Guest Commentary :
Expansion of DSU athletics continues excellence

BY BRAD TEAGUE

Delta State Athletics has many exciting opportunities ahead of it. We are in the midst of a facilities upgrade period that will see seven new facilities either recently completed or initiated by the fall of 2005. We have an opportunity to further enhance our image and recognition as the top Division II Athletics Program in this country. We will not let this opportunity slip away. If there were any doubts about our status as a DII powerhouse before our facility projects are complete, there will be no doubt any more.

The first project is due for completion in the early part of the Spring Semester. This project is the Billy J. Dorgan, Jr. Student Performance Center. It is the largest of the seven projects and is an amazing athletics complex. The 15,000 square foot facility will be a showcase building for our campus and department. It will be attached to the north side of the current Chadwick-Dickson Field House. Properly describing this amazing space is hard to accomplish or do justice. Once completed, our department will have a state-of-the-art workout facility on the bottom floor with a state-of-the-art academic facility on the top floor. The academic center portion will house two technologically enhanced classrooms for the Athletic Training Program through our School of Education. It will secondarily be used for tutorial opportunities for our athletes. DSU Athletics has needed this type of facility for many years; in fact all schools need this type of facility. The Billy Dorgan family made this project possible.

The second of seven facilities on board to construct began in December. This is our Bud Thigpen Baseball Annex. This two-story facility was made possible by the family of Bud Thigpen. The Thigpen Annex will be a 3,000 square foot addition to the east side of the Chadwick-Dickson Field House. The purpose is to expand the baseball locker room and provide coaches offices and coaches locker room space. A player’s room sets this great addition off. This project should be complete in the fall 2005.

The third facility is the Crawford Baseball Service Center. This project should begin the summer of 2005. The building was made possible by the John Crawford Family. The center will be a replacement of the current concessions and restroom facility at Ferriss Field. But the new building will be much more. Half of the 3,000 square feet will be known as the Dave “Boo” Ferriss Room dedicated to DSU Baseball Memorabilia. Much of the Ferriss Room will be dedicated to the man himself. In conjunction with this new center will be a gated entry way into Ferriss Field. This will further enhance what is largely recognized as the premier baseball complex and setting in Division II Athletics.

Other facilities include a restroom/concessions complex on the visitor’s side of Parker Field, a renovation to Walter-Sillers Coliseum, and a renovation to Chadwick-Dickson Field House. All of which will be initiated in 2005.

With all of the facility upgrades and changes, we are excited about 2005 to say the least. The spring semester brings many exciting challenges and opportunities. Of our 13 sports, nine are active during the Spring Semester. It makes for a busy, yet fun time in athletics. Please take the time to join us for a game, match, or meet. We provide entertainment for everyone. Delta State University and Delta State Athletics is proud to be a part of the great culture and mission of our region. Please come and share in our progress. DBJ

(Brad Teague is the Athletic Director at Delta State University)

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