By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
In what is being hailed as a game-changer for the program, Kentucky unveiled its new $45 million football training facility this week.
The new facility, adjacent to Nutter Fieldhouse and Commonwealth Stadium, puts the Wildcats on par with other football teams in the Southeastern Conference and gives the team a competitive edge on and off the field.
The lobby to Kentucky’s new training facility is a hit for players, coaches and administrators (Keith Taylor Photo)
“I think we all feel very proud and very happy for the players because they’ve been through a lot and they’ve worked hard,” Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops said. “They’re good kids and we promised them that, a lot of them, when we were recruiting them and to see it come to fruition and get in there, it’s surreal, to be honest with you. To get this building done, it’s going to help Kentucky football for a long time.”
The administration, players and staff received a tour of the 100,000 square foot facility Thursday and media members got a glimpse Friday. In addition to the new outdoor practice fields, the facility includes new coaches offices, locker rooms, team meeting rooms, updated hydrotherapy pools, Gatorade station, dining area, equipment room, barber shop and ventilated personal lockers. The weight room takes up 15,000 square foot of space on the first floor.
“The kids say, ‘wow’ every time they walk into the building,” Kentucky recruiting coordinator Dan Berezowitz said Friday. “This is first class. Everything (we’ve done) has been top of the line and it’s built to last. We’re at the top of technology with this building.”
The weight room takes up 15,000 square feet in UK’s new training facility (Keith Taylor Photo)
The administration, players and coaches received a tour of the new facility Thursday and came away impressed with the football program’s newest addition.
“The completion of this facility is an important moment for our football program,” Barnhart said. “It creates a one-stop shop for our players, putting everything they need to prepare for success on game day and in the classroom in one beautiful building. We believe Kentucky football can compete for championships in the Southeastern Conference. This facility provides important resources that will help us realize that potential.”
Like Barnhart, Kentucky co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw, who has previously coached at Tennessee, also liked the finished product.
“Our new facility is amazing,” Hinshaw said. “Our players were blown away (Thursday).”
Past Kentucky greats are honored inside the facility a statue honoring the four players who broke the Southeastern Conference’s color barrier – Nate Northington, Greg Page, Wilbur Hackett and Houston Hogg – will be located outside the building’s main entrance.
The Wildcats report for camp in less than two weeks and quarterback Drew Barker is eager to begin fall workouts.
“This has been really cool checking out the new facility,” Barker said via a school video. “It’s awesome. We can’t wait to get in and start working on Aug. 4. It (was) a great experience (touring the training facility). I can’t wait for everyone to see it and I’m just ready for the season.”
Keith Taylor is a senior sports writer for KyForward, where he primarily covers University of Kentucky sports. Reach him at keith.taylor@kyforward.com or @keithtaylor21 on Twitter
Entrance to UK’s new locker room in the training facility (Keith Taylor Photo)
