Aztec Athletic Center Now A Reality
Sept. 26, 2001 If space truly is the final frontier...consider it conquered. In the long, successful history of San Diego State athletics, space and facilities have always been an issue. Where to practice, where to play, and at times, even where to dress. Deep in the athletic department archives is a faded photo of a former Aztec football coach watching film with his players...on a shower wall. At long last, those problems are solved as the new Aztec Athletics Center looms on the western edge of campus. And with the opening of the new showplace comes numerous opportunities for the advancement of the department's operations. "There is really no way to know what might have happened, but I give the Moores family credit for saving Division I athletics at San Diego State," said executive director of athletics and special assistant to the president Rick Bay. "And all he has ever really wanted in return is for us to make it work here." The names of the Padres owners will not adorn the new athletic complex, at the request of John Moores. Instead the naming rights to the facility itself, as well as many features within the building, will be addressed in a new campaign the department has launched. "The most important thing about the naming campaign is that it gives San Diego State, for the first time in its history, a chance to create long-term financial stability by establishing a scholarship endowment," said Joe Moeller, SDSU's associate athletic director for development. The showpiece of the new facility will be the new Wise Hall of Fame, located on the first floor of the center. "Dennis Wise and Joan McFarland made a generous gift for the Hall of Fame and that area of the building will be the showcase for the entire complex," Moeller said. "In addition, I am confident we will have other friends of the Aztecs stepping forward to be part of this unique effort in the next year." Overall, San Diego State could realize up to $10 million in naming rights. That money would establish an endowment for SDSU athletics and interest earned used for scholarships. "It would be significant to our program because we are not paying for the physical plant," added Moeller. "Thanks to John and Becky Moores, we are not carrying a facility debt. He asked us to take his generosity and make ourselves better. "Every year we have a $3 million scholarship problem and we don't want that number to be $6 million in six years. An endowment allows us to get a handle on the problem with the intent to eliminate it." The new center itself is eye-catching. The first floor includes an impressive lobby area, the Wise Foundation Hall of Fame, a state-of-the-art weight room, a technologically advanced video suite, a massive center of athletic medicine, equipment room, and expansive locker rooms for each head sport. There is also an auditorium for special events, news conferences and celebrations. The second floor will house all facets of football operations, including a recruiting lounge, meeting rooms and offices. The third floor is home to men's and women's basketball, administrative offices and the academic center. The fourth floor will include more administration as well offices for head coaches and their staffs. The Aztec Athletic Center is not the final piece in the SDSU facility puzzle. Up next is the new softball and tennis complex. Those facilities will just add to San Diego State's conquered final frontier. For more information on naming rights, contact Joe Moeller at 619-594-5162. Aztec Athletics Center Naming OpportunitiesFacility Naming Right - $5,000,000Football Locker Room - $1,000,000Aztec Weight Room - $1,000,000Aztec Learning Center - $1,000,000Football Suite - $750,000Men's Basketball Suite - $500,000Aztec Auditorium - $500,000Student-Athlete Computer Lab - $250,000Athletic Director's Office - $100,000Various Coaches and Team Rooms - $50,000-$100,000 |
