The deck will also serve as revenue generation for Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, which will be used exclusively to support Marshall student-athletes.
Marshall’s NIL vendor, Athletic Advantage, will fund construction of the $1.8 million addition through a $1 million naming rights gift, as well as the sale of memberships for the two-tiered club and deck. The space also includes a new field level seating configuration and a new stadium seating configuration in the stands directly adjacent from the new field level seating on both the east and west sides.
Christian Spears, Marshall’s athletic director, said the university will not move forward until the naming rights gift is secured and that the decking offers a multitude of future opportunities.
“Fans will have a next-level experience with access to food and drink,” Spears said. “It will be incredible.”
Construction on the facility is expected to begin this spring with a grand opening in September.
The board approved a 2.5 percent increase in housing costs for The Landing, Marshall’s graduate student housing facility located on the health sciences campus for the summer term, as well as a minor rate increase for the campus summer meal plan rate.
In his report to the board, President Brad D. Smith said the university must remain agile as it navigates the ever-changing landscape of the future, including financial considerations, athletics and the NCAA, and new political leadership.
Regarding recent executive orders on both the federal and state levels, Smith said Marshall is diligently reviewing the orders and engaging with all key stakeholders.
“Our responsibility is to honor the ongoing commitments to our students, while ensuring we adhere to the executive orders that have been passed,” he said.
In other action, the board approved four individuals to serve on the West Virginia Autism Training Center (ATC) Advisory Board which is housed at Marshall.