Indoor practice facilities in the Big 12

Published: June 14, 2008

The Bears have tentative plans in place to construct an indoor practice facility. School officials are currently raising funds for the project.

The school completed a $2.9 million practice bubble last fall, a much-needed addition for a football team that has constantly battled the frigid conditions of the Rockies.

The $9.6 million Steve and Debbie Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility opened in March 2004. The 92,000-square-foot building was constructed over the existing turf practice field west of Jack Trice Stadium.

The Anschutz Pavilion is the indoor home for many Jayhawk teams, featuring 40,000 square feet. The 120-yard field was supplied with new turf in 1999.

The Wildcats practice in the mammoth 94,000-square foot indoor practice facility, which is believed to be the largest in the nation.

The Daniel J. Devine Indoor Practice Facility was a $12 million project completed in the summer of 1998. During stormy weather and the winter months, the Tigers conduct football practice on the 90-yard artificial turf surface inside the facility. During daylight savings time late in the fall, Missouri often finishes practice in the Devine, which is equipped with a sound system that simulates crowd noise.

Nebraska's Hawks Championship Center houses the Cornhusker football team during inclement weather. "The Hawk” features 81,200 square feet, which includes a full-length field identical to Memorial Stadium's game field. Two years ago, Nebraska completed the Osborne Athletic Complex and Hawks Championship Center at the cost of $50 million.

"The Bubble” is impossible to miss driving south on Interstate 35 through Austin. Built at the cost of $4 million, the facility was finished in 2002. The Bubble, which has climate control, is 70,000 square feet and 61 feet high, housing many other athletic teams during bad or hot weather.

The air-conditioned McFerrin Athletic Center was completed last year for $38 million.

The Aggies also boast a 10,500-square foot indoor batting and pitching facility adjacent to Olsen Field. The facility, completed in the spring of 2004 for $700,000, has three batting cages and a bullpen area for both the baseball and softball teams.

The Red Raiders don't have their own indoor football practice facility, but during bad weather they do go inside the "Bubble,” which is home to the indoor track and field teams. Tech rolls out a 60-yard turf onto the surface during football practice.

By Jake Trotter

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