Championship-caliber teams deserve championship-caliber facilities

To be successful at the highest levels of the ACC and the NCAA, it is essential that we provide championship-level playing venues for all 27 of our varsity teams.

Our first-class facilities already in place-the Comcast Center and Gossett Football Team House, for example-have proven invaluable as recruiting tools for Maryland's basketball and football programs. They are also a great source of pride for our student athletes, coaches, Terrapin Club members and other supporters.

New or improved venues have also been completed for wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, softball, field hockey, women's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming, water polo, men's and women's golf, and competitive cheerleading

Other athletic facilities at Maryland, however, have not seen any major capital improvements for almost 35 years. These facilities are in need of more than just paint or a quick fix; they are literally not up to par with what one would expect from an athletics program on a path to greatness.

A new agreement between Chevy Chase Bank and University of Maryland Athletics means that our Terrapin football and lacrosse teams will now play on Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. The agreement will provide the university with $20 million, which will pay for a significant portion of the overall cost of the Byrd Stadium upgrades.

Planned construction projects include:

Enhancements to Byrd Stadium, which include the construction of premium seating, containing over 50 suites of varying sizes, along the south sideline; upscale common areas containing lounge, restrooms and elevators; a Presidential Suite with seating for 200; additional mezzanine seating for approximately 500, including food service, heat and covered seating; new work area for television, radio and print media; new work area for coaches and game day operating staff; and enhanced seating for disabled customers. We also will install railings in the South and North lower bowl seats to enhance fan comfort and safety; and will lower the field at Byrd Stadium to improve the sight lines for seats on the first 10 rows, converting those 3,000 seats from obstructed view seats to a number of the best views in the stadium. These projects will create a significantly improved Byrd Stadium.

Renovation of the Varsity Team House, which houses team locker rooms, sports medicine and strength and conditioning areas for the baseball, men's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's track & field teams.

Improvements to Ludwig Field and Kehoe Track, the competition site for men's and women's soccer, men's lacrosse, and men's and women's track & field. These facilities are currently not up to championship-level standards. Men's soccer, for example, took home the NCAA title in 2005, yet still uses temporary trailers at Ludwig Field for their game-related locker room space.

Construction of the Holman Short Game Golf Facility for the men's and women's golf teams. For a preliminary look at the proposed short game facility, click here.  For a look at the progress of this exciting new facility, please click here.

Creating a winter indoor practice facility at the lowered Byrd Stadium field that will service all of our field teams during the inclement weather months.

"Facilities are the silent statement of commitment, and we have an obligation to provide an infrastructure that represents an athletics program consistently pursuing ACC and national championships and academic honors of distinction."