University of Florida selects industry leader HOK to design stand-alone football complex

The University of Florida has selected HOK to design a new three-story, 130,000-sq.-ft. football operations project and a dining hall for all of the university’s student-athletes, it was announced on February 22. The facility will be located adjacent to the existing Sanders Football Practice Fields, creating a hub of activity for student-athletes.

“This football operations project will have a significant impact on the daily experience of our student-athletes and staff,” said Scott Stricklin, the University of Florida’s athletics director. “It represents a substantial commitment on behalf of Florida Athletics and Gator Boosters to ensure that our football coaches, players and staff are able to perform as efficiently as possible. And the new dining hall will benefit all 500 of our student-athletes.”

“The University of Florida has a long history of developing champions,” said Algen Williams, a regional leader of HOK’s Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice. “This project will create a facility that supports the university’s mission of forming well-rounded student-athletes. We look forward to using design to help tell the story and define the future of the Gators’ celebrated football program.”

The new training facility will consolidate the program’s football operations. Offices for coaches and staff will be relocated to the building, where players will have direct access to them. The site also provides easy access to the team’s practice fields.

A branded entry lobby will reinforce the Gators’ brand and winning legacy and serve as a focal point for the building. The project includes a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center that includes a “cardio balcony,” training room, hydrotherapy space and an immersive, 3D hologram training environment. A players’ lounge is adjacent to the team locker room, creating a space for student-athletes to unwind off the field with a nutrition bar, casual meeting spaces and games. The facility will also include a recruiting room.

The project is scheduled to break ground in late December 2017, with an expected opening in 2019.

HOK is among the loyal supporters of Coliseum Summit. The firm will provide more details of the project at Coliseum Summit AMERICAS, April 19-20, 2017 at Las Vegas, Nevada.

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