The Georgia Southern Athletics Department has released plans for a $12.3 million Anthony P. Tippins Family Indoor Practice Facility to be built adjacent to Allen E. Paulson Stadium that will serve all 17 NCAA-sponsored athletic programs. The transformative project, which is slated for completion in early 2023, will benefit the needs of all 400 student-athletes while also creating new revenue-generating activities for the department.
"The construction of the Anthony P. Tippins Family Indoor Practice Facility is a critical need for our athletic department," Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Jared Benko said. "Inclement weather currently inhibits our ability to fully practice and prepare for competitions. This project addresses that issue for us. Additionally, this facility provides our student-athletes, coaches and staff the ability to escape the sunlight during the hottest parts of the day during the summer months. The revenue generated from game day-related activities enhances the pro forma for this project and improves our game day experience. All-in-all, this transformative facility is a game-changer for us!"
As currently displayed, the project renderings are currently at 60% of design and feature a 91,300-square-foot practice area, highlighted by synthetic turf, fully-covered 120-yard regulation football field. The facility will also feature an approximately 30-yard practice area for supplemental drills. An advanced netting system will be installed to further enhance training opportunities for our student-athletes, particularly football, baseball, softball, men's soccer, women's soccer and women's track and field.
The facility will have an interior height of 65 feet that will allow for a variety of practice drills (not inclusive of live punting). The practice field will have a 20-foot buffer outside the sideline perimeter that provides a safe space to conduct live play workouts.
The north and south sides of the structure will be outfitted with tailgating suites that will be utilized on game days. The south side suites will have 16 regular-size tailgating suites and two large tailgating suites and are positioned to have a close-up viewing of the Eagle Walk pre-game. The north side of the structure will have a total of 12 regular-size suites and two large tailgating suites. In an effort to further enhance the fan experience at Paulson Stadium, turnkey tailgating will be introduced on the practice field for the 2023 football season. More details and information on how to purchase a tailgate suite will be coming from the Athletic Foundation. Requests will be filled, in order, based on lifetime giving ranking.
A fully-integrated lightning protection system is being installed in the open-sided facility to afford year-round training. The facility design also allows for natural ventilation.
Cameras will be installed throughout the facility and will comprise a state-of-the-art filming system. Other amenities expected to be included are full protective padding at all interior vertical surfaces for enhanced player safety, restrooms, equipment storage and an audio system.
Additional landscape and pedestrian improvements are planned but the parking lot where construction will be taking place will be off-line this fall.
Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood, Inc. (GMC) is the project architect and supporting the project from both their Atlanta and Savannah offices in Georgia. Brassfield & Gorrie is the general contractor. Other members of the project team include Maxwell-Reddick & Associates civil engineers, Method Engineering Group M/E/P, Tharp Engineering structural engineers and Wood Environmental for geotechnical consulting.
A generous gift from the Anthony P. Tippins Family jump-started the project and the remaining costs will be covered through fundraising and donations.
The University and Department of Athletics will hold a ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m. before the annual Spring Game. Fans are encouraged to attend the event.
If you would like to help support the Anthony P. Tippins Family Indoor Practice Facility, please visit Give.GSEagles.com/IPF to make a donation today! If you would like to talk about giving options, please contact Ben Rodriguez at BenRodriguez@GeorgiaSouthern.edu or 912-601-7892.
For more information on Georgia Southern Athletics, visit GSeagles.com.
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