One of the sport's marquee venues is getting exciting enhancements underway in Denver, Colo.
The premier destination West of the Mississippi, the Denver Pioneers' Peter Barton Stadium has become a must-visit destination for lacrosse fans in every part of the country ever since it became the nation's first lacrosse dedicated stadium when it opened in 2005.
The university announced on Thursday plans to fundraise and released renderings of some of the goals for improvements in and around Peter Barton, with enhancements like a 70% bigger video board already set to debut in the coming weeks.
Additionally, phase one of the roll out for upgrades includes field-level shot clocks, a wall ball training area and renovating the Sie Tower where gold members are hosted on gamedays.
“On behalf of the Denver women's lacrosse program we're thankful for the initial gifts to begin making this next phase of Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium a reality,” Denver women's lacrosse head coach Liza Kelly said in the release. “We're thankful for the University of Denver's commitment to lacrosse and for Laura Barton and the Barton Family for continuing their commitment to give our student-athletes and our fans a great place to call our home at Petey B!” [Inside Lacrosse]
Leaders from Indiana University, the Indianapolis community and the sports industry joined together on Wednesday to break ground on the James T. Morris Arena on the IU Indianapolis campus, marking the next step in IU’s commitment to making its Indianapolis campus a hub of activity that draws people to the city and region.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents another major milestone in Indiana University’s ambition to be a national leader in athletics,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “The James T. Morris Arena will be a multipurpose venue for Indianapolis residents and visitors, as well as a magnet for national sport governing bodies and the ecosystem of sports. This facility is a fitting tribute to Jim Morris, who embodied that vision across his many years of service to IU, Indianapolis and Indiana.”
Also known as “The Jim,” the arena was made possible through collaboration between the Indiana University Board of Trustees, Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Indiana State Budget Committee. The $110 million facility will serve both IU Indianapolis and the Indianapolis sports community more broadly. It will host indoor sporting and athletic events in a seating capacity not currently provided in the downtown area. [Indiana University]
UNT's Board of Regents has approved the completion of design work for phase one of the Athletics Center expansion, Vice President and Director of Athletics Jared Mosley announced Monday.
"As we face new challenges ahead, we're excited to move swiftly with Phase 1, taking full advantage of the momentum we've built and the resources at our disposal in an ever-evolving construction market," Mosley said. "I am deeply grateful for the many individuals who have stepped up to support this effort, ensuring that we continue to provide the best possible experience for the young men and women in our programs. The student-athlete experience, capital investments, and NIL opportunities are all integral parts of the puzzle we're working to solve every day. Our dedicated Mean Green donors and alumni continue to rise to the occasion, making a profound impact. I encourage everyone to identify the area they're passionate about and join us in this exciting era for UNT Athletics!"
More than $4.4 million from 38 UNT supporters has been committed toward the anticipated $10 million fundraising goal needed to complete phase one of the Athletics Center expansion. Total cost of the project will be based on the price of materials at the time of construction.
The Athletics Center expansion will be completed in two phases with phase one focusing on space for strength and conditioning. The remodel will expand that area of emphasis from its current 6,180 square feet to more than 20,000 – more than three times its original size.
Phase one will include a 50-yard plyometric turf, 16 high performance dual-sided combo racks, 4,000-square-foot of open floor, 1,000-square-foot mezzanine of cardio, and a 1,250 square foot nutrition site. Expanding this space will enhance UNT Athletics' competitive edge by providing student-athletes with a premier environment to train, strengthening their physical abilities, mental toughness, and well-being. This area will also promote an increase in team building and cohesion, allowing our student-athletes to foster a sense of team unity and camaraderie. Currently, UNT Athletics has the second-smallest weight room in the American Athletic Conference. [University of North Texas]
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