The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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working hard on sequencing these projects in such a way that we can begin construction very soon." The map of the future on the sup- port.mgoblue.com site can quicken the pulse of even those whose in- terest primarily settles on Michigan Stadium and Crisler Center. It de- picts the Schembechler Hall renova- tion that has already been approved, along with an artist's rendering of the soon-to-be-revealed escalators inside Michigan's basketball arena, fresh off nearly $100 million worth of improvements. there if they're parked over near the stadium? Will it lay right there? We don't know that right now — but it could." The renderings also reveal an ath- letic campus transformed well be- yond the revenue-generating sports. They show off a new golf clubhouse that could host "university events, dignitaries and fundraising activi- ties," to go with a course restoration of the Alister MacKenzie-designed layout. "It's also a place we want our fans and alums to be so incredibly proud of. We all talk about tradition here at Michigan, and pride in what we have accomplished. Part of that pride is what we're ultimately trying to ac- complish. There's a practicality about all of it, but there's also a very emo- tional component that is very impor- tant to the project." Outdoor and indoor track fa- cilities are presented at the athletic Rawak insists Brandon is wholly committed to the roughly 880 Michi- gan student-athletes on campus right now, as well as the thousands that will follow them in years to come. This vision goes beyond even them, she noted. "He's also committed to the tradi- tion and the pride he wants every- body to feel when they come back to campus and they bring their fami- lies, and they walk through Crisler Center and they go to the sport that they participated in, or the sport they watched as a fan," she said. "They might say, 'I want to show This rendering gives an idea of what a new multi-sport competition venue might look like. In this depiction, the arena is set up for volleyball. IMAGE COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT One of the most striking render- ings depicts a "Walk Of Champi- ons," a brick walkway passing from Schembechler Hall through the Wil- pon Complex, past Crisler Center and winding up at Michigan Sta- dium. It may not happen precisely in the fashion shown on the website, according to Chrissi Rawak, senior associate athletic director for devel- opment, and Rob Rademacher, as- sociate athletic director, facilities and operations. But the dream is out there, they both agree. campuses' southern-most outpost, along with a lacrosse stadium, a new strength-and-conditioning center, coaches offices and player locker rooms for soccer, and an indoor row- ing structure. you Tshimanga Biakabutuka — I loved watching that guy. Let me show you a video of him.' There's a practicality to it, but there's also this sense of we want to be the best. We want to be an incredibly exciting place to be, in every way, shape and form." "If you look at that website, it's a needs assessment," Rademacher said. "It identifies all of our needs throughout all of our programs. It's not just involving all of our teams. It's how do fans get to different parts of our campus? "That's part of what that Walk of Champions really signifies. If we have an event at Yost, at a new multi- sport competition venue, and a swim meet, how are the fans going to get 46 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2012 The field hockey venue, near Schembechler Hall, gets major up- grades in this depicted vision. The Stephen M. Ross Academic Center, Canham Natatorium and Weiden- bach Hall — U-M's athletic adminis- tration building — all expand. Softball team facilities are up- graded, and a new multi-sport com- petition venue moves into the space presently occupied by Michigan's timeworn indoor track building. Michigan officials appreciate what has been done so far, but their vision exceeds what can be presently seen. "Number one, it's about creating opportunities so that every student- athlete has the same experiences," said Rawak. "Is it a dream? Yes. But it's going to happen. I know it's go- ing to happen. That's where the $250 million comes in. Rawak noted Michigan has roughly five to seven years to raise that money, and she and Radem- acher confirm that level of funding is projected to cover all the upgrades hoped for in the plan. Getting there won't be easy, Rawak conceded, but she's committed to building a team that can cross the finish line. "There is no question it's going to take a village," she said. "We're not going to find one donor to give us $250 million. It is predicated on many people that have a passion and a commitment for their experiences here as a student in watching sports, their experiences as a student-athlete, whatever their tie to athletics may be, stepping up and being a part of this project." Her department's task is to raise as much of that total as it possibly can. Some can come from athletic depart- ment resources, but a large portion will be sought from donors. "We would be utilizing operational surplus, and also doing a little bit