Practice Facility Update
- Thread starter SFspidur
- Start date
A painter on the project has tested positive for COVID. All of the other painters that were on site are in quarantine, and the project site has been cleaned.
https://www.richmond.edu/coronavirus/messages/index.html
https://www.richmond.edu/coronavirus/messages/index.html
From Hardt:
"If you have been by Millhiser recently you may have noticed that the windows on the exterior have been opened up once again, providing natural light into the historic facility."
Glad to see this. For such a stunningly beautiful campus, the Robins Center and Millhiser together presented an unfriendly, towering wall of brick to visitors/opposition fans at the Stadium. Have long advocated reopening the Millhiser windows. Aesthetically, will be a great improvement.
"If you have been by Millhiser recently you may have noticed that the windows on the exterior have been opened up once again, providing natural light into the historic facility."
Glad to see this. For such a stunningly beautiful campus, the Robins Center and Millhiser together presented an unfriendly, towering wall of brick to visitors/opposition fans at the Stadium. Have long advocated reopening the Millhiser windows. Aesthetically, will be a great improvement.
JOC says there will be a phased move-in of the Queally Center throughout October, starting with basketball and then academic support to follow.
What is JOC going to write about when the practice facility is finally fully open?
The new glass windows on the Millheiser gym area look spectacular. Such a pretty building.
First hoops practices in the new facility will be on Monday.
richmondspiders.com
Spider Basketball to Hold First Practice in Queally Athletic Center on Monday - University of Richmond Athletics
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – The Spiders men's and women's basketball teams will hold their first workout in the Queally Athletics Center, the new practice facility
richmondspiders.com
UR Magazine piece on the practice facility and Millhiser, and a second piece on the new well-being center in the same building.
magazine.richmond.edu
magazine.richmond.edu
9 takeaways about a new campus gem
What you need to know about the new Queally Athletics Center and renovated Millhiser Gymnasium.
magazine.richmond.edu
Building well-being
A new facility keeps UR at the forefront of colleges exploring modern approaches to student well-being.
magazine.richmond.edu
Davidson and VCU have had a nice facility for years.
Heard HIcks and Larson were wowed by the new facility, couldn't believe how nice it is.
Heard HIcks and Larson were wowed by the new facility, couldn't believe how nice it is.
Where are Queally's dogs? Do they have their own seating area? Just kidding. Looks like a sweet facility, as one would expect from UR.
who is the player with the Millhiser bricks in the background?...looking at roster photos I was thinking it might be Crabtree?
Go Spiders!
Go Spiders!
yeah, that's where I stand too. I don't see it as a big advantage in recruiting either. it's nice to have a place where you can get shots up if you want while the RC is being used, but the RC isn't being used so much to make it a problem like maybe it is at some other schools.
We have a multi million dollar facility that equals most P6 conference teams, and you guys are going to complain.
Amazing.
Amazing.
I didn't take it as complaints as much as a concern we might lose a home court advantage -- I don't agree with it though I feel certain the coaches are aware of the need to have adequate shooting/playing in the RC to make the players comfortable with the sight lines etc.
They kind of hit the dog lottery there. If Queally wanted to adopt me, I'd be all in on that.
not complaining. just not seeing the benefit. were we not getting enough gym time at the RC?
if we build a 2nd football field on campus, will that help us be a better football program?
The benefit of having a nice basketball practice facility, is that it is one tool in the recruiting arms race that everyone else has, we were late to the game. Now we can at least show some level of commitment to recruits and check this box off. Agree that we want to practice and shoot as much as possible in the RC, but this was required to compete and have at least equal footing. VCU has a nice facility, so does Davidson, and Clemson, and Gonzaga, and Dayton, I could probably go on for a couple hundred.
There are a ton of benefits to having this facility. The men's and women's teams have somewhat competed for practice time and that no longer is the case. John O'Connor mentioned something about the coveted 2 PM (?) time that both teams always want.
But even more so it just opens up more space for Basketball and other sports. Beyond the 24/7 access, the new facility includes the practice gym, new locker rooms and team rooms, coaches’ offices, much improved sports medicine and strength-and-conditioning areas, and a hall celebrating UR athletics.
The renovation of Millhiser Gym, is being repurposed as the Student-Athlete Development Center, an academic-support building for all UR athletes with individual and group study areas, computer labs, tutoring stations, and men’s and women’s basketball offices.
Moving so much of the basketball function to Queally Center and Millhiser creates some opportunity to reporpose some of the space in the RC for other programs like Football and Baseball.
Also being built into the complex is the school’s Well-Being Center, a central location for all campus health care, wellness education and nutrition services. And as others said all of this should help recruiting as it demonstrates a brick-and-mortar commitment to our basketball programs.
But even more so it just opens up more space for Basketball and other sports. Beyond the 24/7 access, the new facility includes the practice gym, new locker rooms and team rooms, coaches’ offices, much improved sports medicine and strength-and-conditioning areas, and a hall celebrating UR athletics.
The renovation of Millhiser Gym, is being repurposed as the Student-Athlete Development Center, an academic-support building for all UR athletes with individual and group study areas, computer labs, tutoring stations, and men’s and women’s basketball offices.
Moving so much of the basketball function to Queally Center and Millhiser creates some opportunity to reporpose some of the space in the RC for other programs like Football and Baseball.
Also being built into the complex is the school’s Well-Being Center, a central location for all campus health care, wellness education and nutrition services. And as others said all of this should help recruiting as it demonstrates a brick-and-mortar commitment to our basketball programs.
spiderman, you and I are usually lockstep. But here...
If the coaches say it makes a world of difference, and the athletes say it makes a world of difference, and the recruits like it, I'm going with them on this one.
At least until we shoot 3-23 from 3 point land in our first game, then I'll scream that they need to get the hell out of Queally and back into the RC for shooting practice.
If the coaches say it makes a world of difference, and the athletes say it makes a world of difference, and the recruits like it, I'm going with them on this one.
At least until we shoot 3-23 from 3 point land in our first game, then I'll scream that they need to get the hell out of Queally and back into the RC for shooting practice.
😂 I'm sure coaches and players like it. so I'm glad they have it too. it looks very nice. I'm not sure it makes us any better, or attracts a recruit that wouldn't come here without it, but I'm glad we won't have to find out. I wish it was enough of a difference maker to finish off our class with Ian and Zach Hicks.
Actually, a second football field as a practice field should be considered as our next big capital expense.
It would be available for both of our lacrosse programs, ladies soccer and field hockey.
Glad you made that suggestion Spider-Man - Lol
We don't practice in the opposition's gym and we shoot okay. Good shooters can shoot. The more places available to do it, all the better.
I should have been more specific. My mistake.
Indoor practice facility- you know, like other schools have now days.
That’s what I’m referring to.
Ah, yeah...that's a big investment, needs to enclose a lot of volume to be useful for football.
Not sure how common they are at our level...I know JMU has a tent-like structure they put up off-campus a couple of years ago. Delaware converted their old basketball field house into an indoor practice field, but it's not a full size football field.
Next athletic investment for UR is probably Pitt Field. I believe that and the second phase of the Robins Center renovations are the two pieces of the Elevate campaign that haven't been done yet.
Actually not sure whether the new hoops practice facility has altered the previous long-term vision for the RC...there was supposed to be a complete redo of the West and South entrances.
I think you are right about the next two athletic investments. #1 Pitt Field and probably #2 the Robins Center upgrades to the West and South Entrance and the inside areas of these entrances and likely to extend to all of the ambulatory/concessions areas.
Though, I'm not sure they are quite done with Crenshaw field yet. I think they want to replace the stone seating with Richmond Red brick and improve the fencing to align everything with the Robins Stadium aesthetic.
The remaining Pitt field investment is not that extensive. They need to knock down the Press Box / Concessions building and current bleachers and build a new structure that includes all of those plus permanent bathrooms. They also say new indoor batting cages, outfield seating, and a new right field entrance that mirrors Robins Stadium. So a moderate investment but nothing as extensive as the Queally Athletic Center.
I was told the Robins Center updates are still on the table, just not sure if the timing shifts with the addition of the Queally Athletic Center. I would expect some new renovations to former space inside the Robins Center occupied by the Basketball teams. I assume they will repurpose some of that space for other sports. Again small investments into those areas.
After the assumed Elevate Campaign improvements are complete, I would like to see them invest in the Tennis facility and the practice field areas. These are probably more long term, but possible.
For the Tennis Facility, they have made space for the back 4 courts to be temporarily enclosed. I would like to see them make that a permanent enclosure. Build a building around those 4 courts and include space for team and visiting locker rooms, restrooms, team meeting room, coaches offices and viewing areas that can not only see the 4 indoor courts but also the outdoor courts. This would be a moderate investment but one that has become necessary to complete in D1 tennis these days. It would also open up space in North Court currently occupied by the Tennis team to be repurposed for other non-athletic needs.
Last investment I think is in the Practice fields. I'm torn on if they should invest more in Robins Stadium with something like lighter version of W&M's Jimmye Laycock Football Center. It could be used by Football and both Lacrosse teams. It could be an addition on to the current game day locker room building inside the stadium that could contain things like meeting rooms, coaches offices, team and coaches lockers, an athletic training room, equipment storage areas, and administrative and academic support areas. But they already made so many improvements to those things inside the Robins Center that I just don't see this happening.
Instead, I would like the AD to consider improvement to the practice fields with the addition of a new indoor facility that runs next to the current women's soccer stadium. That could double not only as an indoor facility for all field based athletic teams (football, lax, field hockey, soccer) but also enhance the soccer field to more of a stadium and have soccer team facilities. There is already a plan to improve the lower practice fields and turn them so they run in the same direction as the Presidents fields (soccer, lax turf practice field).
Though, I'm not sure they are quite done with Crenshaw field yet. I think they want to replace the stone seating with Richmond Red brick and improve the fencing to align everything with the Robins Stadium aesthetic.
The remaining Pitt field investment is not that extensive. They need to knock down the Press Box / Concessions building and current bleachers and build a new structure that includes all of those plus permanent bathrooms. They also say new indoor batting cages, outfield seating, and a new right field entrance that mirrors Robins Stadium. So a moderate investment but nothing as extensive as the Queally Athletic Center.
I was told the Robins Center updates are still on the table, just not sure if the timing shifts with the addition of the Queally Athletic Center. I would expect some new renovations to former space inside the Robins Center occupied by the Basketball teams. I assume they will repurpose some of that space for other sports. Again small investments into those areas.
After the assumed Elevate Campaign improvements are complete, I would like to see them invest in the Tennis facility and the practice field areas. These are probably more long term, but possible.
For the Tennis Facility, they have made space for the back 4 courts to be temporarily enclosed. I would like to see them make that a permanent enclosure. Build a building around those 4 courts and include space for team and visiting locker rooms, restrooms, team meeting room, coaches offices and viewing areas that can not only see the 4 indoor courts but also the outdoor courts. This would be a moderate investment but one that has become necessary to complete in D1 tennis these days. It would also open up space in North Court currently occupied by the Tennis team to be repurposed for other non-athletic needs.
Last investment I think is in the Practice fields. I'm torn on if they should invest more in Robins Stadium with something like lighter version of W&M's Jimmye Laycock Football Center. It could be used by Football and both Lacrosse teams. It could be an addition on to the current game day locker room building inside the stadium that could contain things like meeting rooms, coaches offices, team and coaches lockers, an athletic training room, equipment storage areas, and administrative and academic support areas. But they already made so many improvements to those things inside the Robins Center that I just don't see this happening.
Instead, I would like the AD to consider improvement to the practice fields with the addition of a new indoor facility that runs next to the current women's soccer stadium. That could double not only as an indoor facility for all field based athletic teams (football, lax, field hockey, soccer) but also enhance the soccer field to more of a stadium and have soccer team facilities. There is already a plan to improve the lower practice fields and turn them so they run in the same direction as the Presidents fields (soccer, lax turf practice field).
Thanks, Vol. Feel like the Pitt Field number was around $5 million. Seem to remember Hardt mentioning a couple times that they're still trying to get the money raised for it. Have made good progress, but not there yet.
Was not aware the back courts were intended to allow for bubbling. Agree a permanent indoor facility would be nice, but it's a decent investment that only supports a small number of athletes. Just don't feel like we take tennis seriously enough for it to be on the administration's list.
Still waiting for that new pool...
Was not aware the back courts were intended to allow for bubbling. Agree a permanent indoor facility would be nice, but it's a decent investment that only supports a small number of athletes. Just don't feel like we take tennis seriously enough for it to be on the administration's list.
Still waiting for that new pool...
Similar threads
