A: While we have a collection of excellent gameday athletic facilities, our current development facilities are outdated, overcrowded and, in some cases, non-existent. Our student-athletes need modern development facilities to remain academically and athletically competitive with our peers in the Big Ten. This facilities plan efficiently addresses those needs. Read more about the need here.

A: The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved our Athletes Village plan at its October 2015 meeting and the three new buildings that were part of this plan opened to student-athletes in January 2018. The innovative Land O’Lakes Inc. Center for Excellence houses the John and Nancy Lindahl Academic Center, a nutrition center, and a unique leadership center focused on life skills, leadership and community outreach. Additionally, Athletes Village includes new development and support facilities for football and men’s and women’s basketball. Beyond that initial phase of construction, the remainder of this campaign will focus on building a competition-level track on the East Bank of our campus for our women’s and men’s track and field programs, a new indoor practice facility for our men’s and women’s golf teams, as well as reimagining and renovating existing spaces within the athletic department’s Bierman and Gibson-Nagurski buildings, which currently hold offices and practice spaces for dozens of Gopher teams. This phase includes renovating the existing indoor field to modernize it for our Olympic sports, which regularly use it for practice and training.

A: Our campaign goal is to raise $190 million to build these new facilities, renovate existing spaces and fund operations costs and programmatic needs, such as new technology and additional support staff. That budget includes the construction of the Land O’Lakes Center for Excellence and new development and support facilities for football and men’s and women’s basketball, as well as future work to modernize spaces within the Bierman and Gibson-Nagurski buildings and build a new, competition-level track.

A: Gopher Athletics will fund this project entirely through private donations and athletics revenue. The Athletes Village will not require any permanent funding from the University, nor Minnesota taxpayers.

A: These facilities are on and immediately around the existing athletics footprint that includes the Bierman Athletic Center, the Gibson-Nagurski Athletic Complex, and outdoor practice fields. The new, competition-level track will be located near the Athletes Village, on the East Bank of our campus.

A: Because of our unique location in the heart of a bustling metro area like the Twin Cities, available space is limited. After assessing our needs, we concluded that the most logistically and financially responsible plan was to build these new facilities as one plan on part of our existing footprint.

A: The cornerstone of this plan is the Land O’Lakes Inc. Center for Excellence, which will serve all 720 Gopher student-athletes. This building houses the significantly expanded John and Nancy Lindahl Academic Center; a modern nutrition center (we currently have no dining space within the athletics footprint), and; an innovative leadership development center focused on student-athlete leadership, life skills and community outreach. The increase in dedicated athletic practice space will also contribute to a better learning and studying environment for our student-athletes by providing more flexibility, making it easier to schedule team activities around academic and personal development needs.

A: Greatness in athletics drives wider success throughout the University, which directly and positively impacts the entire state of Minnesota. Greatness in athletics can increase the number of applications from prospective students, and create positive perceptions and name recognition for the University of Minnesota, either of which would otherwise require massive investments from the institution to match. Benefitting the University of Minnesota benefits all of Minnesota. These new facilities will allow our student-athletes more time and space for community outreach initiatives, benefitting many community groups. Speaking strictly financially, these facilities also provide value to Minnesota. The U has proven to produce positive return on investment campus-wide, generating $13.20 in the statewide economy for every $1 invested. Learn more about the value these facilities have outside the Athletics Department here.

A: University athletic facilities are used by many campus and non-campus groups. These new facilities will have an impact on many more people than our 720 current Gopher student-athletes.

A: To support our Nothing Short of Greatness campaign to build these new facilities, simply click on the “Donate Now” button in the upper-right of your screen. That will open up a new tab on your web browser with instructions on how to easily donate online. With any questions about donating to this campaign or Gopher Athletics in general, please contact the Golden Gopher Fund by calling (612) 626-4653, emailing [email protected], or visiting GoldenGopherFund.com.

A: The University of Minnesota men’s and women’s track and field programs have not had an outdoor facility in more than a decade that meets the minimum standards to host regular season or postseason collegiate competition, including Big Ten or NCAA meets. This facility will give these programs a new home for training and competing located in the heart of the Athletes Village area.

A: In total, the project will cost $19 million. The cost to construct the track and field stadium is $13 million. The additional costs are associated with relocating the University’s rec sports softball field and indoor bubble, which currently occupy the site of the new track.

A: Our goal is to fundraise the total cost of this facility through private contributions.

A: Though construction timelines are always fluid, we anticipate the facility will be complete and ready for use in September 2018.

A: We have identified a great location for the new outdoor track and field stadium on the East Bank campus, in the heart of the new Athletes Village area. This space, currently occupied by student recreation soccer fields, softball fields and indoor “bubble,” is located just east of Siebert Field and north of Jane Sage Cowles Stadium along 8th Street SE.

A: The new outdoor track and field facility includes everything necessary to host not only Big Ten and NCAA competitions, but state high school meets and USA Track and Field competitions, including a nine-lane track, amenities to host all field events and steeplechase, and both permanent and event-based seating for spectators. Read more about the facility details here.

A: Yes. For competition purposes, our track and field facility will be a place where the Minnesota State High School League can host its state meet, which is currently split into multiple sessions over multiple days. It will also provide a Minnesota option for USA Track and Field to place its marquee events. The facility will also be available to host club and community competitions. It will also become a resource for the rest of the University of Minnesota campus, which will have access to use the facility.