Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Creighton announces plans for new athletic facility

Doug McDermott Greg

The focus of the college basketball facilities arms race may be on high-majors, but don’t think the same desire for upgrades doesn’t exist within the mid-major ranks, too.

With that in mind, Creighton announced plans Tuesday to construct a new athletic practice and training facility on its east campus.

“This is an important element of Creighton’s campus master plan and the University’s commitment to enhancing services and opportunities for students,” athletic director Bruce Rasmussen said in a release. “This facility is important to Creighton because of the visibility and revenue that our successful athletics programs generate.”

According to the release, the school plans to use money from donors and supporters of the program to build a structure that would house men’s basketball offices and practice facilities.

The school is considering two locations for the new building, both near the university’s Ryan Center.

“The facility is a critical component of recruitment and retention of student-athletes who make Creighton proud both in the classroom and on the court or field,” Rasmussen went on to say. “Creighton has not only excelled in conference and national athletics competition, but our student-athletes have consistently been recognized as leaders in the classroom by the NCAA and the Missouri Valley Conference.”

Behind star Doug McDermott, Creighton finished last season with an overall record of 29-6, including 14-4 in the MVC. McDermott returns for his junior season after averaging 22.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in 2011-12.

The proposal can move into its building and design phase after it has been granted approval by the Creighton Board of Trustees.

Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_