SYRACUSE -- Syracuse University plans to begin construction on a new indoor practice center later this year.
According to SU Athletics, the state-of-the-art, $17 million center will "continue to move Syracuse Athletics forward...providing essential and transformational amenities needed to compete for championships in the Athletic Coast Conference."
The 87,000 square foot building will provide the football program with new practice environment. School officials also hope it will enhance recruiting efforts and help develop the best student-athletes from across the country.
The football program will be the main tenant of the new center, but all Syracuse Athletics programs will have access and use of the center. "The timing is perfect for this great project as Coach Shafer takes over the football program coming off a successful bowl-winning campaign, and while we are enjoying the best team success across the board in the history of Syracuse Athletics," said SU Athletic Director Dr. Darryl Gross. "This practice center will give our football program, and our other programs, the opportunity to prepare, practice and play amongst the best in the nation, while providing the best possible environment for the development of all of our special student-athletes.
The center will be constructed at the site of the Joseph Vielbig Outdoor Track Stadium. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
A new track facility will also soon be built on South Campus, merging with the current facility used for field events for the cross country and track and field teams.
The football facility has long been in the works, and was something that former Orange Head Coach Doug Marrone was a big advocate for.
The football indoor practice center bookends Manley Field House, with the Melo Center for basketball on the west end of the facility and this new football complex on the east end. Previously, for indoor use the football team shared the arena at Manley Field House but had to share it with a plethora of teams including men and womens track, softball, and men and womens lacrosse among other programs.
The new plans should provide a recruiting boost, as many of the top high school players would love to call the new facility their every day home. Most importantly, it should get the Orange on par or perhaps even better than most of its ACC counterparts.
