In K.C., Tod Palmer noted Missouri has "aggressively upgraded its athletics infrastructure" as part of the school's $200M facilities master plan. Memorial Stadium's $45.5M east-side expansion will "add 4,100 upper deck seats and 1,200 premium seats" ahead of the '14 football season. The new construction also "doubles the street-level concourse and adds a 23,000-square-foot indoor club." The east-side expansion "should be completed before the Aug. 30 season opener" against South Dakota State (K.C. STAR, 7/26).
SAVOR THE FLAVOR: In Texas, Regina Dennis noted Baylor has "contracted with food vendor Savor to handle concessions at all of its athletics facilities." Savor has been "working on a custom concessions menu" for McLane Stadium since January. However, alcohol "will not be sold at the Savor concession stands during games, nor served in suites or the private Baylor Club on site, which are managed separately by Club Corp." The stadium will "have 248 checkout lines between all the fixed and mobile concession stands" (WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD, 7/27).
SCHOOL TIES: In Milwaukee, Don Walker reported the Wisconsin Center District last week approved a 10-year deal to give the Wisconsin-Milwaukee naming rights to U.S. Cellular Arena, where the school plays basketball. The school also has the "right to host concerts and other programming" at the newly named UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. As part of the deal, UWM "will be given extensive arena signage, and will have a presence on the new scoreboard, all district video boards and on the district's website" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/27).
JAM SESSION: In San Diego, Mark Zeigler noted the California State Univ. BOT has "formally approved" the proposed JAM Center name for San Diego State's new basketball practice facility. Former Qualcomm CMO Jeff Jacobs gave the initial $1M gift toward the $14.5M project, "then added another $500,000." Official groundbreaking is scheduled for Aug. 27 (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/26).
