Optimism filled the air Tuesday afternoon with the University of San Diego Athletic Department unveiling its brand new training facility for the men's and women's basketball programs, in conjunction with the campus announcing the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center.
"Really, really cool day," USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey said. "So excited to see this facility. I feel really grateful to President Harris and (USD Vice President of University Operations) Ky Snyder and all those who saw that and invested in basketball. (It) made a lot of sense, not just for athletics but for the entire university."
The brand new Basketball Performance Center is located right in the heart of campus and is approximately 28,000 square feet, amounting to a $35 million project, which broke ground two years ago. It is the new home for both the men's and women's basketball programs to practice in one of the best facilities, not only in the West Coast Conference, but in the country.
"USD is making an investment into basketball, and being able to elevate the standard of excellence that we want to have here," Torero women's basketball head coach Blanche Alverson said. "I think it does bring an excitement and an opportunity to really have our student athletes perform at a very high level. [University of San Diego]
Nearly two years after breaking ground on a new $134 million center and facility for the football team, the University of Cincinnati will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Additionally, UC also announced the name of it: The Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Sheakley Athletics Performance Center.
They’re named after Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, who the university said supported the project.
“Recruiting top-tier student-athletes while retaining and developing current talent is the lifeblood of any college athletics program,” the University of Cincinnati wrote in a press release. “This new facility has the potential to alter the trajectory of Bearcats Football and the athletic department as a whole and will provide student-athletes and staff with all of the tools necessary to elevate the program to new heights.”
The 84,000-square-foot Indoor Practice Facility features a 120-yard football field, which is for any type of weather. It’ll be use for practices, year-round workouts and it also has access to the Performance Center’s weight room as well as nutrition fueling stations. [Spectrum News]
Kutztown University's home for Golden Bear Athletics, Keystone Hall, will undergo a complete building renovation for the first time in its 54-year existence, beginning May 2026. The building will feature a modernized home for KU student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans and is slated to open in January 2028.
Keystone Hall, named for the university's original name of Keystone State Normal School, was built and dedicated May 1, 1971, and will undergo its first lifecycle renovation. Renovations include:
- Upgraded team locker rooms, including new square footage built between Keystone Pool and O'Pake Fieldhouse for women's soccer and women's lacrosse.
- Updated office spaces for coaches, support staff and administrators.
- Keystone Pool upgrades, including pool infrastructure, a new pool deck and bleachers, and guest/public locker rooms.
- Keystone Arena will undergo a renovation, maintaining its current layout within Keystone Hall. The arena will feature a new bleacher system, restored floor, press box and lounge overlooking the arena.
- Fully enclosed and renovated wrestling room.
- Updated lobby, ticket booth and concessions, with additional square footage for a new entry vestibule.
- Three team rooms for team video review and study halls.
- Climate controlled HVAC with air conditioning and heat.
- Accessible entrances, an elevator, modern toilet facilities, state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage.
- O'Pake Fieldhouse will undergo sprinkler system and fire alarm system upgrades May 2027 to January 2028. [KUBears.com]
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