Cole Almost Ready for Practice, Funding Reaches Milestone

Published 7/1/17 in 247 Sports

The University of Maryland has raised two-thirds of the capital needed for its indoor football and academic facility at Cole Field House, according to a press release disseminated Friday.

According to the release, the school’s generated more than $57 million in private donations and will $25 million in state funds for the project, which carries an estimated price tag of $155 million. Another $19 million will come from the school’s athletics revenue. Under Armour founder Kevin Plank has contributed $25 million to his alma mater for the project.

The transition from storied basketball arena into state-of-the-art football facility overlooking Maryland Stadium has taken big strides during the past six months. The initial phase of the project, centering on the full-size indoor practice field, will be done at the end of July according to a school spokesman. The team will begin using the field regularly before then.

“When you walk in, it takes your breath away. It’s unbelievable. It’s the largest in the country when you talk about the height of it. We can punt, kick off, do everything in there,” Maryland coach DJ Durkin said this week in a in interview with The Sports Junkies. “It really will be hard to find a better one. It’s been a gamechanger for us already when guys come in here, in terms of recruiting … Our players are really, really excited seeing that go up.”

Friday’s release touted the academic programs and spaces that will be hosted by the new facility:

The new Cole Field House will be a state-of-the art facility designed to integrate research, innovation, athletics and orthopedics, serving to promote and accelerate the translation of research discoveries in sports medicine and traumatic brain injury into clinical practice. The expansion will enhance the mission of the Center for Sports Medicine, Health and Human Performance at Cole Field House, a signature MPowering the State program, and fulfill the promise envisioned by the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership Act: MPowering the State (SB 1052).

Click here for a live look at Cole Field House.