Athletics facilities renovations to continue

Nicholls State University began the first of its many athletic facility upgrades in August 2014, with more planned in the coming years.
The $20,000 project on John L. Guidry Stadium added graphics, pictures and new branding to the Century Clubroom, the press row and the suite areas, as well as banners on the Audubon Drive side of the stadium.

The $550,000 renovation to Stopher Gym is scheduled to be completed by mid-February. The renovation was projected to be completed by Jan 17, but the date was pushed back as the contractor fell behind.

Renovations to Stopher will include an expanded training room that will be available to all athletes, men’s basketball locker room, meeting rooms, player’s lounge, men’s basketball coaches’ offices and visiting and referee locker rooms. This will be the first renovation to the 45-year-old building.

“It’s a huge renovation for us. We’re excited about it,” Brandon Ruttley, Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs, said.
A $150,000 27-foot Daktronics basketball video board will also be placed in the gym. The new board will benefit all sports, allowing replays and commercials.

“Most importantly, it will benefit students at graduation by being able to witness themselves via camera while walking across the stage. It is an added perk to the campus,” Ruttley said.

Barker Hall Training Room is also under construction. As a part of a new agreement with Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, the hospital is paying for the full renovation of the new training room. The training area will be furnished with new training equipment for athletes. Completion of the renovation to Barker Hall should be sometime in the near future.

An upgrade to the old baseball press box will include additional space, a new concession stand and a suite. The $850,000 project will start immediately the day after the last baseball game in late May or early June.

Another upgrade to the baseball department will be a field house. The project will start construction in late 2015 or early 2016 and take approximately eight months to complete. Benefits to the field house will be enclosed seating, a new entrance, new lights and enclosed hitting cages. According to Ruttley, athletics only have a portion of the funds and plan to obtain the rest by the end of this summer.

Junior forward for men’s basketball, Travis Julien, said, “We’re excited about it. It is something that we have been waiting for. We know it’s going to be better all together and more modern, but the focus is still on basketball and trying to gain wins and getting better.”
As a supporter of Nicholls State University, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center is building a $70,000,000 wellness center that will be accessible to athletes.

“Thibodaux Regional is a huge partner in Nicholls athletics, and without them we probably wouldn’t be in as good of a position as we are now,” Ruttley said.

According to Ruttley, with upgrades continuing to athletic facilities, they are expectant to gain more student athletes, donations, student support and faculty involvement.