Jacksonville State football announced the building of a new indoor practice facility Tuesday.
The Gamecocks‘ new facility is headlined by a 84,282 square-foot practice facility that will have a full-length turf practice field with goal post and a viewing platform. The facility will also be climate controlled.
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The facility will also have a 11,424-square-foot performance area with a weight room and cardio training area. The building was spurred by a $10 million gift from Ken and Jenny Howell, who the facility will be named for.
“This gift is truly transformational for Jax State Athletics,” Jax State Athletics Director Greg Seitz said in a release. “The Ken and Jenny Howell Football Indoor Practice Facility will provide our student-athletes with a first-class training environment and demonstrate, in a very tangible way, the level of support behind our programs. Ken and Jenny’s generosity elevates what we are able to offer and strengthens our ability to compete at the highest level.”
The new indoor facility is the latest improvement for the Jax State football program, which opened a new football only facility ahead of the 2024 season along the west end zone of AmFirst Stadium. The stadium, which was given naming rights for the first time in 2024, also underwent upgrades including more suites in the football facility and on the north stands.
Based on renderings posted by Jax State on social media, the facility will be west of AmFirst Stadium at the corner of Mountain Street and Forney Ave. It will be next to the football only facility.
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“This facility will make an immediate difference for our football program,” football coach Charles Kelly said in the release. “Having an indoor practice space allows us to train consistently, develop our players more effectively, and prepare the right way regardless of the weather. More importantly, it shows our student-athletes that they are supported and believed in.”
The Gamecocks are entering year four of its FBS era after making a bowl game in the first three seasons. They are coming off a Salute to Veterans Bowl win over in-state rival Troy and a 9-5 record in Kelly’s first season.
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Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports, Jax State athletics, the outdoors in Alabama and more for the Gadsden Times and USA TODAY Network. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Jacksonville State football to build new indoor practice facility