Sept. 16, 2008

By Zak Gilbert
Athletic Media Relations

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State’s athletic department on Friday will host a celebration open to the public to signify the beginning of its new $20 million athletic facilities — an Indoor Practice Facility and an Academic and Training Center.

The construction represents the university’s most aggressive athletics facilities initiative since the building of Moby Arena and Hughes Stadium in the 1960s. The projects represent the dawn of a new era in CSU athletics, and university officials view them as a significant step toward allowing Colorado State to reach its stretch goals, established by the Board of Governors:

• Achieve a No. 1 ranking in the Director's Cup, a ranking system that reflects overall program success;
• Annual Bowl Championship Series inclusion; and
• NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament participation.

In addition to growing scholarship resources and building its endowment, the new facilities are a major priority in the athletic department’s campaign for excellence.

Friday’s festivities begin at 1 p.m. on the outer south concourse of Moby Arena, overlooking the softball field and ongoing construction of CSU’s new Academic and Training Center.

The celebration will recognize those who have donated to the campaign to construct the new buildings, as well as remarks from President Larry Penley, CSU Board of Governors president Doug Jones, Kowalczyk, and Head Coach Steve Fairchild.

About the Academic and Training Center:

Features:

• Training portion includes a state-of-the-art weight room, strength and conditioning offices, a nutrition center and restrooms.
• Academic center features five private tutorial rooms, large study areas, a computer lab with 30 workstations, and offices for CSU's academic staff.

About the Indoor Practice Facility:

Features:

• Contains a 70-yard synthetic-turf football field (including one end zone).
• Features a four-lane, 70-meter track and a unique shoe-changing room adjacent to the football field.
• Gymnasium easily encloses a regulation basketball court and two half courts.
• Volleyball configuration can accommodate two full-length courts.
• Has flexibility to allow the softball team to set up batting cages on the football field.
• Will provide shelter for any student-athlete in each of the Rams' 16 varsity sports.
• Includes training room, equipment storage, lobby and trophy display case, and restrooms.
• Uses an innovative air circulation system.