In Austin, Kirk Bohls noted there is a “strong likelihood” that the new Univ. of Texas basketball arena that replaces the Frank Erwin Center (capacity 16,734) “may be cozy enough to create a more intimate setting and better home-court advantage.” It will probably be “no bigger than 12,000 seats, which would increase ticket demand with less ease for walk-up sales on game day, and that might preclude the arena hosting some big-time concert acts.” UT AD Chris Del Conte said that the size of the building is "still in the discussion stage, but he smartly prefers smaller over bigger” (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2/14).
WELCOME THE STORM: In Iowa, Vanessa Miller noted just two years after “debuting major upgrades to the south end of its Jack Trice Stadium, Iowa State wants to update the flip side by expanding, demolishing and renovating facilities at the stadium’s north end.” The $65-80M project would also “expand the Bergstrom Football Complex” (Cedar Rapids GAZETTE, 2/14).
NEW DIGS: Miami AD Blake James said that ongoing construction on the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility is "on schedule, with the 73,000-square-foot building set to be ready” before the football team opens camp in August. James said that UM has “almost finished raising the final funds necessary” for the $34M facility, which was largely made possible by a $14M gift from Carol Soffer and her family (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 2/14).
STARK CONTRAST: Mississippi State AD John Cohen on Tuesday discussed the new Left Field Lofts coming to Dudy Noble Field, noting they "will hold 12 units rentable by fans for a season" at the ballpark. The lofts will "stand 75 feet high." In Mississippi, Charlie Benton noted construction "will begin on the lofts in March." Cohen: "We’ll be able to get 250 to 300 people on the rooftop with a covering and a tiered structure that will be able to allow people a clear vision of the game along with the 12 units in this facility" (STARKVILLE DAILY NEWS, 2/14).
