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Wayne State announces $26.5 million athletic facility project

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  • Wayne State announces $26.5 million athletic facility project

    https://wscwildcats.com/news/2022/6/...YWm2sTDongKxoc

    Wayne State College Athletics Announces $26.5 million athletic/recreation facility addition and renovation project
    wscwildcats.com

    Wayne State College athletics has announced plans to construct a $26.5 million athletic and recreation facility renovation project, which includes the addition of an air-supported indoor structure and major renovations to the Recreation Center, Rice Auditorium and the Kirk Gardner Indoor Athletic Complex.

    This will be a three-phase project beginning with the new indoor facility, construction on the project is set to begin in the spring of 2023 with a tentative completion date set of fall 2025.

    Over the last three years, WSC has seen 20 percent growth in enrollment, 200 percent growth in club sports, 25 percent growth in intramural participation, and the addition of two varsity athletic programs. Because of this growth, facilities need to be developed to service all needs.

    "The athletics, recreation and student wellness initiative exemplifies Wayne State's balanced approach to meeting the needs of students who have a passion for success on and off the field of play," stated WSC President Dr. Marysz Rames. "This project will provide our students with opportunities to continue their lifelong commitment to athletics and recreation in outstanding facilities that mirror their drive and commitment to excellence."

    The feature item of the project is a new air-supported indoor structure connected to the Recreation Center. The structure will create a full-scale indoor, multi-functional practice, competition and recreation facility with artificial turf and house an indoor 300-meter synthetic track surface. The facility will also create enhanced indoor throws and jump areas and new men's and women's track and field locker rooms and office space. In addition to providing practice and competition space for varsity programs, club sports and intramural activities, this new facility will also provide opportunities for regional service through competitions, youth camps and sports leagues.

    The Recreation Center and Alley Expansion will be a central point and control for the new indoor facility, featuring a larger student weight room and an auxiliary weight room specifically for intercollegiate athletics, club sports and academics. The new-look Recreation Center will showcase increased square footage for student fitness including additional basketball/volleyball/recreational court space, cardiovascular equipment, multi-use fitness spaces, and overall improvement of pedestrian flow between facilities that includes patron access to Rice Auditorium.

    Renovations to Rice Auditorium include increasing the size of the lobby to support ticketing and concessions for intercollegiate athletic programs and the creation of a practice court in the current Kirk Gardner Indoor Athletic Complex for women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, club sports and intramural activities.

    The expansions and renovations are intended to raise the recruiting and competitive profile of WSC's NCAA Division II athletic programs while also impacting retention and enhancing the current student-athlete experience.

    "This transformational, facility construction and renovation project will be incredibly impactful on Wayne State College's intercollegiate athletics, recreation and student-wide wellness programs," remarked Wayne State Director of Athletics Mike Powicki. "These are historic improvements which will be critical in our ability to continue to recruit and retain phenomenal students by providing an exceptional overall student engagement experience."

    Powicki added, "If we cinlude the projects of converting outdoor soccer pitch to artificial turf and the creation of a fan club room in Rice Auditorium that are currently underway, we will be approaching $30 million in remarkable facility improvements at Wayne State College over the next few years."

    The Wayne State Foundation continues to actively fundraise to supplement the college funds that will pay for all of the projects.






  • #2
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    • #3
      The bubble at MSU has been a great asset. You'll love it.

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      • #4
        Good news for Wayne America.

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        • #5
          Exciting times in Wayne! Not the biggest fan of turf soccer fields, but I get it - maintenance and all.

          The basketball arena suites are unique, too. I like that.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by SW_Mustang View Post
            Exciting times in Wayne! Not the biggest fan of turf soccer fields, but I get it - maintenance and all.

            The basketball arena suites are unique, too. I like that.
            WSC is moving their highly successful club rugby program to on-campus. They are going to share the facility with soccer....thus the turf.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by wscsuperfan View Post

              WSC is moving their highly successful club rugby program to on-campus. They are going to share the facility with soccer....thus the turf.
              Oh, gotcha. Makes perfect sense.

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              • #8
                Tip of the cap to Wayne if they get this done. good for them

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                • #9
                  Just to add some WSC news.....the Wildcats have a new softball coach

                  https://wscwildcats.com/news/2022/7/...lq-xt7k6Os_tNs

                  Christy Warnock named head softball coach at Wayne State College
                  wscwildcats.com

                  Wayne State College Director of Athletics Mike Powicki announced today that Christy Warnock has been named head softball coach for the Wildcat program. She becomes the 14th head coach in the 50-year history of the Wildcat softball program.

                  "I am very excited to welcome Christy to the Wildcat family and the Wayne State College community," said Powicki. "She clearly has the dedication and commitment to building a successful softball program but also has a passion for mentoring student-athletes and ensuring their overall academic experience is a priority. Coach Warnock is a great addition to our staff and will most definitely have a positive impact leading our softball program."

                  Warnock comes to Wayne State after coaching four seasons at the University of South Dakota. This season, Warnock helped the Coyotes to a 28-25 record and a fourth-place finish in the Summit League with an 11-10 league mark. Her first season as an assistant coach (2019) saw USD post a 33-28 record and 12-6 mark in the Summit League, the most wins for the Coyote program in the Division I era.

                  A graduate of Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska, Warnock was a three-year starter for the South Dakota softball team from 2015-2018, hitting a career-high .302 with a .419 on-base percentage as a junior in 2017. She closed her playing career with nine home runs and 68 runs scored and was named to the Summit League All-Tournament Team as a senior in 2018 while also selected to the Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence all three years she was eligible.

                  "I would like to thank Wayne State College, Mike Powicki and the search committee for the opportunity to come in and lead the Wayne State softball program," remarked Warnock. "This is a great opportunity to return to my home state and be a part of the rich history of excellence that is shown across the athletic department and college. The WSC campus, academic opportunities, athletic facilities and rich community offer teams the ability to achieve great success and recognition. I am looking forward to meeting with the team and developing a championship culture together."

                  Warnock takes over a Wildcat softball program that was 15-38 overall and 10th place in the Northern Sun Conference with a 12-18 league mark this past season.

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