The Nevada athletics department is finalizing plans for the upcoming $11.5 million renovation of Mackay Stadium.
The project, which was approved by the state Board of Regents in December, began this spring with the construction of a two-story, 2,800-square-foot restroom facility that is expected to be done in time for the Sept. 3 season opener against UC Davis. The bulk of the stadium renovation will begin after this season and will be completed prior to the 2016 season.
The renovation will feature the construction of an 8,000-square-foot stadium club on the west side and the installation of loge boxes, club seats and chairback seating on the east and west sides. The plans also call for new ADA-accessible seating areas and the widening of aisles with the installation of handrails to increase safety and fan experience.
With all of the improvements, a re-seating process will be necessary as seating configurations in seven sections will be affected and capacity will be reduced. While the re-seating will not go into effect until the 2016 season, the process is set to commence in August. The athletics department has produced a 24-page guide (http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072915aab.html[nevadawolfpack.com]) and will soon launch a website dedicated to the project.
The Wolf Pack’s “Loyalty Points” system, in which fans accumulate points based on season ticket purchase and donor giving, will be used to determine priority levels during the re-seating process. The last day to make contributions that count toward Loyalty Points for the re-seating process is Wednesday. To be part of the first access during the re-seating for the 2016 season, fans must be 2015 season ticketholders.
Over the course of this year, the Wolf Pack’s ticket sales team has reached out to every season ticketholder to explain the scope of the project and discuss the seating options that will be available.
“‘From the outset, we’ve worked closely with our fans to get feedback on the Mackay Stadium experience, and we’ve engaged our season ticketholders and our community on this process,” said Rory Hickok, Nevada’s deputy athletics director. “We’ve been very encouraged by the response every step of the way. This stadium renovation project will greatly improve the game-day experience of every Wolf Pack fan, and we’re excited to move forward with the next step.”
In terms of seating, the project includes 38 new four-seat loge boxes, 238 club seats and 3,880 chair-back seats. A new elevator will be installed on the west side of the stadium as part of the stadium club project.
The project has been in the planning stages for more than three years. The additional amenities will create new ticket prices. Nevada will remain one of the top values in the Mountain West Conference as its most expensive seat will remain in the bottom half of the 12-team league.
Bruce brings UCLA buddy to Nevada baseball staff
Baseball head coach T.J. Bruce has hired Jake Silverman as an assistant coach. Silverman spent the previous five seasons with Bruce at UCLA, and will now work with Nevada’s catchers and assist with hitting and base running.
“Jake is an outstanding coach who will bring a wealth of energy and knowledge to the University of Nevada,” Bruce said. “He’s been a part of three College World Series staffs during his coaching stints at Cal State Fullerton and UCLA.”
Silverman spent the past five seasons with UCLA, helping the Bruins compile a 202-103-1 record in that span with four postseason appearances. Silverman and UCLA earned two trips to the College World Series while capturing the 2013 NCAA Championship.
A native of Tustin, Calif., Silverman is a former player at Fullerton College (2006-07) and Cal State Fullerton (2008). His coaching career began as an undergraduate assistant coach with Cal State Fullerton during the 2009 and 2010 seasons before his stint at UCLA.
Silverman’s work with the catchers paid dividends in 2015 as UCLA’s 28 steals allowed ranked third in the league. The Bruins’ catching corps only allowed one passed ball and handled a UCLA pitching rotation that boasted the nation’s top ERA.
Musselman adds Pac-12 road game to hoops schedule
The men’s basketball team will play Pac-12 foe Oregon State at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore., on Dec. 5 this season. The Beavers went 17-14 last season under then first-year head coach Wayne Tinkle, who has won 175 games as a collegiate head coach.
Earlier Nevada announced its Dec. 22 nonconference game at Wichita State. The Wolf Pack’s Mountain West schedule was released in June, and the remainder of the nonconference schedule is still being completed.
“It’s a great challenge for us to go on the road against the Pac-12’s biggest surprise team last year,” Nevada head coach Eric Musselman said. “The Beavers coaching staff has done a tremendous job recruiting and bringing in a highly-ranked 2015 class.”