Back in 2018, well before the COVID pandemic, the Board of Trustees at Central Michigan approved $32.5 million be spent for the Champions Center, and the school just revealed the final product recently.
Truth be told, the new facility looks to be an absolute gem for Jim McElwain and his staff.
Included in the new 50,000 square foot facility, is a 7,000 square foot weight room, two new fuel stations for pre and post workout nutritional needs, more than 7,100 square feet of office and meeting space, an all new locker room with space for 115 ventilated lockers.
Perhaps the coolest thing about the new addition being at the stadium, is that when the team takes the field from the north end zone, they go through a tunnel that is located through the center of the Isabella Bank VIP club. Really, it's a smaller, similar version of entry that the Dallas Cowboys have at Jerry's World. The VIP Club with have indoor and outdoor patio spaces for fans to enjoy the game and cheer the team onto the field from.
Also included is 16 Loge boxes on the second level of the addition that will provide a premier seating experience. The Chippewas are one fo the first schools in the MAC to provide a game day option like that.
Head coach Jim McElwain shared the following about the Champions Center and about the advantage it will give them in recruiting:
"When I sit in a living room and talk to parents, I look them in the eye and tell them that our top priority is helping their son become the best version of himself. Building a facility like the Chippewa Champions Center is tangible proof to those parents and future Chippewas that Central Michigan University is serious about investing in developing student-athletes. As coaches, we're motivated by the ability we have to positively impact the lives of the young men and this facility will greatly enhance our ability to do so."
See a video tour of the new facility in the clip, and stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.