In Detroit, Matt Charboneau noted Michigan State is in the process of renovating Breslin Center, and "when the project is complete, a portion will be named in honor of basketball coach Tom Izzo, pending Board of Trustee approval.” The Tom Izzo Hall of History is “expected to be completed” by the next fall and is part of a $20M project that “will include a new ticket box office, a championship display, the Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center, a recruiting lounge, alumni locker room and interactive areas.” Donors Bob and Julie Skandalaris "wanted to permanently recognize Izzo” as part of their $10M gift made in ’14 (DETROITNEWS.com, 9/24).
HURRICANE SEASON: In Ft. Lauderdale, Christy Cabrera Chirinos noted Miami on Friday unveiled renderings for the $34M Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility, but the school “has not announced when construction on the 81,800-square-foot facility will begin.” The family of UM supporter Carol Soffer is donating $14M “to help build” the facility, which will be “completed in time” for the ’18 season. UM to date “has already raised” $24M for the facility, but will “need to complete its fundraising effort” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 9/24). In Miami, Susan Miller Degnan wrote, “Have to give kudos to UM athletic director Blake James, who pulled off the unlikely Mark Richt hiring and has been a real plus for the Hurricanes in pretty much every area” (MIAMIHERALD.com, 9/23).
RAZING ARIZONA? In Tucson, Greg Hansen wrote Arizona AD Greg Byrne “hopes to someday remodel the infrastructure and seating at Arizona Stadium, reducing capacity to about 50,000.” An RFP deadline was June 2, and “interviews with potential designers and builders were to begin" on Aug. 17. The full feasibility study is “scheduled in November and December,” but dates for design and construction “have not been set” (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 9/24).
