Thursday, December 21, 2006

Contra Costa Times: Tedford embraces facility upgrade

WHEN COMPLETED, CENTER WILL BOOST TEAM'S RECRUITING

By Jay Heater

Cal football coach Jeff Tedford had a new look Wednesday at Memorial Stadium, and it had nothing to do with facial hair. Tedford was standing in front of artists' renderings of the planned Simpson High Performance Center, which is scheduled to open in spring 2009. At a media conference held to discuss the center, Tedford spoke about the importance of the new facility -- approved Dec. 5 by the UC Board of Regents -- when it comes to recruiting. ``With this facility we will be able to recruit, hopefully, throughout the country,'' Tedford said. He said that Cal's current facilities are a detriment when out-of-state recruits visit the campus. Those recruits might not be so familiar with Cal's academic reputation, Tedford said.

``They are disappointed with the visual aspect,'' he said. That no longer will be the case. The $125 million, 142,000-square-foot building, to be constructed along the west wall of Memorial Stadium, will bring Cal up to date with other powerhouse football programs. The center's roof will serve as a 68,000-square-foot plaza that will be open to ticketed fans on game days and give Cal extra concession opportunities. A Cal release said construction will begin in March, and Athletic Director Sandy Barbour noted that some preliminary work will begin immediately. Barbour said $100 million has been raised and she hopes the final $25 million will come together soon. The project's lead donor is Orinda's Barclay Simpson, who said Tedford's work as football coach was a key to his decision. ``He's a big part, yes,'' Simpson said. ``He's unusual as a person of character. He gets after those athletes to be good students. I am a great admirer.'' The final hitch in the construction is three lawsuits aimed at stopping the project. Cal vice chancellor Nathan Brostrom said lawsuits have been filed by the Panoramic Hill Association of Berkeley, the California Live Oak Foundation of Oakland and the city of Berkeley.

 

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