SSOE is a Toledo-based firm that previously has worked on many projects on UT’s campus, including the Larimer Building and the Glass Bowl renovation in the early 1990’s. Ellerbe Becket, out of Kansas City, has designed numerous professional and college athletic facilities throughout the country, including Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
“SSOE and Ellerbe Becket both have proven track records on numerous projects throughout the country,” said UT Athletic Director Mike O’Brien. “We are extremely pleased to have both firms working with us to achieve our goal of creating a premier environment for our student-athletes. When our project is completed, I believe we will have the finest athletic complex in the Mid-American Conference.”
Tony Damon, CEO of SSOE expressed his company’s commitment to the project and his excitement for so many of the UT graduates at SSOE to be active in a noteworthy project for the future of their alma mater. Chris Ewald is SSOE’s project manager and looks forward to working with the Athletics and Facilities teams at UT, as well as bringing the combined expertise of SSOE and Ellerbe Becket to the facility. “Our entire team is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of redeveloping a University and community landmark,” said Ewald.
Ellerbe Becket design principal Jon Niemuth echoed Ewald’s comments. “We’re excited to be working with the University of Toledo,” said Niemuth. “The buildings we design are uniquely valuable, helping universities grow and sustain their athletic programs.”
The design teams from SSOE and Ellerbe Becket are currently working on drafts of the project. Designs for Savage Hall and the new indoor practice facility will be unveiled later this year. In the meantime, immediate work on the infrastructure of Savage Hall will be underway very soon.
The Athletics Complex project will be funded in part by private donations. The largest donation in the campaign thus far is $5 million lead gift from Chuck and Jackie Sullivan, which is also the largest single gift ever made to the UT Athletic Department.
When completed, the new Athletics Complex will include:
- A new addition to Savage Hall. The addition will include a brick and glass building that will be connected to Savage Hall on the north and east sides. Features of this building likely will include: new locker rooms, a new weight room, a new training room, a pro shop, a Hall of Fame area, a new ticket office, as well as new coaches and administrative offices.
- A complete renovation of the Savage Hall basketball arena. Features will include: new spectator seating, luxury suites, a renovated Grogan Room and a state-of-art video scoreboard and sound system.
- An indoor practice facility for football and other sports that will be built between Savage Hall and the UT Track.
Savage Hall, formerly Centennial Hall, opened in 1976. In July of 1988, the University of Toledo Board of Trustees voted to rename building John F. Savage Hall. Savage, a 1952 UT graduate, was instrumental in the campaign to raise funds for the arena, as well as the Glass Bowl Renovation Project. He died in 1993.
An innovator since its founding in 1909, Ellerbe Becket is a leader in architecture, engineering, interiors and the construction industry, with office locations worldwide. For more information on the Toledo project, please go to www.utrockets.com.
Contact:
Paul Helgren, 1-419-530-4918
