University of Alabama announces plans for new basketball training facilities

On Thursday, the Alabama Athletics Department released plans to expand and renovate a portion of the Coleman Coliseum complex for basketball training and player development. The proposed 48,000 square foot expansion would include separate dedicated men's and women's basketball training courts and weight rooms for both programs. The plan includes renovation of 19,000 square foot of existing training space. The plan includes film rooms, player development areas, locker rooms, and training rooms.

The proposed expansion and renovation would still have to be approved by the full University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.

On Thursday, the Board's Physical Properties Committee today recommended approval for Stage I and II of the project.

Greg Byrne is Alabama's Athletics Director.

"The Coleman Coliseum Basketball Training & Player Development Facility Expansion and Renovation will have an incredible impact on our basketball programs," AD Byrne said in a statement. "We are extremely appreciative of the Board of Trustees, Interim Chancellor Trant and President Bell for consideration and are grateful to our donors who have supported this project. This facility is where our basketball programs will spend the majority of their time, and the project will address immediate, high-priority needs for both teams by creating an optimal space for practice and development."

Nate Oats is the head Coach of the Alabama men's basketball team.

"As a program, we spend a majority of our time in the practice gym, the weight room and studying film, so the potential for us to have a new and expanded space for our student-athletes to develop is big for our program," said Oats. "We have tremendous support from our administration, which has played a role in our success, and I want to thank the Board of Trustees, Interim Chancellor Trant and President Bell as well as Greg Byrne and Shane Lyons for bringing this forward. I'd also like to thank our donors and fans for all they do for us."

Kristy Curry is the head coach of the Alabama women's basketball team.

"The potential for us to move all of our day-to-day operations to Coleman Coliseum with this new training & player development space is a game-changer for our program, and we appreciate the Board of Trustees, Interim Chancellor Trant and President Bell for the consideration," said Coach Curry. "The vision and belief of Greg Byrne, Dr. Karin Lee and all of our administration continues to be second to none, as is the support of our donors and fans. We are excited to see what's to come for the future of Alabama Basketball."

Alabama men's basketball team reached heights never achieved by the program this past season when the Tide went to the Final Four of the NCAA playoffs for the first time.