SE: Hill, Dibbini Envision Sizable Impacts from Baseball/Soccer Facility Project
Oct 16, 2017 | Baseball, Soccer, Sports Extra, Athletics
By Corbin McGuire
In the offices of K-State head baseball coach Brad Hill and head soccer coach Mike Dibbini, enlarged photo renderings are proudly displayed. Each can look over whenever he wants and see a glimpse into the future of their programs.
While the naked eye will see computerized drawings of new buildings, offices, locker rooms and more as part of K-State Athletics' campaign to fund a $15 million facility project, Hill and Dibbini both see beyond and envision the positive impact the project will have on their program.
Dibbini described it as a "game-changer" for his program. Hill called it "truly an exciting day" for his.
Among the major renovations to Tointon Family Stadium, Hill specifically pointed out the extra space created by the construction of an expansive new clubhouse along the third-base grandstand.
On top of this new two-story clubhouse will be coaches' offices and meeting space that overlook the field. The bottom floor stands out to Hill, however. It will include a spacious lounge, improved locker room, team meeting room for student-athletes, sports medicine and rehabilitation area, and renovated space for equipment and laundry.
"The locker room will be a tremendous addition. There's going to be space for our players now," Hill, entering his 15th season as head coach, said. "I think as a coach, you always want your players to make the baseball field, the baseball stadium, their second home. I think when you create what we're going to create with the new locker room and the new lounge area, the players are going to want to be here more often than they already are.
"We already have a nice space but it's a space that handles about 10 or 12 kids at a time. The new space will allow 20 or more kids to come in and spend time together. On weekends when they come to work out, instead of everybody heading back home afterward, you can have a group of them in there watching a football game together, creating that bond and that team chemistry that a coach knows is important to a program."
A 1,400-seat stadium will be built for soccer, complete with new coaches' offices, a locker room, lounge, strength and conditioning area, and sports medicine space. Dibbini said this step, announced in the program's second season, would have "a major impact" in recruiting.
"When the project is done, it's going to absolutely put us on that level of competitiveness with the rest of our conference," Dibbini said. "Almost every recruit wants to know how much support the school has for their particular sport, and this is a massive statement from our administration, supporters and community. We are extremely grateful and appreciative."
As much as the two programs will benefit from the project, both coaches also complimented the fan-experience improvements included as well.
Tointon Family Stadium will receive a major facelift, with a new facade and roof included along with improvements to existing suites and concessions.
"It's just going to be a tremendous addition to an already beautiful stadium," Hill said. "It's one of the best venues in the Big 12 and this will just add to that."
The new soccer stadium, which will be built on the site of the existing temporary facility, will include larger and more comfortable seating for fans, as well as concessions and restrooms.
"From day one, we have had one of the top fan bases in the nation for our home matches," Dibbini said. "Now with the new facility, it will enhance that experience even more."
Continuing K-State Athletics' commitment to fiscal responsibility, the department will once again depend on individual donors throughout Wildcat Nation to build on the $7.5 million already pledged to reach $10 million and enable construction to potentially begin after the conclusion of the 2018-19 soccer and baseball seasons with desired completion in time for the 2019-20 seasons.
For more information on the project, including the latest photo renderings, visit the department's website at www.k-statesports.com/buildkstate.
In the offices of K-State head baseball coach Brad Hill and head soccer coach Mike Dibbini, enlarged photo renderings are proudly displayed. Each can look over whenever he wants and see a glimpse into the future of their programs.
While the naked eye will see computerized drawings of new buildings, offices, locker rooms and more as part of K-State Athletics' campaign to fund a $15 million facility project, Hill and Dibbini both see beyond and envision the positive impact the project will have on their program.
Dibbini described it as a "game-changer" for his program. Hill called it "truly an exciting day" for his.
Among the major renovations to Tointon Family Stadium, Hill specifically pointed out the extra space created by the construction of an expansive new clubhouse along the third-base grandstand.
On top of this new two-story clubhouse will be coaches' offices and meeting space that overlook the field. The bottom floor stands out to Hill, however. It will include a spacious lounge, improved locker room, team meeting room for student-athletes, sports medicine and rehabilitation area, and renovated space for equipment and laundry.
"The locker room will be a tremendous addition. There's going to be space for our players now," Hill, entering his 15th season as head coach, said. "I think as a coach, you always want your players to make the baseball field, the baseball stadium, their second home. I think when you create what we're going to create with the new locker room and the new lounge area, the players are going to want to be here more often than they already are.
"We already have a nice space but it's a space that handles about 10 or 12 kids at a time. The new space will allow 20 or more kids to come in and spend time together. On weekends when they come to work out, instead of everybody heading back home afterward, you can have a group of them in there watching a football game together, creating that bond and that team chemistry that a coach knows is important to a program."
A 1,400-seat stadium will be built for soccer, complete with new coaches' offices, a locker room, lounge, strength and conditioning area, and sports medicine space. Dibbini said this step, announced in the program's second season, would have "a major impact" in recruiting.
"When the project is done, it's going to absolutely put us on that level of competitiveness with the rest of our conference," Dibbini said. "Almost every recruit wants to know how much support the school has for their particular sport, and this is a massive statement from our administration, supporters and community. We are extremely grateful and appreciative."
As much as the two programs will benefit from the project, both coaches also complimented the fan-experience improvements included as well.
Tointon Family Stadium will receive a major facelift, with a new facade and roof included along with improvements to existing suites and concessions.
"It's just going to be a tremendous addition to an already beautiful stadium," Hill said. "It's one of the best venues in the Big 12 and this will just add to that."
The new soccer stadium, which will be built on the site of the existing temporary facility, will include larger and more comfortable seating for fans, as well as concessions and restrooms.
"From day one, we have had one of the top fan bases in the nation for our home matches," Dibbini said. "Now with the new facility, it will enhance that experience even more."
Continuing K-State Athletics' commitment to fiscal responsibility, the department will once again depend on individual donors throughout Wildcat Nation to build on the $7.5 million already pledged to reach $10 million and enable construction to potentially begin after the conclusion of the 2018-19 soccer and baseball seasons with desired completion in time for the 2019-20 seasons.
For more information on the project, including the latest photo renderings, visit the department's website at www.k-statesports.com/buildkstate.
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