AUBURN, Ala. – Flanked by Auburn University president Dr. Jay Gogue to his left and standout linebacker Owen Pappoe to his right, director of athletics Allen Greene shoveled ceremonial dirt Saturday at the dedication of Auburn's $92 million Football Performance Center, the largest athletics project in Auburn history.
The facility, built on 12 acres at the former location of Auburn's track, has been under construction for several months and is scheduled to be completed late in 2022.
"It truly is the gold standard," said Greene, noting the center's features including a weight room, indoor and outdoor practice fields, an equipment lab, a hydrotherapy pool, a player's locker room and lounge and a teaching lab adjacent to meeting rooms. "I can guarantee you our coaches thought this was awesome. That's something we can hang our hats on as an innovation aspect of this facility. We know that the impact is incredibly large."
Greene thanked Auburn's administration and trustees and the Tigers Unlimited donors who have given more than $40 million so far to fund the project.
"Continue building relationships and we'll continue building projects," said Greene, thanking the Tigers Unlimited staff while noting that 43 families have given more than $100,000 including 10 donors who have pledged at least $500,000.Linebacker Owen Pappoe represented the Auburn football team at the dedication
Representing his teammates, Pappoe said the facility will benefit Auburn in recruiting.
"When I chose to come to Auburn it was because the people here in the university are elite," Pappoe said. "We all want to be the best in the nation. Being a five-star recruit in high school, I've been everywhere around the country.
"From what I've seen, there hasn't been anything like this. On behalf of the football program, we want to say thank you to all the donors and everybody who had a part in making this happen."
Calling it a "great day in the life of Auburn University," Gogue said the Football Performance Center aligns with Auburn University's commitment to provide first-class facilities in every aspect of campus life.
"The feel is the same, but the facilities really pop," said Gogue who tried out for the basketball team as an Auburn freshman walk-on in 1965. "I really want to thank our Board of Trustees. It's tough in an academic institution to always get everyone to agree that we want to invest this level of money to support our athletic program. I'm excited about today and proud of each one of you and the contributions you make to Auburn University."
Auburn-based Rabren General Contractors is overseeing construction under the direction of lead superintendent Billy Runnels, a 2005 Auburn University graduate.
"The key is planning," said Runnels, noting the construction team will pour 13,000 cubic yards of concrete. "And getting the most out of our crew and who we have on the job. It will take everybody to finish this one."
Relaying priorities from Auburn's football coaching staff and the University working group that recommended its construction, Greene shared Auburn's vision for the facility.
"We need the student-athletes to feel like this is their home," Greene said. "You don't win in this league without recruiting and this facility is going to help us do that.
"The fact that we have such a beautiful campus, that we have such beautiful people, and we have such an investment in football, sends a signal.
"We're going to win championships. Coach Harsin is going to win championships, and this facility speaks to that."Director of Athletics Allen Greene thanks supporters of Auburn's Football Performance Center
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer