(05-14-2018 01:05 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  RFP are out for the IPF and improvements for fan experience with new video boards, concessions ADA upgrades, which will open up McGuirk for future upgrades.

Reported by Mike Traini on 247sports.

Quote:The University of Massachusetts is taking the next step towards stadium and facilities upgrades at McGuirk Alumni Stadium and Richard F. Garber Field.

According to a request for proposals (RFP) posted on the University of Massachusetts Building Authority web page, the school is looking for proposals to be submitted by the end of May 2018 to construct an indoor practice facility, permanent concession and bathroom options at McGuirk, and new HD video scoreboards at both McGuirk and Garber.

The complete 245-page document, which can be downloaded from the UMBA site via the link above, outlines a plan that would see project construction begun in March of 2019 and completed by June of 2020. There is also a pre-proposal briefing set to be held at the Football Performance Center at 10:00am on Monday, May 14th, 2018.

Per the outlined goals above, which can be found on page 4 of the RFP, the entire project is estimated to have a budget in the range of $10 million.

https://247sports.com/college/massachuse...-118199415

Quote:AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford announced the finalization of a $5.58 million gift commitment by Marty Jacobson '68 to the University of Massachusetts Athletics Department on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. In honor of the tremendous gift, UMass will name its football team facility the 'Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center.'

Jacobson's gift represents a continuation of his staunch support for the University of Massachusetts. The 1968 graduate of the university, along with his brother Richard, previously provided $2.5 million for improvements to McGuirk Alumni Stadium, which funded the construction of the Martin and Richard Jacobson Press and Skybox Complex.

"I felt compelled to make this gift that allows Ryan Bamford and the athletics department to make several infrastructure improvements that will benefit our student-athletes and fans," said Jacobson. "We are in the midst of a renaissance and I hope this is a catalyst which continues that momentum. I'm excited about moving McGuirk Stadium into a modern era with some of the planned amenities and believe that the seasonal bubble will allow our student-athletes to train at a higher level than ever before."

"We are deeply appreciative of this extraordinary gift by Marty Jacobson, which will benefit both our student-athletes and greatly improve the fan experience at McGuirk Alumni Stadium," said Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. "His continued and deeply generous support is truly a game changer for UMass Amherst."

The latest financial gift from Jacobson will fund experiential improvements to McGuirk Alumni Stadium for the University of Massachusetts community, current and future student-athletes and fans alike. The $5.58 million pledge provides the support necessary to design and construct a seasonal air-supported indoor structure at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, while his gift will also contribute to a high-definition scoreboard at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, among other planned fan experience facility improvements.

"The support Marty has provided the University of Massachusetts is truly transformational," said Bamford. "We are so thankful for his generosity and appreciative of his leadership in moving our athletics department forward through facility improvements that will benefit our sport programs and the University at large. We are extremely proud to name our outstanding football building the Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center."

The seasonal air-supported structure will directly benefit all University of Massachusetts student-athletes and will provide an indoor training space during the winter months when outdoor facilities are unavailable. The facility will also be available to the larger university community for selected special events.

"Marty Jacobson is a strong supporter of our athletics department and the football team in particular," said football head coach Mark Whipple. "His contributions to UMass football, including the donations he and his brother Richard previously made for the press and skybox complex, are paramount to our continued growth as a FBS program."

Construction will begin at the conclusion of the 2018 football season, and a formal timeline for completion will be established as the final scope for all the improvements within the project are determined.

Those who wish to support and celebrate the success of student-athletes at the University of Massachusetts are invited to join the Minutemen Club. For more information on this project or how to become a member of the Minutemen Club, please call 413-545-4290.