BYU announces Marriott Center improvements, hoops practice facility


8 photos
Save Story

Show 1 more video

Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

One day after announcing a five-year contract extension for head basketball coach Dave Rose, BYU on Tuesday unveiled plans for multiple facilities improvements, including construction of an indoor practice facility to be located adjacent to the Marriott Center.

The arena itself will undergo significant renovations, with the completion of a lower-bowl seating overhaul and the installation of a new center-mounted scoreboard and video-board/LED-ring displays.

*******

Construction on the 38,000 square-foot practice facility annex will begin in the summer of 2015, with completion anticipated by fall 2016.

The Marriott Center seating bowl and scoreboard projects will commence around May 1, with completion projected by late summer.

The annex will be built adjacent to the Marriott Center on the east side of the arena, and will house a replica of the Marriott Center floor with added shooting areas on both ends of the court; one full court and a half-court will be available to be utilized.

The facility will also include a strength and conditioning center, training room, and offices for men's and women's basketball program. Meeting rooms, a team lounge and study areas will also be situated in the annex, along with a basketball hall of honor and hosting areas.

The seating-bowl project will represent the completion of a renovation that began in 2012, with installation of blue, theater-style padded chair seats on the north side of the arena. The remaining three sides of the seating area will now be similarly outfitted.

When renovation is complete, the Marriott Center will seat 19,000, down from the current capacity of 20,900. The lower bowl itself will include approximately 8,000 seats.

The current scoreboard and video boards will be replaced by four new LED video boards approximately 24-feet wide by 18-feet high. They will be centered over the court (the current scoreboard/video board unit is off-center) and face north, south, east and west. Additionally, two 'underbelly' boards on the north and south sides will be visible from the press area and the lower rows. The smaller boards are roughly 13-feet wide by 7.5-feet high.

Team benches and the scorer's/broadcast table will be moved back to the south side of the arena, while "Courtside Cougar" donor seating will shift to the north side.

*******

"This is quite a great day, and quite an amazing announcement," head coach Dave Rose told those assembled for an early afternoon press conference at the Marriott Center.

Of the private funding for the facility, Rose said "there are probably around 30-35 people who jumped on board to help. That's the reason this is being built."

"Because of their kindness, their commitment and donation to this project, who really benefits are our student-athletes, our players.

"We believe that our system is put together so players can come in and reach their full individual potential. This is a huge part of that process."

BYU Senior Associate AD Brian Santiago, when asked about the timing of the announcement, on the heels of Rose's contract extension, said "they're tied together."

"We wanted to make a loud statement of our commitment to excellence for our basketball program," said Santiago, "and how committed we are to stay nationally relevant, and chase our dreams of a national championship."

"Two or three years ago, we were right there, and we believe it can happen. We believe (Rose) is the guy who can lead us there, and we wanted to make a loud statement on the future of BYU basketball, that he's the guy who is going to lead it and that our student-athletes and our future recruits know that's where it's going.

"That, tied into (today's Marriott Center and annex announcements), we hope sends a loud message to everyone that we're in, and we're moving forward with passion."

*******

Speaking of the need for a practice facility, Rose said "for me, personally, I think it's absolutely imperative."

"We have great facilities here...but this is the new way. This is a world-class building that will have everything a student-athlete needs to allow him to develop not only his athletic improvement but his academics.

"(It will benefit) the overall team spirit...there's a place where the guys can go and be, and a place for returning players who are playing professionally, to come and have a place of their own they can continue to use.

"It's comprehensive for all of the student-athletes who come through our program. This is what we need. This was really important...this was was something that we need to have happen to stay nationally relevant."

*******

You can hear audio of Tuesday's press conference, in its entirety, in 'Cougar Cuts,' top left.

*******

Photos

Related stories

Most recent Sports stories

Related topics

SportsBYU Cougars
Greg Wrubell

    ARE YOU GAME?

    From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast