COVID-19 will not keep construction from starting on the new Montana State University Athletic Complex. Construction is expected to begin in the next few weeks. The $18 million addition will add new football program offices and facilities to the north end of Bobcat Stadium.

The 40,000-square-foot facility, expected to open in August 2021, is the result of the largest fundraising campaign in Bobcat Athletics history, said Chris Murray, president and CEO of the MSU Alumni Foundation. More than 500 donors contributed to the project, raising the needed funds in just two years.

“The success of this project is truly a testament to our Bobcat family of fans and friends,” Murray said. “We can’t thank them enough for supporting our student-athletes.”

MSU President Waded Cruzado says about the project, “We’ve been able to do truly remarkable things for our student-athletes thanks to alumni and friends who believe in a brighter future for the next generation,” Cruzado said. “The Bobcat hearts of our donors are in the right place. We owe them many thanks.”

The two-story building will house football locker rooms, team rooms, equipment storage and offices for coaches, as well as sports medicine, training and rehabilitation spaces that will help all student-athletes. It will be designed by A&E Architects of Bozeman and Crawford Architects of Kansas City, Missouri. Martel Construction will be general contractor.

“This facility reflects the mission of Bobcat Athletics to develop excellence in the classroom and competition, as well as support the holistic approach to student-athlete well-being,” said Leon Costello, MSU athletics director. “The BAC mirrors the facility growth on the MSU campus and growth within Bobcat Athletics. It will also be a great welcome center to the south end of the MSU campus.”

By moving football facilities to Bobcat Stadium it will free up room for other student-athletes in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

“Right now, space for academic support is at a premium in the fieldhouse,” Costello said. “The expanded support spaces will ensure that all Bobcat student-athletes have the resources they need to excel in the classroom.”

Bobcat head football coach Jeff Choate said it’s humbling to reflect on the level of support that the MSU community has shown.

“In just a few years, we’ve been able to do something that people have been talking about doing for 25 years. That’s thanks to our campus leadership and generous donors,” Choate said. “It’s a strong reminder that, as advanced as the Bobcat Athletic Complex will be, it’s people that make the transformational power of college athletics a reality.”

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