Messages

5896

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Work gets started on YSU’s WATTS Center

« on: May 26, 2010, 10:12:54 AM »

Fan,

What's the latest from your "insiders" on this facility?  Nothing has happened at the site for over 3 weeks now.

You know, I have not heard anything. That is probably good. My best two sources are a secretary and a receptionist in that area. So if something was wrong, they would have said something. So I would tend to agree with EL's source.

I am interested in that heating EL. I wonder if we can get more info on that?

5897

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Work gets started on YSU’s WATTS Center

« on: April 19, 2010, 05:06:40 PM »

Yes, it is a great idea 4. I emailed someone that I know, & she suggested that I email the webmaster. However, they did say that the cam is over at the Williamson site. I am sure they have had more than one in the past.

I wish they would set the cam up for summer camp as well.

5898

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Work gets started on YSU’s WATTS Center

« on: April 15, 2010, 02:14:53 PM »

I agree with IP. YSU has a baseball stadium that is 'tops' in the league ...that is why we need to keep it in use.

5899

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Work gets started on YSU’s WATTS Center

« on: April 13, 2010, 11:10:10 AM »

I thought the WATTS Center was going to be built across 5th Ave. from the stadium.  So I guess YSU will no longer have an outdoor track?

I have been trying to get an answer for that question for months now. I will let you know what I find.

5900

YSU Penguin Athletics / Work gets started on YSU’s WATTS Center

« on: April 13, 2010, 06:26:20 AM »

Work gets started on YSU’s WATTS Center

By Joe Scalzo

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University began preparing for the WATTS Center, background, on Monday. The university hopes to have the facility completed by the end of this year.

Youngstown State University got started on its groundbreaking new indoor facility Monday, even if the official groundbreaking is at least a few weeks away.

Construction began on the $10 million WATTS (Watson and Tressel Indoor Training Site) Center, which will be built on the site of YSU’s outdoor track.

University officials hope the facility will be finished by the end of the year. The 125,000-square foot building will have a football field, a track, batting cages, training rooms and offices.

“The joke was that the facility would have something for every team but swimming,” said Matt Morrone, YSU’s athletic business manager. “But even they can use it to run in the offseason.”

The school has secured about half the funding for the project, Morrone said. The first $1 million was donated in 2007 by former YSU football coach Jim Tressel, his wife Ellen and Frank and Norma Watson.

“Obviously if anyone is still willing to give, we’re more than willing to accept,” Morrone said, chuckling.

YSU will be the first school in the Horizon League with an indoor facility, which will allow the Penguins to host the indoor conference track and field meet, as well as area high school indoor meets. It will also be a big tool in recruiting, Morrone said.

And while the WATTS is closely associated with football, the facility will be available for regular students and faculty, too.

“It’s really great for the whole university, not just athletics,” Morrone said.

YSU plans to hold the official groundbreaking at a later date. The school wants Tressel to attend but the Ohio State football coach is currently unavailable due to the Buckeyes’ spring practice.