Mark Richt donating $1 million toward Hurricanes indoor practice facility
Stephen Ross isn’t the only South Florida sports figure digging into his own pocket for football construction projects.
Mark Richt told boosters in Chicago last week he was donating $1 million of his own money to fund Miami’s indoor practice facility, several sources who were at the event told the Post. Richt’s comments were first reported by Canesport.
UM Athletics Director Blake James told the Post that Richt’s gift had not been finalized and he would not confirm the amount. Plans are on paper for the facility — and have been shown to prospective donors and recruits — but aren’t ready for public view.
Building an indoor practice facility is the No. 1 priority for UM athletics, and was even before Richt took over as football coach Dec. 4. Especially after UM’s rain-soaked Pro Day on March 31, the project has been a focus of Richt’s spring speaking tour, with UM hoping to secure the high-dollar donations it takes to start construction.
UM is one of the only Power 5 programs without shelter from the elements. It has plans to build a facility that houses its entire football footprint and covers one of the existing practice fields. UM hopes to announce plans in the coming weeks for a project that will cost more than $25 million — Canesport reported approximately $27 million — and be completed in the next two seasons.
