STARKVILLE – This weekend, Mississippi State softball makes history as it plays in its first-ever NCAA Super Regional. It's evident the Bulldogs have a program on the rise.
They're growing off the field too, as will soon be seen courtesy of a new indoor facility that's about to be under construction.
Starting in June, MSU will begin putting together its 12,000-square foot, $7 million project. The current indoor facility along the left field line of Nusz Park will be torn down, with the new building taking its place.
It's a game-changing development says Mississippi State head softball coach Samantha Ricketts.
"We are thrilled to announce the new facility construction that will help exponentially with our player development, athletic performance and day-to-day operations," Ricketts said. "This is a project that athletic director John Cohen had a big hand in, as well as something we know will pay dividends in the immediate future of the program. Our student-athletes will have a state-of-the-art facility from locker rooms, a team meeting room, training rooms, as well as the top technologies in our batting cages and pitching lab areas. This will be one of the most elite indoor softball facilities in the country, and we are excited to break ground very soon."
Adds Cohen: "At Mississippi State, we are completely committed to providing our teams with the best resources possible in order to compete for championships. This new facility does just that for our softball program. In combination with Nusz Park, this project continues to solidify Mississippi State as one of the best places in the nation to play college softball."
Now, let's take a quick look at what'll soon become the new headquarters for the Bulldogs, starting with the building's exterior:
As impressive as the facility is on the outside, the real value for MSU is on the inside. Here's a glance at a few of those renderings, starting with the team lounge:
MSU's locker rooms, previously located under the grandstand at Nusz Park, will be moved into the new building. Here's a peek at what that will look like:
Of course, there's plenty of space for the Bulldogs to work, too. Here's where State can get in a few swings or other practice action:
Other amenities will include showers, a team training room, a team film room and equipment room.
The new construction will also cause a relocation of the Mississippi State bullpen. Now located between Nusz Park and the currently-standing indoor facility, the bullpen will be shifted to a location down the left field line, similar to MSU baseball's bullpen over at Dudy Noble Field.
This project was designed by Dale Partners Architects. ICM is serving as construction manager.
Construction will begin in June. The Bulldogs will play right on through their facility's progress next season with the project's expected completion date in the summer of 2023.
See article written by Joel Coleman here.