Cole Field House reimagined The future of research, entrepreneurship and athletics at the university

COLLEGE PARK, M.D. — Once the home of Terrapins basketball and host of

two NCAA Final Four tournaments, Cole Field House will transform into a cutting-edge

academic, athletic and research facility for the university.

The $155 million project will include a full-sized football field, entrepreneurship

center and sports medicine research center.

Kevin Plank, founder and CEO of Under Armour and university alumnus,

pledged a significant portion with a $25 million gift in support of the expansion and

renovation of Cole Field House.

“This project brings together two of my favorite

passions, Maryland athletics and entrepreneurship,” Plank

said. “The lessons I learned on the football field in College

Park continue to fuel my entrepreneurial spirit and shape my

professional approach. By fostering a generation of

entrepreneurial-minded young adults, we are preparing our

students not just for the next four years, but for many years to come.”

The remaining $130 million stem from a combination of private donations,

support from the state of Maryland and a portion of Big Ten revenue.

A vision of innovation

University officials believe that the renovation will put the university one step

closer to becoming an all around powerhouse, and a key member of the Big Ten.

Kevin Plank’s portrait displayed on Cole’s official website(http://colefieldhouse.umd.edu/)

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“This is a transformative project because it brings together academics, research

and athletics in ways that’s never been done before, at least not on this campus,”

university President Wallace Loh told The Diamondback.

The new Cole is set to begin construction in December 2015.

Short-term pain for long-term gain

With tremendous innovations set for the future

of the university, grows short-term concerns for current

students on the effects of the remodeling on the

community.

“The new facilities will of course improve our athletic and academic reputation,

but the constant construction on campus is disrupting campus life now,” junior business

major Joanna Miller said.

While the amenities of Cole will be accessible to all students and serve as a hub to

promote entrepreneurship studies, the scheduled renovations will displace many campus

groups like intramural sports teams from their usual meeting space.

“I’m excited for the future of this campus, and I understand that innovation is a

process and doesn’t happen overnight. I think the new Cole is going to benefit the

university as a whole,” said Andrea Holtermann, junior business major.

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The new facility will include a full-sized football field