Latest Look At State's New Indoor
Follow along for the latest ongoing construction updates on the Bulldogs' new indoor facility
Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications
11/18/2022
Nov. 18, 2022 - Exterior Walls
The building has begun taking shape. Exterior walls have started to go up around the facility. Construction crews have also begun preparation for the installation of the roof in the coming weeks.
Nov. 4, 2022 - Signing the Foundation
On their final day of fall full-team workouts, the Bulldogs played their annual Fall World Series. But before they took the field, the 25 student-athletes currently on the roster took a moment to honor more than 200 student-athletes that had come before them.
Alumni's names were randomly divided amongst the players who then took time to write their own names along with the alumni's on the concrete slab in what will become the team meeting room. The foundation of the program literally written into the foundation of the new facility.
“We wanted you guys to write, not only your names down on the foundation, but also the names of those that have come before you. From the seniors who do not get to be in here to the freshmen who will get a couple of years in here, this is about not just you but everybody else on that list - the ones who came before you, the ones who helped build this place, the reason you chose Mississippi State.”Samantha Ricketts
Oct. 11, 2022 - Steel Erected
The outline of the Bulldogs' new indoor facility can now be seen by those passing by on Highway 182. Structural steel was erected this week, providing a framework and preview of what's to come. In the next few weeks, the remaining steel will be installed to prepare for the construction of exterior walls.
Sept. 22, 2022 - Concrete Slab Poured
The first sign of progress is here! The foundation has been poured outside Nusz Park on the Bulldogs' new indoor facility that will house locker rooms, showers, a team lounge, training room and equipment storage along with batting cages and space for the pitchers to throw inside.
July 29, 2022 - Demolition Completed
With the season behind us, construction crews have been hard at work tearing down MSU's existing indoor facility. That work is complete, and the land is cleared for the Bulldogs' new building.
Just look at all that potential. Dream big Bulldogs. Good things are coming soon.
May 25, 2022 - Project Announced
This weekend, Mississippi State softball makes history as it plays in its first-ever NCAA Super Regional. It's evident the Bulldogs have a program on the rise.
They're growing off the field too, as will soon be seen courtesy of a new indoor facility that's about to be under construction.
Starting in June, MSU will begin putting together its 12,000-square foot, $7 million project. The current indoor facility along the left field line of Nusz Park will be torn down, with the new building taking its place.
It's a game-changing development says Mississippi State head softball coach Samantha Ricketts.
"We are thrilled to announce the new facility construction that will help exponentially with our player development, athletic performance and day-to-day operations," Ricketts said. "This is a project that we know will pay dividends in the immediate future of the program. Our student-athletes will have a state-of-the-art facility from locker rooms, a team meeting room, training rooms, as well as the top technologies in our batting cages and pitching lab areas. This will be one of the most elite indoor softball facilities in the country, and we are excited to break ground very soon."
Now, let's take a quick look at what'll soon become the new headquarters for the Bulldogs, starting with the building's exterior:
As impressive as the facility is on the outside, the real value for MSU is on the inside. Here's a glance at a few of those renderings, starting with the team lounge. MSU's locker rooms, previously located under the grandstand at Nusz Park, will be moved into the new building. Of course, there's plenty of space for the Bulldogs to work, too. Other amenities will include showers, a team training room, a team film room and equipment room.
The new construction will also cause a relocation of the Mississippi State bullpen. Now located between Nusz Park and the currently-standing indoor facility, the bullpen will be shifted to a location down the left field line, similar to MSU baseball's bullpen over at Dudy Noble Field.
This project was designed by Dale Partners Architects. ICM is serving as construction manager.
Construction will begin in June. The Bulldogs will play right on through their facility's progress next season with the project's expected completion date in the summer of 2023.