Story Poster
Baylor Basketball

Baylor announces basketball fieldhouse, football ops center

November 1, 2018
51,702

To kickoff Baylor's 2018 Homecoming, Baylor President Linda Livingston announced a lead gift from Mark, BBA '79, and Paula Hurd to recently announced fundraising campaign Give Light on Thursday evening. The gift is among the largest in school history as part of a $1.1 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign.

According to Baylor's official website, the gift will go "to create a new front door to the University – the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. This transformational gift is one of the largest in Baylor's history. The Hurd Welcome Center will be constructed at the entrance to Baylor's campus on University Parks Drive alongside Interstate 35."

In addition to the announcement of the lead gift, Baylor also released details of their Athletics Master Plan. 

According to the official website of the Athletics Master Plan:

"Baylor plans to develop a new fieldhouse concept that takes its lessons from other Power 5 schools who have renovated or constructed smaller venues that create a more intimate atmosphere that elevates home-court advantage and focuses on fan experience.

Construction of a football operations center that would house coaches' offices and include meeting rooms, weight rooms, rehab, and sports nutrition support would enhance the overall complement of resources for the football program. Once complete, the vacated space in Simpson Athletics and Academic Center - where football operations now resides - would be used for additional academic support and student success services.

Rounding out the plan is a venue where Baylor's volleyball and acrobatics and tumbling teams would practice. Currently utilizing the 80-year-old Marrs McLean Gymnasium, these nationally ranked programs have increasing demands for student-athlete support and substantial needs to engage a loyal and growing fan base."

Discussion from...

Baylor announces basketball fieldhouse, football ops center

35,061 Views | 44 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by CutTheTVoff
baylor1999
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:54p, 11/1/18
Wow, this is incredible. But according to this site, alumni want nothing to do with Baylor and their incompetencies, right? I think Baylor is doing fine w/o your $100 donations......
Reply Quote
10
Russell Gym
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:55p, 11/1/18
Fieldhouse looks awesome
Reply Quote
11
Brian Ethridge
User Profile
Private Message
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to baylor1999 • 9:59p, 11/1/18
Staff
newbear2019 said:
Wow, this is incredible. But according to this site, alumni want nothing to do with Baylor and their incompetencies, right? I think Baylor is doing fine w/o your $100 donations......


Alums love Baylor
Reply Quote Next Staff
baylor1999
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Brian Ethridge • 10:05p, 11/1/18
Brian Ethridge said:
newbear2019 said:
Wow, this is incredible. But according to this site, alumni want nothing to do with Baylor and their incompetencies, right? I think Baylor is doing fine w/o your $100 donations......


Alums love Baylor
Yes, the train is starting to move forward again and looks like some people are choosing to stay behind.

Oh, well
Reply Quote
5
Bear8084
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to baylor1999 • 10:35p, 11/1/18
newbear2019 said:
Wow, this is incredible. But according to this site, alumni want nothing to do with Baylor and their incompetencies, right? I think Baylor is doing fine w/o your $100 donations......


It's best not to listen to the rabblerabblerabble of the blowhards on the freeboard trying to push a negative agenda.

This is an amazing announcement and shows that we are pretty serious about the image and sports at Baylor University. Sic 'Em!
Reply Quote
5
BylrFan
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:59p, 11/1/18
FINALLY
Reply Quote
4
Derp
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:00p, 11/1/18
Biggest takeaway is this, hopefully, means we have assurances we are in a good spot come realignment. Can't imagine we would spend this kind of money on athletic facilities if our future was CUSA
Reply Quote
2
Guy Noir
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:11p, 11/1/18
What happened to the campaign to increase the endowment?
Reply Quote
5
Dia del DougO
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:12p, 11/1/18
They might outta think about maybe throwing at least a couple hundred on the Title IX office.
Reply Quote
6
bigbearballs
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:14p, 11/1/18
So tear down Ferrell and build the fieldhouse? Some of these pictures I don't know what's going on?
Reply Quote
2
BaylorOkie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:00a, 11/2/18
That fieldhouse is awesome. Wow.
Reply Quote
4
Ashley Hodge
User Profile
Private Message
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:01a, 11/2/18
Staff
Ferrell remains intact with renovations for VB and Acro & Tumbling.

New arena will be built closer to river but in Ferrell parking lot.

Was told school feels comfortable with parking options and there will be new basketball practice facilities attached
Reply Quote Next Staff
PartyBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Derp • 6:42a, 11/2/18
Derp said:
Biggest takeaway is this, hopefully, means we have assurances we are in a good spot come realignment. Can't imagine we would spend this kind of money on athletic facilities if our future was CUSA


This thought crossed my mind as well. This also seems to put pressure on football to really get rolling again to bring the $$ rolling back in. This puts pressure on Rhule to get things back around where they were looks like we have an expectation of that and soon.
Reply Quote
1
Stranger
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:52a, 11/2/18
I got a report early yesterday that the Hurd building was actually going to have a smaller seating capacity than the current Ferrell Center. Supposedly, Mack Rhoads and some of the regents were concerned that the Baylor fans rarely fill Ferrell and a smaller arena is more desirable.

Can anyone confirm this information?
I'm a Bearbacker
Reply Quote
Stranger
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Guy Noir • 6:59a, 11/2/18
Guy Noir said:
What happened to the campaign to increase the endowment?


Good question. The article never says how much these buildings will cost. Did Hurd donate enough to build all of this for cash or will Baylor go further into debt? And will this impact tuition costs as has been the case in previous building projects?
I'm a Bearbacker
Reply Quote
1
BaylorHistory
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Stranger • 7:34a, 11/2/18
Stranger said:
I got a report early yesterday that the Hurd building was actually going to have a smaller seating capacity than the current Ferrell Center. Supposedly, Mack Rhoads and some of the regents were concerned that the Baylor fans rarely fill Ferrell and a smaller arena is more desirable.

Can anyone confirm this information?


I believe that's been the plan from the start.
Noooo evidence for that, babeeyyy, just maaade it up.
Reply Quote
4th and Inches
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BaylorHistory • 7:47a, 11/2/18
BaylorHistory said:
Stranger said:
I got a report early yesterday that the Hurd building was actually going to have a smaller seating capacity than the current Ferrell Center. Supposedly, Mack Rhoads and some of the regents were concerned that the Baylor fans rarely fill Ferrell and a smaller arena is more desirable.

Can anyone confirm this information?


I believe that's been the plan from the start.

New configuration, more upscale, and less seating is the plan... and a bigger trophy case for Mulkey
Reply Quote
1
Ashley Hodge
User Profile
Private Message
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Stranger • 7:52a, 11/2/18
Staff
Stranger said:
I got a report early yesterday that the Hurd building was actually going to have a smaller seating capacity than the current Ferrell Center. Supposedly, Mack Rhoads and some of the regents were concerned that the Baylor fans rarely fill Ferrell and a smaller arena is more desirable.

Can anyone confirm this information?
6500 seats 7200 capacity. Right move for sure. Give or take a few hundred on those numbers.

Hurd is naming on visiting center not the arena.
Reply Quote Next Staff
PartyBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Stranger • 8:00a, 11/2/18
Stranger said:
Guy Noir said:
What happened to the campaign to increase the endowment?


Good question. The article never says how much these buildings will cost. Did Hurd donate enough to build all of this for cash or will Baylor go further into debt? And will this impact tuition costs as has been the case in previous building projects?


I asked about some of this on the thread where this was announced on the football board on like page 3 of a thread. No one really responded. I would guess more debt. It appears whatever happens with the XII even if no one has given us any assurances of anything, we are preparing to make a big push on our own to stay somewhere in the P5 world. This would be worthy of debt in my opinion.
Reply Quote
3 edits
AustinCory
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Derp • 9:12a, 11/2/18
Derp said:
Biggest takeaway is this, hopefully, means we have assurances we are in a good spot come realignment. Can't imagine we would spend this kind of money on athletic facilities if our future was CUSA
I'm not sure about that, because Baylor was spending millions like Brewster on new campus buildings right before the Big XII Missile Crisis a few years ago.
Reply Quote
Big12Bear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Ashley Hodge • 9:25a, 11/2/18
Ashley Hodge said:
Stranger said:
I got a report early yesterday that the Hurd building was actually going to have a smaller seating capacity than the current Ferrell Center. Supposedly, Mack Rhoads and some of the regents were concerned that the Baylor fans rarely fill Ferrell and a smaller arena is more desirable.

Can anyone confirm this information?
6500 seats 7200 capacity. Right move for sure. Give or take a few hundred on those numbers.

Hurd is naming on visiting center not the arena.
That's perfect. The move will force a number of us to seriously consider season tickets, even from out of town.
Reply Quote
3
AustinCory
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Bear • 9:46a, 11/2/18
Big12Bear said:
Ashley Hodge said:
Stranger said:
I got a report early yesterday that the Hurd building was actually going to have a smaller seating capacity than the current Ferrell Center. Supposedly, Mack Rhoads and some of the regents were concerned that the Baylor fans rarely fill Ferrell and a smaller arena is more desirable.

Can anyone confirm this information?
6500 seats 7200 capacity. Right move for sure. Give or take a few hundred on those numbers.

Hurd is naming on visiting center not the arena.
That's perfect. The move will force a number of us to seriously consider season tickets, even from out of town.
Here in Austin, UT has been begging for a basketball venue like this. No one attends games there.
Reply Quote
3
Big12Bear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to AustinCory • 9:53a, 11/2/18
ValpoCory said:
Big12Bear said:
Ashley Hodge said:
Stranger said:
I got a report early yesterday that the Hurd building was actually going to have a smaller seating capacity than the current Ferrell Center. Supposedly, Mack Rhoads and some of the regents were concerned that the Baylor fans rarely fill Ferrell and a smaller arena is more desirable.

Can anyone confirm this information?
6500 seats 7200 capacity. Right move for sure. Give or take a few hundred on those numbers.

Hurd is naming on visiting center not the arena.
That's perfect. The move will force a number of us to seriously consider season tickets, even from out of town.
Here in Austin, UT has been begging for a basketball venue like this. No one attends games there.
Tech and UT built their venues way too big, although they each worked in getting decent concerts for awhile. UT's is also really aging. Has got to be 40+ years old by now. Bad atmosphere for sure.

EDIT: It looks like UT has a 10,000 seat on-campus arena in the works,
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
Lawbear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Stranger • 10:13a, 11/2/18
Stranger said:
I got a report early yesterday that the Hurd building was actually going to have a smaller seating capacity than the current Ferrell Center. Supposedly, Mack Rhoads and some of the regents were concerned that the Baylor fans rarely fill Ferrell and a smaller arena is more desirable.

Can anyone confirm this information?
This was not a serious statement, correct? The downsizing of the basketball capacity has been discussed in depth in every thread ever posted about the remodel/new build for basketball. And in addition to Mack Rhoades and some regents, literally every basketball fan has been in support of the downsizing. The only question is how much. The 6,500 - 7,000 seats are perfect in my opinion. Others may want it slightly bigger, but not much.
Reply Quote
7
BellCountyBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:37a, 11/2/18
Shoot, I was hoping for another golden boob for the biggest set of breasts in the country! Oh well.
Reply Quote
4
1 edit
Matt in DC
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:39a, 11/2/18
This is awesome! New arena and upgraded football facilities tells Baylor fans and everyone in the county, we are going to keep moving forward. We are not going to quit we will eep fighting and winning. I think 8,000 seats is perfect. Lets start surveying and digging!
Reply Quote
7
william
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:41p, 11/2/18
Fred's News (Huaco, TX) Dean Maness announced some of the recent ideas for chaired positions within the business escuela. ... Another idea raised was the Arby's Center for Fast Culinary Excellence. We are lucky to have a lead gift of $50 { pause} { hand over mic } {another lengthy pause } thousand {another pause } { muffled conversation w person seated next to him }, that's Fifty dollars {ahem}. Anyway, that's just another idear. { long pause. stares. } I think that will wrap things up. Thanks for coming today.' All this writer can say is things are looking mighty tasty at Baylor.
pro ecclesia, pro javelina
Reply Quote
1
5 edits
BluesBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:51p, 11/2/18
And that folks is the sound of an ever increasing tuition rate at Baylor.
Reply Quote
3
Stefano DiMera
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:56p, 11/2/18
I hope they take most of the ideas from the focus group i was on before the scandal hit.

Most people asked for them to take the best features from gyms like Allen Fieldhouse.

I specifically mentioned Hinkle Fieldhouse and SMUs Moody Colliseum redo.

I wonder if we'll see alcohol.
Reply Quote
CizzLark
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:50p, 11/2/18
Love college basketball even more than football. I just hope the sport isn't in shambles by the time this has been built.
Reply Quote
2
hodedofome
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BluesBear • 4:53p, 11/2/18
TrustTheProcess said:
And that folks is the sound of an ever increasing tuition rate at Baylor.
As long as people are willing to pay it, university's will increase it.

Kids need to vote with their wallet and find alternatives if they want the momentum to change direction.
Reply Quote
SigTauBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Brian Ethridge • 7:53p, 11/2/18
Brian Ethridge said:
newbear2019 said:
Wow, this is incredible. But according to this site, alumni want nothing to do with Baylor and their incompetencies, right? I think Baylor is doing fine w/o your $100 donations......


Alums love Baylor


I certainly do.
Reply Quote
2
PartyBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Stefano DiMera • 9:55a, 11/3/18
Stefano DiMera said:
I hope they take most of the ideas from the focus group i was on before the scandal hit.

Most people asked for them to take the best features from gyms like Allen Fieldhouse.

I specifically mentioned Hinkle Fieldhouse and SMUs Moody Colliseum redo.

I wonder if we'll see alcohol.


Doesn't it look to you like they did with regard to Allen Field House at least from this one rendering of the interior. I admit I don't recall and didn't google image SMU's venue.
Reply Quote
2 edits
fredbear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:41a, 11/5/18
Why no box seats? That would help raise money and make facility much more impressive.
Reply Quote
1 edit
Page 1 of 2 ▼
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.