Fundraising Momentum Continues For Football Operations Center
Oct. 21, 2016
Momentum is continuing to build for a football operations center facility, the most aggressive capital project in recent years for University of South Carolina Athletics.
The South Carolina Athletics Department has recently secured five commitments of more than $1 million each for the project as part of the Athletics Department’s Expanding Our Vision Capital Initiative.
The 100,000 square foot Football Operations Center will provide the Gamecocks’ program with a recruiting center, locker room, weight room, athletic training room, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, dining room, equipment room and player lounges; all in one convenient location. It will be adjacent to the new Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility and outdoor practice fields.
With hefty demands on the student-athletes’ time for athletics as well as academics, the Football Operations Center centralizes all football activities to maximize preparations and allows for a more efficient way for student-athletes and coaches to conduct their daily responsibilities.
“The football operations facility represents our most ambitious project to date and we are hopeful of receiving state approval in the near future,” said Gamecock Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “With a $50 million price tag, we continue to raise funds to make this a reality. The significant commitments to date represent great momentum for this project and a strong commentary on the Gamecocks’ support for the direction Coach Muschamp is leading the football program.”
In addition to these seven-figure pledges, there have been 18 commitments of $100,000 or more to the project from faithful Gamecock donors.
“A project of this magnitude takes a strong commitment and our donors are stepping up once again to make this new home for Gamecock Football a reality,” said Jeff Crane, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development and Gamecock Club. “Ray Tanner, Coach Muschamp and our fundraising team are working hard to tell the story about the impact this facility will have on our football program.”
Added South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp, “The Football Operations Center puts us at the forefront of facilities in college football. The Football Operations Center shows a commitment from the University to future student-athletes, as well as the student-athletes we currently have on campus.”
The impact of leadership donors on the athletics department can be seen all around our football facilities and beyond. From the family names on the gates at Springs Brooks Plaza leading into Williams-Brice Stadium to the Tommy Suggs Garnet Way to the Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility, Gamecocks continue to display their passion and loyalty for the program. Since 2012, donors have given over $150 million toward scholarships and facility improvements for Gamecock Athletics.
To learn more about the Expanding Our Vision Capital Initiative, visit expandingourvision.com.
