WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University's board of regents has approved a plan that will begin integrating athletics into academic campus life at the Texas school.
On Feb. 8, Baylor's 31 voting regents unanimously approved a $34 million plan to build an on-campus athletics facility and academic center. It will be the first time the athletics department and football-training grounds are located on Baylor's main campus. Floyd Casey Stadium, where the football team plays games and which houses the school's main athletic facilities, is about three miles from the campus.
The new site will be called the Alwin O. and Dorothy Highers Athletics Complex and the Simpson Athletics and Academic Center. Its focus is a 96,300-square-foot main building that will sit next to the school's Mayborn Museum Complex and other athletic facilities near the Brazos River.
An outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and soccer field on the proposed construction site may be relocated to facilitate the additions, officials said.
Named after Baylor alumnus Bob Simpson, the Simpson Center will include training and equipment rooms, locker rooms, weight rooms, and offices. The Highers complex will include three football fields — including one with artificial turf.
Guy Morriss, Baylor's head football coach, said in a press statement that the new training facilities would help attract top athletes to the school. Baylor finished the 2006 football season with an overall record of 4-8. They were 3-5 in Big 12 conference games.
“This is a great day for Baylor football,” Morriss said. “Moving our entire football operation to campus will be a tremendous benefit to Baylor football for many years to come and will have a positive impact in recruiting future student-athletes.”
Ian McCaw, the school's athletic director, echoed that sentiment. He said the facilities would make a dramatic impact not only on the football program, but also on every Baylor student-athlete.
The project was privately supported by a gift from the late Alwin Highers Jr. of Alexandria, La. It was the largest single monetary gift in Baylor's history. Highers, who owned the Dr. Pepper Bottling Co., was a Baylor alumnus and a well-known supporter of Baylor athletics.
Simpson is the co-founder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of XTO Energy Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas. XTO Energy is the second-largest natural gas producer in Texas and the eighth largest in the nation.
School officials said the new complex would be completed by summer 2008.
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