In San Jose, Jeff Faraudo notes Cal's Haas Pavilion will receive $10M in improvements, "including a center-hung scoreboard, to be completed" by the fall of '15. The renovation of the school's basketball facility, "made possible through a gift from the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, will also provide upgraded sound and lighting systems and modernized video production facilities." Construction is "expected to begin in May" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/26).
SPARTY TIME: In Michigan, Joe Rexrode notes Michigan State showed off its "sparkling athletics facility," a $24.5M, 50,000-square-foot renovation to the north end zone of Spartan Stadium "anchored by a plush, spacious home locker room." MSU Deputy AD Greg Ianni said that the upgrade "eliminates the last glaring weak spot in MSU's facilities roster -- a decades-old locker room that was 'an embarrassment.'" MSU Senior Assocate AD Chuck Sleeper said that more than $24M was raised, "with 30 of the 100 lockers still open for sponsorships -- at $50,000 a pop" (LANSING STATE JOURNAL, 8/26).
SWEET AS VANDY: In Nashville, Nick Cole notes Vanderbilt fans "should notice some changes at Vanderbilt Stadium" as part of the SEC's "initiative to improve fan experience at all 14 stadiums." Restrooms "were updated and painted and attendants will be added." New menu items "have been added, including five different themed dogs." The amount of items sold in the stands "will be doubled, and specialty carts will be relocated to ease congestion." There also were "enhancements made to the video control room" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/24).
ROCK CHALK AND A HARD PLACE: In KC, Rustin Dodd reports the Kansas women's soccer team "can’t play at its new facility in the multi-million-dollar Rock Chalk Park because of poor conditions on the grass field." KU Associate AD Jim Marchiony said that the team "could be out of its new home until mid-September." The field during KU's season opener against Wyoming last Friday "had noticeable areas of sand and more divots as the night went on" (K.C. STAR, 8/26).
