New York Construction Report staff writer
Following approval from the Syracuse University board of trustees, construction will commence on a new Football Operations Center and the “One Team” Olympic Sports Center, the latter of which will become home to all Syracuse student-athletes.
The John A. Lally Athletics Complex will be the home of the Orange.
“Syracuse University is committed to excellence in every aspect of the student experience,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “For our student-athletes, that means providing them with the kind of environment that supports excellence on and off the fields of play.
“That’s the aspirational vision for the Lally Athletics Complex and it’s exciting to see it move forward with the support it deserves.”
The complex will be an academic and athletic village serving more than 600 student-athletes across 20 teams.
“This is a critical step toward the creation of an academic and athletic village for every Syracuse student-athlete,” says Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “The Lally Athletics Complex is all about providing a best in class experience. We are grateful for the support from the Board of Trustees, our donors and supporters.”
The Football Operations Center will provide significant upgrades to the student-athlete experience and help them meet their performance goals. The facility will feature increased sports medicine space and student-athlete recovery rooms, a new and expanded team cafeteria and nutrition space, as well as a new locker room, position meeting rooms and coaches’ offices, among other amenities.
The facility will also feature upgraded branding that pays homage to the program’s outstanding history. A significant gift from Howard “Howie” Phanstiel ’70, G’71 and his wife Louise, was made to pay tribute to Syracuse University football legend No. 44 Floyd Little ’67, H’16. As a result of their $5 million pledge, the Little Atrium entryway will keep Little’s extraordinary legacy and legend of #44 alive. The new Football Operations Center will also feature exhibits honoring the history and tradition of Syracuse University football. The expanded footprint of the building also has dedicated space to utilize for recruiting visits.
Phase 1 began with the new Lally Athletics Complex entranceway, which was dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this year. It features a welcome lobby for visitors, families, alumni and recruits and new meeting areas and office spaces. Launched in November 2021 with the announcement of a $150 million fundraising campaign—part of the University’s Forever Orange Campaign—the Lally Athletics Complex focuses solely on elevating the student-athlete experience and ensuring that Syracuse Athletics is distinctive and competitive among its ACC peers.
“We are so grateful to all of our Syracuse alumni, family and friends who have given thoughtfully and generously to help complete phase 1,” says ‘Cuse Athletics Fund Executive Director Michael Paulus. “We are celebrating this milestone due to your philanthropic support and thank you for your leadership. There is tremendous excitement about this project for our student-athletes and coaches, and we look forward to building upon the momentum as we enter into the next phase of the campaign.”
