New strength and conditioning center set to open

The Anderson Family Strength and Conditioning Center, a new state-of-the-art facility for Kansas Athletics, will welcome student-athletes for training at the end of March.

The $8 million, 42,000-square-foot center is on the northwest corner of Anschutz Pavilion. Designed by HOK Sport+Venue+Event architects in Kansas City, Mo., and built by Turner Construction, it replaces the 5,000-square-foot Shaffer-Holland Strength Center.
Los Angeles residents Dana and Sue Anderson pledged $4 million to the Kansas University Endowment Association on behalf of their family, including their four children, for the new strength and conditioning center.

"This is an exciting time that represents a large leap forward in the quality of the facilities KU provides for all of its student-athletes," athletics director Al Bohl said. "KU students, alumni and friends will be able to take tremendous pride in one of the premier strength and conditioning centers in the Big 12 Conference. The members of the Anderson family are among our most outstanding supporters, and we appreciate their vision for KU athletic programs."

Football coach Mark Mangino has called it "one of a kind" and believes the facility will help in recruiting and conditioning.

Mangino's players will begin working out in the facility March 24, after they return from spring break. Chris Dawson, KU's new strength and conditioning coach, will lead them.

Dawson said the new facility played a major role in his decision to come to Kansas.

"There were a lot of different variables, but that was definitely one of them," he said. "Most people in their careers never have an opportunity to move into a new facility like this."

Spring football begins

The Kansas football team has set dates for spring practice, including five practices that are open to the public and media.

The Jayhawks will open spring practice on Monday, March 10, and conclude spring drills with the annual Spring Game at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, in Memorial Stadium. All practices, with the exception of the spring game, will be held on the KU practice fields behind Anschutz Pavilion.

The five dates open to the public and media include March 10, 12 and 28 and April 2 and 12.

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