Now released 3 years ago, it'll be interesting to see what W&M's new AD (Samantha Huge) will prioritize. Obviously, it'll come down to time and money, but we're excited! From an entirely new (or entirely renovated) Kaplan Arena to new recruiting standards for student athletes, these are wholesale, fundamental changes to the way our athletics program is run.

Check out the below for a refresher on what's in the 10 year plan, now that we're 3 years removed from the memo's release.

LET'S GO TRIBE.


Article: https://wmsportsblog.com/2018/06/15/trib...-years-in/

Very good and timely review article.

Samantha is very progressive and really wants to get things done.

Some comments:
*The construction of a basketball practice/support facility will require a major donor...it will never get built from general college funds, athletics regular income, or state funds grant. They've been looking for this wealthy donor or donors for a couple of years now. One big question is where such a facility would be located...parking is tough enough at W&M and the Williamsburg environs: where would it be located to provide parking and not eliminate current parking faci;ities which are limited to start with.

*Kaplan Arena will eventually have a major reconstruction to downsize the seating capacity, add some student seating behind the visitors bench end of the arena, and construct luxury box facilities for major contributors and corporate sponsors. There will not be a new arena. There is some possibility college and/or state supported funds might be added to the reconstruction pot as Kaplan is used for special college convocations, high school graduations and, perhaps, concerts and the like.

*Swimming facility would not just be used for our swim teams but as a modern facility for the student body...some of the current college facilities date back to the Fifties and are totally inadequate for a much larger. This may someday lead to its construction being included in the general construction funds
given by the state.

*Scholarship funding is pretty much at its maximum level right now...another 30-40 scholarships to bring it up to par would be difficult barring emergence of a major donor/donors. Perhaps after the conclusion of the current billion dollar "For The Bold" effort in 2020 a justification might be made to use some of the funding for the extra scholarships since most of the money is to go to student scholarship support.
Of course, the dropping of a couple of sports teams would provide instantly extra scholarship dollars,
but the chances of that, at least right, now, appear dim.

*I believe Samantha will significantly enhance the W&M game experience for football and basketball
in the near future. The Sunken Garden for football tailgating, a beer garden, and upgraded transportation
for spectators who can't park are in the plans. There will also be a major effort to inculcate students about the sports programs upon matriculation and throughout their years at the College.
student body.

Parking won't be a problem if a parking garage is built somewhere near Kaplan. Build five or six levels to hold about 2500 cars.

It's tough enough to get funds for the redoing of Kaplan, a swim facility, and a\the basketball building...
imagine the cost of a six story parking garage and the land and roads that would entail. Where would you build it anyway...halfway to Newtown?

Put it on the current Kaplan surface lot. They are assembled in pieces delivered on flat bed trucks and hoisted into place once the base/foundation is excavated and set. Pretty interesting process.

Charge for parking for both events and by the hour during the day. It will pay for itself over time.

Then where would you put the Basketball building and perhaps the natatorium? Certainly the basketball building has to go near Kaplan on the available parking lots.

(06-15-2018 05:51 AM)bubbadog57 Wrote:  Very good and timely review article.

Samantha is very progressive and really wants to get things done.

Some comments:
*The construction of a basketball practice/support facility will require a major donor...it will never get built from general college funds, athletics regular income, or state funds grant. They've been looking for this wealthy donor or donors for a couple of years now. One big question is where such a facility would be located...parking is tough enough at W&M and the Williamsburg environs: where would it be located to provide parking and not eliminate current parking faci;ities which are limited to start with.

*Kaplan Arena will eventually have a major reconstruction to downsize the seating capacity, add some student seating behind the visitors bench end of the arena, and construct luxury box facilities for major contributors and corporate sponsors. There will not be a new arena. There is some possibility college and/or state supported funds might be added to the reconstruction pot as Kaplan is used for special college convocations, high school graduations and, perhaps, concerts and the like.

*Swimming facility would not just be used for our swim teams but as a modern facility for the student body...some of the current college facilities date back to the Fifties and are totally inadequate for a much larger. This may someday lead to its construction being included in the general construction funds
given by the state.

*Scholarship funding is pretty much at its maximum level right now...another 30-40 scholarships to bring it up to par would be difficult barring emergence of a major donor/donors. Perhaps after the conclusion of the current billion dollar "For The Bold" effort in 2020 a justification might be made to use some of the funding for the extra scholarships since most of the money is to go to student scholarship support.
Of course, the dropping of a couple of sports teams would provide instantly extra scholarship dollars,
but the chances of that, at least right, now, appear dim.

*I believe Samantha will significantly enhance the W&M game experience for football and basketball
in the near future. The Sunken Garden for football tailgating, a beer garden, and upgraded transportation
for spectators who can't park are in the plans. There will also be a major effort to inculcate students about the sports programs upon matriculation and throughout their years at the College.
student body.

Interesting comments -- how are you able to make the claim that Kaplan will be renovated, with specific comments about box seating? This is definitely something I'd be on board with, akin to the Richmond renovation. Just wondering how you're able to say this so definitively state this at this point in time.

Re the reconstruction of Kaplan I, of course, am not certain this will be a final decision whenever it occurs. I am basing my belief this will happen, however, on conversations with several athletic department
individuals and, as well, with very high W&M administration people.

When it occurs, of course, is wholly dependent on funding.

(06-17-2018 05:22 AM)bubbadog57 Wrote:  Re the reconstruction of Kaplan I, of course, am not certain this will be a final decision whenever it occurs. I am basing my belief this will happen, however, on conversations with several athletic department
individuals and, as well, with very high W&M administration people.

When it occurs, of course, is wholly dependent on funding.

Any information on when Pictor Group reports its findings and anticipated impact of findings on ten year plan?

UVA has substandard facilities? Their 10 year plan shows how far the gap has widened.

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/u...e9e1c.html