MUNCIE, Ind. - When Cardinal fans arrive at Ball State University's football stadium for the Sept. 15 home opener against Southern Illinois they will get their first glimpse of a $6 million stadium improvement project.

"The stadium project is critical, not only for football, but the entire athletic program," said Andrea Seger, athletic director. "The new building will assist us greatly in football with recruiting and allowing our players to reach their highest potential. We have lagged in football facilities in comparison to all other MAC schools and we must continue to move forward."

The 28,000-square-foot facility spans the south end of the stadium. It accommodates 3,092 additional seats, bringing the stadium capacity to 23,500.

A plaza and reception area on the west side of the building will provide a spot for public and alumni functions, as well as press conferences.

Meanwhile, on the east end of the building, the football team will be preparing for the game in a facility on par or better than many MAC teams, said Dan Byrnes, director of sports facilities and recreation.

Among the building's amenities are:

• A 4,500-square-foot weight-training room with all new equipment
• A locker room with lockers specially designed to hold football gear
• A physical exam room that includes an area with double-thick walls to allow a physician to use a portable x-ray machine to evaluate injuries
• A physical rehabilitation area equipped with four full-body hydrotherapy pools and an underwater treadmill and swim flume
• Nine meeting rooms, all equipped with a digital projection system that allows coaches to show game and practice action from a central, computerized video server and database system
• A specialized laundry, sorting and storage area for team uniforms and equipment
• A kitchen to support catering services
  

"This is definitely not just a four-month facility," stressed Byrnes. "All 22 of Ball State's teams will benefit from these improvements all year long."

The weight room is sufficient to handle strength-training needs of Ball State's athletes, plus other athletes can use the physical rehabilitation areas, he said.

Track and field, field hockey, baseball and softball athletes will use the building for pre-game prep. Currently, those athletes are gearing up for competitions half way across campus in the Health and Physical Activity complex.

"This new athletic training facility gives us the opportunity for improved teaching and training of our current athletes in a facility that is more conducive to developing athletes," said Bill Lynch, head football coach.

The improvements are the second phase of a three-phase stadium renovation project and were funded by private gifts.

In the last four years, east side seating has been added along with the artificial turf practice field and now the football training facility. A new press box, stadium facade, west side renovation and expansion to 30,000 seats are part of the next planned phase.

By Nancy Prater, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Dan Byrnes by e-mail at dbyrnes@bsu.edu or by phone at (765) 285-1753.)