Iowa State on Monday released architectural sketches for its south end zone project at Jack Trice Stadium. Plans and schematic designs for the first phase of the construction will go to the Board of Regents for final approval on June 5. The initial phase of the renovation will enclose the south end zone at the stadium with a permanent upper and lower seating bowl. That structure will house a new two-story premium club space, include an additional HD-quality video board/sound system and connect the east and west concourses. Stadium capacity will exceed 61,000 upon completion of the project in August ‘15 (ISU).
BALLYARD BATTLE: Alabama AD Bill Battle on Tuesday said that the university is “entrenched in negotiations” to play its ‘15 baseball season at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. In Birmingham, Andrew Gribble noted after this weekend's series against Mississippi State -- barring an NCAA regional in Tuscaloosa -- “construction will begin” on $35M worth of renovations to Sewell Thomas Stadium. The renovations "will be complete” for the ‘16 season. Logistics are the “biggest concern with the arrangement, particularly when it comes to finding a way to transport" students and Tuscaloosa-based fans to the games (AL.com, 5/13).
NEW HORIZONS: In Baltimore, Keith Meisel noted Univ. of Maryland-Baltimore County officials on Monday announced that the Retriever Activities Center that was the home of the men's and women's basketball teams as well as volleyball "will be replaced.” UMBC Dir of Facilities Management Joe Rexing said that the new events and convocation center is “expected to open" sometime in the ‘17-18 school year. The arena “will be on campus near the present site of the UMBC Stadium and baseball's Alumni Field and softball stadium” (Baltimore SUN, 5/13).
FOUR SCORE: South Dakota AD David Herbster on Tuesday said that "the initial groundbreaking date for four new athletic facilities, including a new arena," was initially set for May 12, but school officials are "still waiting on a signed agreement with the contractors.” Herbster “didn’t have an official timeline.” But he is optimistic that ground "could be broken before the end of the month” (Yankton PRESS & DAKOTAN, 5/14).
