FORT COLLINS — A $1.5 million naming rights gift for the new academic/training center and $250,000 start-up money for the long overdue indoor practice facility were announced Wednesday by Colorado State athletic director Paul Kowalczyk.
There is no firm timeline for the project, although Kowalczyk said he hopes to break ground before the end of the school year. He anticipates a 12-18 month completion target and hopes the projects go up simultaneously.
CSU’s board of governors approved a $20 million bond issue for the projects last spring. Kowalczyk was charged with raising the funds to pay back the bonds.
The two-story strength and conditioning and academic center will be named the Anderson Academic Center to honor donors Brett and Danette Anderson, both 1987 CSU graduates.
“They are passionate, passionate supporters,” Kowalczyk said. “If you talk to anyone in the business community in Denver, that would be the first names that come out of their mouths. They decided they wanted to help out athletics. They have and will continue to support other areas in the institution.”
Markley Motors, a longtime Fort Collins-based car dealership, earmarked $250,000 for the indoor practice facility.
The academic center will be south of Moby Arena and the practice facility will be east of the current practice area.
The department still has to raise more than $18 million to retire the bonds, but Kowalczyk said there is no immediate deadline. “This gives us a nice jump start,” he said. “This is a unique opportunity to help make a difference to contribute to something that’s very special. … This is a difference-maker for us.”
Farris out. Although medical privacy guidelines prevented him from revealing the MRI report on backup quarterback Billy Farris’ elbow injury, CSU coach Sonny Lubick said he expected Farris to be out the remainder of the season. He said it would be hard to assess new backup Grant Stucker, a sophomore who has not had much work in practice.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
