Miami AD: New basketball facility ‘definitely on the agenda’

Most likely scenario is renovation of Millett Hall

Miami University athletic director David Sayler discussed plans for a new basketball facility during his monthly Ask the AD discussion, saying school president Gregory Crawford wants to make the initiative part of his campaign.

›› RELATED: Miami opens $25 million Athletic Performance Center

“It’s definitely on the agenda,” Sayler said, adding that the most likely scenario is for a donor-driven project that will feature the building of a new practice facility and renovations to Millett Hall.

“If a donor says they want a new facility and is willing to invest, then we’ll certainly have that discussion,” Sayler said. “But right now the most likely scenario, and what we’re going to present to people, is a practice facility built on the east side of Millett Hall and then the renovation of Millett.”

Included in the plans for renovation are sliding the floor closer to the seats in the south end zone while constructing permanent seats where the temporary bleachers are in the south end zone, Sayler said. There also will be club level seating both for fans and a student section.

›› RELATED: Miami debuts $14 million indoor facility

“The basketball question is the one I get now after what we’ve done with football and baseball and hockey,” Sayler said. “I feel like I have good plan for the board to move forward, but obviously we need the president’s buy in, and he’s very interested.”

Sayler said the basketball project, which will include court usage for students in the practice facility when the teams aren't working out, will be his primary focus after hiring Jack Owens as the men's coach and Megan Duffy as the women's coach within the last two weeks.

About the Author