PISCATAWAY — The planned upgrades to Rutgers University’s football practice fields will come with an $8.5 million price tag expected to be covered solely by athletic department boosters, the university disclosed Wednesday.
The cost of the major improvements was a mystery to the public until the Rutgers Board of Governors approved the project at its meeting Wednesday. The bulk of the cost, $5 million, will be paid for by an anonymous donor, according to the resolution passed by the board.
NJ Advance Media previously reported the renovations will largely be paid for by Rutgers boosters Jeff and Amy Towers, who made the largest private gift in the history of Rutgers Athletics, according to sources with knowledge of the planned upgrades. The remaining $3.5 million is expected to secured through additional fundraising, according to the resolution.
Recapping Rutgers recruiting haul
The new high-end practice fields, scoreboards, permanent film towers and state-of-the-art lighting system will raise Rutgers’ practice facility to the caliber of other Big Ten teams, a significant boost for Rutgers’ hopes to gain ground in recruiting.
The ability to raise $8.5 million for a practice facility is a sign that Athletic Director Pat Hobbs’ has re-energized Rutgers’ sports fans and athletics boosters, university President Robert Barchi said.
“We are delighted to have alumni in that capacity who are willing to make that commitment,” Barchi said. “That’s what we need if we are going to become competitive players in the Big Ten because that’s what happens with all the other Big Ten schools.”
Barchi stressed that the $5 million gift was donated specifically for the practice fields and is not taking money away from academic initiatives.
Located adjacent to the Hale Center, the upgraded practice complex will feature two new grass fields with an enhanced drainage and irrigation system. Along with the lights and scoreboards and other features, it will have permanent bathrooms to replace that current Porta Johns, according to the resolution passed by the board.
The fields will be named after All-American tight end Marco Battaglia, who starred at Rutgers in the 1990s before playing eight seasons in the NFL.
Staff writer Ryan Dunleavy contributed to this report.
Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
