Park." Donations to the athletic department "will cover the entire cost of the project" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 7/19).
FIELD PASS: The DETROIT FREE PRESS reported the Univ. of Michigan Board of Regents approved a $13.5M "field hockey complex." The concept of the project was "approved by the regents in May, but the athletic department was asking for approval of the schematic design." The new facility will "be 13,000 square feet, with locker rooms, coaches' offices, training facilities and meeting space." There also will be a "new grandstand to seat 1,500 spectators, plus a concessions building with public restrooms" (FREEP.com, 7/18).
ALL EYES ON IOWA: In Des Moines, Andrew Logue reported the Univ. of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium is getting a $9M "video and sound upgrade." Iowa Senior Associate AD Jane Meyer said that the project "could be complete in time for Iowa's annual Kids Day on Aug. 17." The south board is "120 feet wide and 31 feet tall, with high-definition capabilities." Two video walls on the north side "measure approximately 38 feet wide and 21 feet tall." A video ribbon board will "stand 8 feet tall and stretch 400 feet" (DESMOINESREGISTER.com, 7/17).
THE COWBOY WAY: In Oklahoma City, Gina Mizell reported Oklahoma State Univ. has completed its 92,000-square-foot "sparkling indoor practice facility." The $19M Sherman E. Smith Training Center will "immediately become another recruiting asset" for OSU. There is a "full artificial-turf football field that can also be expanded into a full soccer field." The ceilings are "high enough for punting and kicking drills and for the baseball and softball teams to field pop-ups" (OKLAHOMAN, 7/16).
