Football field house nears completion
Matthew Roberts
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
|
The building, which stands at the south end zone of Seibert Stadium, will be ready for use when the football team returns for fall practice at the beginning of August.
According to Vice President of University Relations Randy Pittman, the building will house the offices of all the football coaches, locker rooms, training and workout facilities and team meeting rooms, which will all be located on the first two floors.
The second floor balcony will be used for alumni and donor activities and receptions for football recruits. The third floor has yet to be finished, and its use is yet to be determined.
The new field house is named after Samford graduate Gary Cooney, whose initial gift made the building possible. Cooney is vice chairman of McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc., a national insurance brokerage firm.
"Mr. Cooney and the other generous donors that have funded the entire cost of the building are pleased that it will be a facility that is on par with the very best college football facilities in the country," Pittman said.
"They, along with the Samford administration and trustees, want this to demonstrate our commitment to excellence in our intercollegiate athletic programs."
Bob Roller, director of athletics, said the facility is a major part in the domino effect that was started when the Pete Hanna Center was first announced.
"We are so grateful to Gary Cooney and his family for the transformational gift to make this project a reality," Roller said. "The Cooney Family Field House is funded by private donations and will serve as the centerpiece for generations who will follow Samford football in the Southern Conference."
Samford students and faculty are taking notice of the changed landscape of Seibert Stadium. Samford photographer Caroline Summers photographed the building's construction progress.
"I think the field house will be an interesting visual addition to our campus when it's finished," Summers said.
For students who worry about the close proximity of the south end zone goal post to the field house, Pittman said he assures that the building will be football-safety-proof.
"We will use netting behind the goalposts for field goals and extra point attempts toward the south end zone, as many other stadiums do," Pittman said. "The windows are very strong glass, by the way."
Be the first to comment on this story