Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Daily Lobo The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
Latest Issue
Read our print edition on Issuu

Lobos to get new facility

The University Athletics Department, with the help of Gov. Bill Richardson, will begin construction on a new practice facility for the men's and women's basketball teams sometime in the next year.

Richardson has slated $2.5 million for the project, which athletic officials say will greatly increase the equity in practice times for the women's team and help with recruiting.

Deputy Director of Athletics Conrad Colbert said because The Pit is the only facility the teams use for practice, it makes scheduling tough - especially since The Pit is also used for other non-University entertainment events.

"The most important thing is that our women have to take classes at ridiculous times and practice at odd times because we only have one practice court, which is The Pit," Colbert said. "It is very much about equality. Every time there is a concert or other type of function, the basketball teams get dislocated. It is very inconvenient."

Colbert said the department estimates about $4.2 million for the project, leaving $1.7 million to be funded by donations or other means.

"The difference is the obligation of the Athletics Department," he said. "We have to have some private fundraising. In addition to the fundraising, there is also the possibility of someone buying the naming rights to the building."

Enjoy what you're reading?
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Subscribe

Colbert added there was already some interest in buying the naming rights to the facility, but could not comment on who those investors might be.

The new practice courts would be built on the existing gymnasium directly south of The Pit.

"It would take the place of the existing building," Colbert said. "I would assume that it will greatly modify or even replace the existing building."

Colbert said tentative plans for the facility would include a new practice floor, offices for men's and women's basketball personnel and a media area.

"It's going to help with our women's recruiting because they would move into new offices with the men," Colbert said. "The idea is that it looks upscale in the eyes of an 18-year-old recruit. When recruits don't see that, they kind of back off. It will certainly help with the recruitment of the student athlete."

Men's head coach Ritchie McKay agreed with Colbert's assessment that the new facilities will help ease some of the practice strains put on the Lobos.

"It's what most of the top programs around the country are doing," McKay said. "The Pit is often used for other things in the spring and summer and our players don't have a place to go. It's a great, great thing for our program and for the women's program. We're really excited about it."

Colbert said the Athletics Department still has to get approval from the Commission on Higher Education, the University Finance Committee and the Board of Regents before continuing with the project.

"When everything is in place, then we can proceed," he said. "We've had some preliminary stuff done, but it still has to be approved and bid out."

Comments
Popular


Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2025 The Daily Lobo