Thanks to a major donation, IU football is on track to catch up competitively from a facilities standpoint, at least in one regard.
The program currently shares its weight room at Memorial Stadium with other sports throughout IU Athletics, creating scheduling challenges, and competitive disadvantages in recruiting. This development is the first in what could be multiple major steps forward when it comes to football facilities. The program is also well behind when it comes to the quality of its indoor practice space, something head coach Tom Allen acknowledged at Big Ten Media Days last week.
The full release from IU Athletics on the new weight room facility is below.
———————
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – IU Football will soon have a football-only weight facility in Memorial Stadium’s North End Zone facility.
The new dedicated football-only weight facility, which was made possible following a major gift from IU alumnus Jay Wilkinson, will be part of the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center in Memorial Stadium. Planning for the new space is now underway, with the project expected to be completed by early 2024.
“We are very appreciative of Jay’s long-standing support and commitment to positively impacting our student-athletes,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. “This project will not only provide our football student-athletes with the necessary equipment and space to maximize their abilities and opportunities as IU student-athletes, but also the flexibility to use the space 24/7, 365 days a year.”
“As a passionate supporter of Indiana University and its student-athletes, I know how important it is to have access to the type of facilities that give students the chance to maximize their abilities,” Wilkinson said. “It’s been wonderful to see the overhaul of IU Athletics’ facilities in recent years. I feel privileged to be able to play a part in that effort, and to support the amazing student-athletes who so proudly represent this great university.”
One of IU Athletics’ most loyal and generous supporters, Wilkinson has a long track record of making difference-making gifts to positively impact the opportunities for IU student-athletes. In 2017, he made a $10 million gift that made the construction of Wilkinson Hall possible. In 2012, he made a $1 million gift for the renovation of the North End Zone’s strength and conditioning facility. Following that gift, the space was renamed the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center in recognition of his support.
The W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center is one of the largest strength and conditioning centers in the country. Located at field level of Memorial Stadium, it is a 25,000 square foot area that first opened in 2009.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
