Notable figures from the athletics department put on their hard hats and grabbed shovels to honor the groundbreaking ceremony of the indoor practice facility on the morning of Sept. 7.
The indoor practice facility will be built across Brooks Stadium on the other side of University Boulevard. Matt Hogue, the vice president of intercollegiate athletics and university recreation, said the new addition to campus will feature a turf field inside.
“This is for all of our student athletes, for our community, for our university,” Coastal Carolina University President Michael Benson said.
The ceremony included speeches from other members such as Chief Medical Officer Paul Richardson, Executive Director of the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation Kelly Moore, Head football coach Tim Beck, and Chair of Athletics Joe Moglia. The speeches included words of gratitude toward partners who made the groundbreaking possible including the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation (CAF) and Garmin Design Group.
Moore said she was told about the $20 million project while she was two weeks into her position. Shortly after, she went to the board of directors.
“All of them jumped on board right away,” Moore said.
Beck thanked those who were involved in getting the project started for the impact it will have on young people. He said it will allow student athletes to compete at the highest level they can.
“This is not just a football facility,” he said. “It’s a Coastal Carolina facility.”
Not only will the facility be used for football, but for other athletic programs at the University as well. Women’s lacrosse coach Rachel Whitten, who attended the event, said she is excited about the indoor practice facility for the opportunity to win a championship this year.
Whitten said the efforts student athletes are putting out on the field are being noticed by CCU.
“I think it’s going to be great for not only football but for all of our programs,” she said. “I just think it also shows the steps that Coastal is taking to kind of enhance our athletic facilities.”
