Michigan Basketball: Player Development Center for Men's and Women's programs

Michigan Basketball: Player Development Center

The basketball facility will be built adjacent to Crisler Arena. The player development center will provide 57,000 gross sq. ft. including two basketball practice courts, team locker rooms for players, coaches, athletic medicine and hydrotherapy.

The cost of the Michigan basketball player development center is projected to be 23.2 million dollars. Funding for this project will come from the athletic department and also by private donations. Which means they still do not have the money yet and hoping to get more donations. Usually Michigan likes to get at least half the money received for a project before starting it or planning it, but Bill Martin realizes this project needs to get done and help the basketball program. Also with how the team did last year should help with momentum not only for basketball recruiting, but fan interest which we have already seen because student season tickets basically doubled from last year and hopefully the alumni, donors, fans will come out and support the program.

Just a little comparing the Al Glick Field House football facility cost 26.1 million dollars and the total area of 104,049 sq. ft. with the practice field 90,631 sq. ft.

It will not be as big, but does not need to because of the football field compared to two basketball floors. Also will not be as high or massive looking because it is going to be in the hill and underground.

So you can see that Michigan is committed to both the Michigan women's and men's basketball programs. With the money they are spending the building is going to be a great addition and a elite building. Will it be the biggest and best in the nation? Probably not, but it doesn't have to be in my opinion. Just like the Michigan stadium project, baseball, softball, wrestling, soccer, etc ... facilities all have been upgraded and are near the top in this arms race of building facilities, but this is something Michigan is well over due.

The athletic department was left in shambles when Bill Martin took over as athletic director. They was losing money, borrowing money from the university to pay the bills for the athletic department and did not see major upgrades to it's facilities in over forty year.

Since Martin took over he has raised money, got Michigan athletic department making money, and has gotten donors to give to these facilities in which they like to have them either paid for or at least half of the money already spoken for so the athletic department will not be in major debt like so many other programs who built it and worried about paying for it later.

This is probably the last major athletic facility to be built unless they decide to renovate or make a new building for the volleyball, wrestling and men's gymnastics in the Cliff Keen Arena.

Naming rights wondering if this would be a good place for William "Bill" Davidson and all the things he has done not only for Michigan basketball for the entire University of Michigan.

To see Photo Renderings of the new facility: http://www.mgoblue.com/view.gal?id=53599

The project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2011.

Quotes from MGoBlue:

Bill Martin:
The basketball player development center is truly a multi-purpose facility that is another step in sustaining the growth of our athletic department," said Bill Martin, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "The facility will add needed flexibility for student-athletes -- especially with the men and women's basketball programs -- as they set their academic and athletic schedules."

"We are truly excited about this project and we can't wait for the start of construction," said Martin.

Michigan Men's Basketball Head Coach John Beilein:
On the approval of the designs of the Basketball Player Development Center ... "It is indeed an exciting time for Michigan basketball as we continue to work with our architects on the design of a brand new Basketball Player Development Center. These recent visual renderings of this project reflect the commitment that has been made to both the women and men's basketball program's here at U-M. I love the fact that our student-athletes will benefit from having the opportunity to train and prepare, using the latest technology, in a state-of-the-art, world-class facility. The dedication of so many involved with the design of this facility, and the continued leadership of President Coleman, Bill Martin and Mike Stevenson, has been instrumental in moving this important project forward."

Michigan Women's Basketball Head Coach Kevin Borseth:
On the approval of the designs of the Basketball Player Development Center ... "The goal of our program is to create an environment that will foster what's best for the development of the student-athlete and their success, both on the court and in the classroom. This facility, and everything that it will bring to our program, will help us achieve those goals. Everything surrounding our basketball program, including scheduling, player/coach working relationships, player development and recruitment, will benefit from this addition."

Thanks for stopping by Go Blue Michigan Wolverine
If you have any questions please E-Mail

Written by ErocWolverine