UC Bearcats unveil renderings for new indoor practice facility and performance center
Borrowing a line spoken to Ray Kinsella in "Field of Dreams", the University of Cincinnati hopes if they build it, Big 12-level student-athletes will become Bearcats.
The University of Cincinnati athletics department and the UC Foundation will hold an on-campus ground-breaking ceremony for their multi-million dollar indoor practice facility and performance center on May 23. It has yet to have an official name, but it will sit on the site of the former Sheakley Athletic Center where former football coach Brian Kelly first initiated having "a bubble". That was constructed between 2010-12 after the departure of Kelly.
Now, Larry and Rhonda Sheakley stepped up again with what UC calls a "transformational gift" which is the largest single gift in UC athletics history.
The new state-of-the-art facilities are expected to elevate the student-athlete experience, giving Bearcats an unrivaled advantage on the playing field and on the recruiting trail.
The 84,000-square-foot indoor practice facility will feature a 120-yard football field that will give Cincinnati’s football program a year-round, permanent, all-weather home. This past spring, new coach Scott Satterfield had to alter some practice dates due to inclement weather. Once constructed, all teams will have a convenient, more luxurious option.
Other UC programs will also have use of the new structure which is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2024 football season.
In addition, the 96,000-square-foot performance center will include offices for the football program, and feature performance nutrition stations, a dining hall, sports performance weight room, athletic training room and mental health services. The performance center will be constructed next to the indoor practice facility. That portion of the project is scheduled to open prior to the 2025 football season. Football offices have been in the Richard E. Lindner Center since its construction in 2006.
“These new facilities are essential for us to compete for championships in the Big 12 and immediately help us level the playing field as we enter our new conference,” said Director of Athletics John Cunningham. “I want to thank President Pinto, our Board of Trustees and, of course, our generous donors, led by Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, for leading this project as we all work together to provide our student-athletes with the resources needed to have the best experiences on and off the field. The start of this project and the success of the Day One Campaign are crucial to our future success. May 23 will be an exciting day.”
How much will it cost?
The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees approved the funding for the project at a maximum of $134 million.
More than $88 million has been raised for the Day One Ready campaign, which is funding this project and several other initiatives.
Gensler and MSA Sport are serving as the architects and designers for the project, while Messer Construction is the construction manager.
Sheakleys' gift is largest in UC athletics history
Larry Sheakley, a longtime UC supporter, has made the largest single gift in the history of UC Athletics. This lead gift was directly responsible for the start of the project.
“It’s a tremendous honor for Rhonda and me to continue providing opportunities for University of Cincinnati student-athletes, which has been a passion of my family’s for many, many years,” Sheakley said. “Seeing the growth of Cincinnati Athletics in recent years, culminating in the entry in the Big 12 this summer, has been beyond our wildest dreams and very gratifying. We are excited for the future and looking forward to the impact these facilities will have on all Bearcats in the coming years.”
Sheakley is the owner and chief executive officer of the Sheakley Group, a comprehensive HR solutions company. In the past, the Sheakleys’ gifts have named the Sheakley Lawn in Varsity Village and a suite in Nippert Stadium after his father and mother – in addition to the Sheakley Athletic Complex. He also created the Sheakley Quarterback Scholarship in 2014, counting Desmond Ridder among its recipients.
“We’re incredibly grateful to have friends and fellow Bearcats like Larry and Rhonda,” said UC President Neville G. Pinto. “As lifelong Cincinnatians and longtime fans, they have been by our side through the amazing growth we’ve seen in our athletics programs. As we take the next step to joining the Big 12, it’s meaningful to have their visionary support of our university and our student-athletes.”
Day One Ready campaign
UC is entering into a new era as a Power Five school on July 1. As such, Cunningham, Satterfield, men's basketball coach Wes Miller and women's basketball coach Katrina Merriweather are taking the message on the road this month and next with alumni stops in Cleveland (May 17), Columbus (May 18), Chicago (June 6) and a date to be determined in Cincinnati.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats unveil indoor practice facility plans
