PRIDE INTEGRITY RESPECT ACCOUNTABILITY TEAMWORK EXCELLENCE PRIDE INTEGRITY RESPECT ACCOUNTABILITY TEAM
DAKOTADOME RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY
August 6, one day before Coyote football officially opened fall camp, the team made its first steps inside its new locker room and players’ lounge. For the roughly 110 student-athletes, it was the culmination of an 18-month, $26 million DakotaDome west side renovation. Two new entrances, a concourse, new seating, and suites and loges were all part of the project, but the “100 level” was the first to show off. “It’s mind blowing,” said senior cornerback Mark Collins Jr. after seeing the new space. “Just seeing how far these facilities have come over the years and seeing the final product was great to see. You can just tell the commitment from the University, there’s Coyote paws everywhere, the red lights, they got the uniforms. Everything just feels like Coyote football.” Head Football Coach Bob Nielson watched as each class, from the seniors to the newest Coyotes, took their turn. “It’s obviously a beautiful facility,” said Nielson. “I’m excited for these guys to have the facility they deserve. It shows a strong commitment by the University to our student-athletes and to Division I football. I certainly have to thank all of our loyal supporters and alumni who made this project possible.” The locker room covers more than 6,000 square feet, or more than three times the size of the previous locker room. Each locker features a customizable nameplate, a padded seat, ample storage for personal clothing, practice and game gear, and a floor to ceiling ventilation system used to dry
equipment. In addition, the room boasts an internal sound system and 20 individual showerheads. Directly across from the locker room sits the players’ lounge where student-athletes can relax, study and hang out with teammates. The room offers comfortable seating, eight televisions, gaming systems and a nutrition area where players can refuel with nutritious snacks and beverages. It also features tables for individual or group study. “Our football student-athletes now have a locker room that is more appropriate for the size of the program, the number of student-athletes and the size of the human beings,” said Corey Jenkins, the Coyotes’ senior associate athletic director for facilities and operations who has been in lock step with Fiegen Construction throughout the process. “The lounge is a big deal. It’s become an expectation. They don’t have to float back to a residence hall or an apartment for an hour. They have a space on site where they can do everything from grabbing a snack, playing a game, or writing a paper.” For the Fans If the 100 level is for the student-athletes, much of the rest of the areas are for Coyote Nation. The 200 level, for example, consists of 10 executive suites and 15 loges boxes. The final months of the project saw these spaces come alive with millwork, cabinetry, color, refrigerators and televisions. “Every time I walk up there, I get excited about the experience we’re going to be able to provide our fans,” said Jenkins. “In a lot of venues, the suites and
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PRIDE INTEGRITY RESPECT ACCOUNTABILITY TEAMWORK EXCELLENCE PRIDE INTEGRITY RESPECT ACCOUNTABILITY TEAM
