Indiana Colleges Pumping More Into Sports
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowUniversities throughout the state are continuing to invest in athletics. Thursday, Trine University announced $16 million plans involving two new arenas and new men’s and women’s hockey programs. Last week, Indiana Wesleyan University detailed the launch of a football program and a proposed on-campus stadium. The University of Notre Dame, Indiana University, Purdue University and Ball State University have also pumped millions into renovating existing facilities in recent years.
Though not a definitive list, here are some major projects that have been proposed, are still in progress or have been completed throughout the state:
- Indiana State University has been working toward potential renovations to the Hulman Center through city, state and university funding sources for several years.
- In addition to completing a multi-million dollar softball complex last and building new amenities into Ross-Ade Stadium, Purdue is in the midst of adding a training facility to help bolster its football recruiting efforts. The school’s North Central and Calumet campuses, which will soon be aligned as Purdue University Northwest, have also invested heavily in sports facilities in recent years.
- Several signature components to the University of Notre Dame’s $400 million Campus Crossroads project in South Bend revolve around upgrades and additions to Notre Dame Stadium.
- Indiana University is slated to complete a major overhaul to its Assembly Hall facilities this fall and in February, IU received final approval for a $10 million project to build a dedicated home for the Marching Hundred school marching band.
- Early last year, Ball State University announced it had surpassed a $20 million fundraising target for new and improved athletic team projects on the Muncie campus.
Trine University President Earl Brooks II says the impact of college sports extends beyond the confines of the campus.