Arizona State Univ. "still wants to be the new home" for USA Basketball, but governing body Chair Jerry Colangelo said that "such a move is unlikely to happen," according to Jeff Metcalfe of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Colangelo added that USA Basketball "probably will remain in Colorado Springs," its home since '93. Plans for a $436M project known as USA Place on ASU property "fell apart in January when ASU ended negotiations with developer Concord Eastridge." ASU President Michael Crow on Friday said the university subsequently "made a proposal to USA Basketball that outlined for them ways in which we can facilitate nearly everything they asked for to bring USA Basketball to Arizona." He added, "We want USA Basketball to be here. We put together a great proposal. They have to decide whether or not they want to take it." Crow said that ASU's proposal to USA Basketball "was to raise funds for its headquarters and training facility through 'a combination of fundraising and other assets we have too.'" Colangelo said the ASU proposal "wasn't the whole enchilada." Colangelo: "Without getting the whole package, it won't get to the finish line." Colangelo said that other cities "have approached USA Basketball since the USA Place project died." Colangelo: "I've just put that off. ... Through the U.S. Olympic Committee, we have facilities and room and board for the athletes who come in" at the Olympic Training Center. He added, "Unless it's a really special package like we had in place then there is no reason to do it" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/12). USA Basketball CEO & Exec Dir Jim Tooley said that a decision on whether to revive a deal with ASU, renew a nationwide search or remain in Colorado Springs "is likely to be made during the next" BOD meeting in June or July (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 4/14).
A PLACE TO CALL HOME: In Baltimore, Kevin Litten reported U.S. Lacrosse's HQ in Sparks, Md., is "set to break ground in a ceremony scheduled for April 23." The new HQ "will include locker rooms for the national lacrosse teams, a full-size lacrosse field with stadium seating and enough surface parking for visitors to events." It will also "include space" for the U.S. Lacrosse HOF and "office space for the organization’s employees." The $13M complex will also "allow U.S. Lacrosse to own the land and building" (BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/10 issue).
