As Hinkle Fieldhouse celebrates its 90^th season, Butler University has announced a fundraising initiative to support a second phase of enhancements for the facility, which will significantly impact the student-athlete and fan experiences at the iconic venue. The project is estimated to cost $10.5 million, and Butler supporters have already committed more than $8 million.
 
The enhancements include a complete renovation of the Efroymson Family Gym, air-conditioning all public areas of the Fieldhouse, and extensive work to the men's soccer locker room.
 
"Hinkle Fieldhouse is an iconic symbol of basketball history and tradition, not only for Butler University, but for all Hoosiers. As such, it is imperative that we continuously invest in preserving Hinkle's historic nature, while enhancing this great facility for the competitive realities of today," said Butler President James M. Danko. "The next phase of Hinkle renovation will further improve both the student-athlete and fan experience, while having a lasting impact on Butler University."
 
Once the additional gifts are secured for this second phase, project-specific plans will be prepared and a timeline will be established. The desired timeline for this phase to begin is late spring 2019, with the goal that the project is completed in fall 2019 (subject to fundraising success in the coming months). This second phase follows phase one of the Hinkle project, which was completed in 2014 and cost $36 million (details available here). Much like the first phase of the project, each aspect of the second phase aims to greatly improve both the student-athlete, and community experience, at Hinkle.
 

• The Efroymson Family Gym, which currently houses two courts on the west end of the facility, will be completely renovated to mirror the look and feel of the main Hinkle court. The project will include new lighting and flooring, in addition to an updated graphics package and the featuring of the exposed Hinkle brick. The EFG will feature window treatments, and have new speakers, cameras and scoreboards installed.

"The Efroymson Family Gym renovation will provide our program with a state-of-the-art facility to run practices and team activities, while also giving our student-athletes the resources to improve their skill level in a team or individual setting," said LaVall Jordan, Butler men's basketball coach. "The renovated Efroymson Family Gym will give us a home to develop our current roster and attract future Bulldogs."
 
"These enhancements to the Efroymson Family Gym are a game-changer for our program," said Butler women's basketball coach Kurt Godlevske. "We're excited for the impact this will have on our student-athletes and their development."
 

• The main court, the concourses inside Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the Efroymson Family Gym will be air-conditioned.

 
"Air-conditioning Hinkle Fieldhouse has always been an area of need," said Butler Vice President/Director of Athletics Barry Collier. "This facility is used 365 days per year, including in the heat of summer, by our student-athletes. The addition of an HVAC system will provide a much better setting to compete, practice and train for our student-athletes, while improving the experience of our fans, campers and community members who utilize this iconic venue."
 

• The project also includes the renovation of the Butler men's soccer locker room, which was the only Hinkle-based locker room not renovated during the first phase of the most recent Hinkle project.

 
"A refurnished locker room will help to develop and maintain high standards within our program, providing our team with an inspiring setting to start and end each and every day that we are together," said Butler men's soccer coach Paul Snape.
 
About Hinkle Fieldhouse
Hinkle Fieldhouse has reigned as one of the nation's great sports arenas for more than eight decades. The classic facility was constructed in 1928 and it has stood up to the test of time, maintaining the splendor, character and atmosphere that made it one of the nation's most famous basketball arenas for nearly a century. During the summer of 2014, the Fieldhouse underwent a major $36 million renovation that provided significant upgrades and improvements to make a great facility even better.
 
About Butler Athletics
Butler University, located in Indianapolis, Ind., participates in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division I level. Nineteen of Butler's 20 teams compete in the BIG EAST, while the football program is a member of the Pioneer Football League. The Bulldogs have a long history of athletic success, including back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship Game in 2010 and 2011, and the University is home to one of the nation's great intercollegiate basketball facilities, Hinkle Fieldhouse. For more information about Butler athletics, visit www.ButlerSports.com.