University of Minnesota Athletics
Offseason Updates to Athletic Facilities Completed
9/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 11, 2014
Over the summer, the University of Minnesota athletics department undertook a series of projects within existing facilities to enhance the student-athlete experience. With the start of the 2014-15 academic year, the updates have been completed.
Over the summer, the University of Minnesota athletics department undertook a series of projects within existing facilities to enhance the student-athlete experience. With the start of the 2014-15 academic year, the updates have been completed.
Inside the Bierman Field Athletic Building, the gymnasium area has been transformed into a practice court, including custom graphics and wall artwork along with enhanced audio/video capabilities for team film review. A new entrance to the gym was completed as well, featuring Minnesota basketball-specific branding and décor. The facility will continue to be used by multiple Gopher athletics teams, primarily men's basketball.
Outside of the gym, a new student-athlete lounge and locker room was created, as the Gophers men's basketball team will shift to using the Bierman building as their primary practice facility. The gymnasium and lounge is adjacent to the MacNamara Academic Center along with the men's basketball offices, recently updated weight room, and other facilities.
"At Bierman, our players are now able to practice, lift, study and spend time with their teammates in one central location," said head coach Richard Pitino. "With the time demands on a college student-athlete, it is extremely valuable to us to create an atmosphere that helps them succeed. These changes will immediately help our program get better."
Williams Arena, where the Gophers will continue to practice the day before and day of home games, saw some improvements over the summer as well. The locker room is being updated with a number of new features, including a players' lounge featuring a barber room.
"We are continuously exploring ways to provide Gopher student-athletes the best possible environment to be successful," said Director of Athletics Norwood Teague. "While we continue our fundraising campaign to build several new facilities with this goal in mind, these renovations to the gym, locker room and team space in the Bierman building will provide more flexibility in scheduling and allow our student-athletes to use their time more efficiently, two things that will greatly enhance their experience at the U."
The cost of the updates to Bierman and Williams were paid for using existing departmental funds.
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