Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
On Campus Blog
Alex Friedrich

UMN athletic director proposes ambitious sports facilities plan

Teague (MPR Photo / Jeffrey Thompson)

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

teague
Teague (MPR Photo / Jeffrey Thompson)

University of Minnesota Athletic Director Norwood Teague has released a $190 million sports facilities plan he says will "change the future of Gopher athletics."

He told regents today he wants to build eight projects over the next six to eight years using private funds.

U athletic officials have long felt behind competitors in athletic facilities. They have, for example, tried for years to get a complex where basketball players can practice.

Teague said it was a topic when he scouted replacements for basketball coach Tubby Smith:

"One of the questions I always got when I talked to coaches -- whether it be casually or in passing -- was, 'You know, everybody knows you don't have a basketball practice facility.' Be that as it may, we're going to get one. But you want that not to be part of the conversation moving forward, and that's going to be one of our goals."

The plan would build that as well as a:

  • training table offering food tailored to their nutritional needs;

  • football complex;

  • women's gymnastics facility;

  • Olympic sport indoor practice facility;

  • outdoor Olympic sport track; and

  • wrestling training facility

Teague said the U needs such facilities to attract talent:

"It's very important as we attract administrators, and especially coaches -- and obviously when you recruit student athletes you want to have great facilities to bring them to where you are."

The proposal also calls for an academic center for the athletes.