Gallery: (6/5/2019) Football Operations Center Ceremony
SAN JOSE, Calif. – It is another historic day for San Jose State Athletics as the Spartans celebrated the first step in preparing the east side of CEFCU Stadium for the construction of the future home for the Spartan football and men's and women's soccer programs with the removal of the first row of bleachers in section 125 as part of a groundbreaking ceremony.
The new Spartan Athletics Center, set to complete construction in 2023, will house new locker rooms for football, women's soccer and men's soccer; a 150-seat auditorium; coaches' offices; position-specific classrooms; stadium game-day suites; general reception area; shared-used dining hall; and a state-of-the-art athletic training room that will be accessible to all student-athletes.
Over $24 million in gifts, pledges, irrevocable estate gifts and departmental revenue streams have been secured in support of this project. Several naming opportunities within the facility are available for alumni, fans and friends to invest and help Spartan football and Spartan Athletics build championship-caliber programs.
Construction of the new operations center will consist of three phases: the removal of benches and bleachers on the east side of the stadium, the actual construction of the building and then replacing the east side with new concession stands and amenities.
Timeline for construction:
Prior to 2019 season – Removal of benches and bleachers on east side
Following 2019 season – The east side of the stadium infrastructure will be relocated and the rest of the east side of the stadium will be torn down
During the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons – The Spartan Athletics Center will be under construction
Prior to the 2023 season – The east side will be rebuilt with the return of bleachers, concession stands and amenities.
The groundbreaking ceremony featured guest speakers addressing the crowd of Spartan athletes, donors, fans and staff. Among the speakers were San Jose State University President Mary A. Papazian, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Marie Tuite, head football coach Brent Brennan, Spartan Athletics Center major donor Larry Solari, current football student-athlete Cade Hall and a special appearance by legendary Spartan alumnus and former NFL Super Bowl-winning head coach Dick Vermeil.
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