The University’s Board of Regents approved a pair of significant athletic projects on Thursday, including the schematic design for a renovation of Schembechler Hall and the construction of a marquee to be located inside Gate 2 of the Michigan Stadium.
- Courtesy of Michigan Athletic Department
“These projects are designed to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience in an innovative way,” Athletic Director Dave Brandon said in a press release. “The marquee will provide a new avenue for our department to communicate with our fans, and the Schembechler Hall renovations will present an opportunity to better celebrate our rich football tradition.
“We will create a grand entrance to the facility that announces you’ve arrived at the home of Michigan football.”
The $9 million renovation project of Schembechler Hall will feature an exterior facelift to match the football program’s headquarters to the two neighboring buildings — Glick Field House and Yost Ice Arena, which is currently under renovations itself.
“The entry will be a grand entry in terms of space,” Brandon said at Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting. “The (football) museum itself … has been very carefully choreographed … to have an exciting environment (and) destination on campus that pays homage to the team and tradition and history and is really set up as an interesting space … for anyone who’s coming here that’s interested or has a connection with Michigan football.”
The project will add approximately 7,000 square feet to Schembechler Hall. The schematic design for the interior plans for a renovation of the Michigan football museum room, the media room and the Michigan Football Legends area on the first floor, and renovations of a recruiting lounge, office and exhibit space on the second floor.
The $2.8 million marquee project will bring a 27-feet high by 48-feet wide marquee screen to Gate 2 at Michigan Stadium. The screen will also have a row of speakers at the bottom of the board.
The two-sided marquee will be visible to traffic going either way on Stadium Blvd. and will stand 21 feet above grade.
“The marquee will be used to welcome guests to events at both Michigan Stadium and Crisler Center,” the Athletic Department’s statement read. “In addition, the marquee will promote upcoming athletic events, highlight team and student-athlete achievements, and promote other department initiatives. It will have both video and audio capabilities.”
There are no plans to allow paid advertising to appear on the marquee, according to the release.
— This is a developing story. Stay tuned to michigandaily.com for more updates.