BIRMINGHAM – The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the first phase for a new men’s and women’s basketball practice facility on Friday morning.
The state-of-the-art practice facility will be a renovation project of Wallace Gymnasium and serve as the new home to both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. The total scope of the project is $8.5 million and has already generated approximately $4.7 million in cash and pledges needed.
The project amenities include two full length practice courts, coaches’ suites, locker rooms and players’ lounges for each program.
“Since Coach Bartow first stepped foot in Birmingham, UAB Basketball has been an instrumental part of our foundation for growth and success,” stated Mark Ingram, Director of Athletics. “This basketball project will provide an elite facility that gives our teams a competitive advantage in today’s landscape of college basketball.”
The UAB men’s basketball program has fifteen NCAA Tournament appearances in program history and has won 20 or more games in three of the past four years.
“A new practice facility will continue to give UAB Basketball the opportunity to compete on a national stage while building upon our rich tradition,” said head men’s basketball coach Rob Ehsan.
The women’s basketball team has compiled 68 wins throughout the last two and a half seasons, including winning the 2018 Conference USA regular season title.
“This important investment in our basketball programs will help foster additional success,” said head women’s basketball coach Randy Norton. “We are excited about the impact this facility will have on UAB, Blazer student-athletes, and the City of Birmingham.”
When completed, this project will be one of many capital projects and facility renovations UAB has invested in, bringing the total to 24 new or renovated athletics facilities over the past five years.
To pledge your support towards the UAB Basketball Practice facility, click here or call the Blazer Boosters office at 205-996-9969.
