David McKinney/University Relations
Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director, points out features of the weight room during a tour of the new Anderson Family Football Complex.
New football complex balances technology, KU sports tradition
The silhouette of Gale Sayers, one of the greatest Jayhawks to ever grace the gridiron, is a fitting first site for visitors to the new Anderson Family Football Complex, a state-of-the-art center that pays homage to the past.
The recently opened facility sits just south of Memorial Stadium, nestled into the hill below the Memorial Campanile. It puts KU on par with the top football programs in the nation in terms of facilities.
Just inside the main entrance, a ring hangs from the ceiling bearing the names of KU's football greats who are emblazoned in Memorial Stadium's Ring of Honor. The Jayhawks' 2007 Orange Bowl trophy is displayed in a case next to the ring, and display cases feature memorabilia from all of KU's bowl appearances. A "recruiting room" sits in the northeast corner of the top floor, with a view into the stadium. Inside, plaques of all of KU's All-Americans hang on the wall. The room, which will host recruits and their families, also features a pair of drop-down projectors and the exterior wall holds plaques representing all 32 NFL teams and the names of former Jayhawks who have populated their rosters.
Although the past is revered in the facility, there is an eye toward the future. Cutting edge technology, including flat screen TVs are in all "position rooms," which will facilitate meetings for each of the team's specific positions. The George Mrkonic Auditorium, the site of football press conferences, has a pair of overhead projectors that can be used for team meetings and media events. The auditorium and position rooms also have removable walls that can convert one room into two to accommodate smaller meetings.
Nowhere is technology's impact on the sport more evident than in the video room. Video shot on the practice field can be streamed directly into the room before the team even leaves the field. Dozens of TV screens and computers allow coaches to review game footage and share it with their opponents. The film room's equipment also can stream video to any other office in the building.
Coaches' offices round out the top floor. Head coach Mark Mangino's office overlooks the stadium and two new practice fields.
"We think this office is one of the best on campus," said Jim Marchiony, associate athletic director, of the spacious room with a 50-inch television. "It certainly has one of the best views."
While the mental work happens on the top floor, the sweat is spilled on the lower level. A weight room complete with brand-new equipment is large enough to accommodate the entire team. The room also contains a small field, complete with artificial turf. Hydrotherapy pools in an adjacent training room allow players to rehabilitate injuries by running or swimming against a current. Dozens of training tables, hot tubs and rehabilitation devices line the room as well.
A KU great graces the outside of the building, but a great KU tradition is one of the first sights inside. Near the main staircase, a larger than life photo of students waving the wheat stretches nearly 20 feet from ceiling to floor.
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