Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
On Campus Blog
Alex Friedrich

UMN athletic director: We’ve carved out space. It won’t be extravagant

We've finally committed the space (the queen of subtle via Flickr)

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

williams-arena-basketball
We've finally committed the space (the queen of subtle via Flickr)

As you know, University of Minnesota Athletic Director told MPR's Tom Weber on The Daily Circuit his view that his athletes need a new academic center for themselves.

His $190 million sports construction plan calls for the private funding and construction of eight projects over the next six to eight years.

He say's they'd be high-quality facilities that aren't extravagant:

"We want to build smart facilities -- facilities that meet our needs, facilities that are first rate and attractive, but not too over the top to where it's a waste of money. We're not saying that. So we want to be smart. And I think we can compete if we're smart and do it the right way."

Teague said many U of M athletic facilities were built in the 1970s and are too small. The resulting overcrowding has caused coaches to schedule practices at odd times.

He stressed that a successful sports program can help the U boost admissions and fundraising without sacrificing academic progress.

He also told Weber that lack of dedicated space -- not money -- has kept the U from getting its coveted men's and women's basketball practice facility.

(It's one thing that former basketball coach Tubby Smith called for -- but never got.)

Teague said a fund-raising assessment several years ago showed interest in the new basketball practice area.

But the U wasn't sure it had space that could hold it:

"Any college campus that's even remotely urban -- you know, in a small college town -- you're landlocked in a lot of ways. So that's always a challenge. But I feel like we've solved that for now."

Teague says he has carved out space near the Bierman Field Athletic Building off 15th Avenue near Dinkytown.

Many athletic practice facilities are already located there.