In Salt Lake City, Jay Drew reported BYU is making "several improvements" to LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo after the upcoming season. However, the school "won’t increase its capacity, which currently sits at 63,470." BYU will "add structural sections at the four corners of the stadium to connect the stands at the mezzanine level." The sections, which will not include seating, will "let fans walk between the stands without having to return to ground level." Construction will "begin at the latter end of the football season, but will not impact game-day access." It is the venue's "first major renovation" since '12 (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 8/17).
HERE TO STAY: In Charlotte, Cassie Cope notes Jerry Richardson's name will "stay on the UNC Charlotte football stadium." UNCC Chancellor Philip Dubois confirmed that the university's BOT will "honor the naming rights agreement with Richardson," which came in '13 in the form of a $10M donation. The contract has "no morals clause" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/17).
SAND IN MY TOES: USA Volleyball Florida Region Exec Dir & President Steve Bishop said that the group is "seeking to be named an East Coast training site" for the '20 Tokyo Games. Bishop said that a planned $1.8M facility to "support the state's largest permanent sand-volleyball complex" is "crucial to those chances." In Orlando, Jerry Fallstrom noted the facility will include a "clubhouse, locker rooms, meeting space, a training room, officials room, concessions and public restrooms." Construction is "expected to be completed in mid to late February" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 8/16).
