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CHAMPAIGN, IL - The Illinois Champions Campaign has begun with the announcement today of a major, $30 million renovation of the Richard T. Ubben Basketball Complex, pending approval by the UI Board of Trustees.
The 20-year-old facility will undergo a facelift that will more than double the square footage of the building. Improvements will benefit both the men's and women's programs and will include additional court space, state-of-the-art sports medicine facilities, an enhanced strength and conditioning area, study spaces, expanded staff offices, and modern student-athlete amenities in new locker rooms and team areas.
"There is a direct correlation between the construction of the Ubben Complex and the unparalleled success our program enjoyed over the next 10 years that followed," said UI Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. "In the 20 years since Ubben opened, the concept has been copied by programs from coast-to-coast. Now, it is imperative for us to ensure that this outstanding facility remains as cutting-edge today as it was when it opened. We look forward to using this facility to help catapult the Fighting Illini programs back to an elite level."
When completed in 1998, the Ubben Complex was a state-of-art-facility as one of the first dedicated training facilities in Division I basketball, setting the standard for collegiate basketball programs to emulate. In the 10 years following the announcement and completion of the building, the Illinois men's basketball program won five Big Ten titles, appeared in the NCAA Tournament nine times and played for the national title in 2005.
"We're excited about the expansion plans for the Ubben Basketball Complex," Illini Men's Coach Brad Underwood said. "It will enable us to be self-contained in terms of everything we do from enhanced athletic training, rehab and recovery areas, to rooms for academic services, an expanded strength and conditioning area, dining space, expanded court space, and the most up-to-date technological offerings throughout the building. This renovation will offer a comprehensive, functional space that is the players' home-away-from-home and has them excited every time they walk in the doors. Bottom line, it will be a facility that allows our players to achieve their best as students and athletes."
The renovation will add approximately 45,000 square feet to the existing structure, while remodeling more than 8,300 square feet of existing space. New office space and areas to host recruits and small groups will also be a part of the project. Two new half courts will be added to both the women's and men's current gym space, giving the two programs additional space to work on development while not disrupting full-court action. The project will feature a two-story strength and conditioning room, will triple the size of the locker rooms and player lounges, and include a state-of-the-art sports medicine area.
"We're really excited about the future of basketball at the University of Illinois," said Illini Women's Coach Nancy Fahey. "The Ubben Basketball Complex serves as a home-away-from-home for our student-athletes, where they can come not only to practice, but to study, rehab, relax and spend time together. The time we spend here as a team is invaluable to our program and the relationships that are developed within our basketball family. This is a first-class university both academically and athletically, and the upgrade of our practice facility will give us the opportunity to continue provide the best student-athlete experience in the Big Ten Conference."
A new main entrance on the south side of the facility and parking layout to the east will give the building a primary orientation off St. Mary's Road.
THE CHAMPIONS CAMPAIGN: The Champions Campaign is a $30 million fundraising campaign to provide the needed resources for the University of Illinois Basketball programs, and renovate and expand the Richard T. Ubben Basketball Complex. The Champions Campaign is part of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics' $300 million fundraising goal for "With Illinois," the recently announced $2.25 billion University-wide fundraising campaign.
