June 12th 2024.
Dr. Mikki Allen, the athletic director at Tennessee State University, recently presented a proposal to the university's Board of Trustees. In her presentation, she emphasized the importance of renovating the current athletic facilities in order to generate more revenue for the university's athletic departments. Allen believes that by constructing new buildings on campus, the athletic program can offset the financial strain it has been facing.
According to a report by HBCU Gameday, Allen's main goal is to ease the cost of supporting the various athletics programs that the university offers. She stressed the need for revenue-generating facilities on campus, stating that it would greatly benefit the athletic department. "We need to prioritize the construction of facilities that can generate revenue for our athletic program, rather than relying solely on institutional funds," Allen explained to the board.
As part of her proposal, Allen also highlighted the need to refurbish the Ed Temple Track, which she believes is a step in the right direction. She emphasized the need for dedicated athletic facilities, a central operations building, and improved on-campus housing for student-athletes. Allen stressed the importance of these upgrades, especially for the families of the young athletes attending the university. "When parents send their children to our program, their first concern is always housing," Allen shared with the board.
In addition to these changes, Allen also called for upgrades to the Gentry Center, where the university's basketball teams play their home games. She suggested modernizing the center by incorporating current-generation LED technology and media boards, which could attract sponsorships and bring in more revenue for the athletic programs, as reported by HBCU Gameday.
Moreover, Allen proposed a gradual approach to building a football stadium. She also urged the board to consider ways to utilize the facilities for non-sporting events, such as making sure the stadium is ADA compliant and potentially using a turf field. This would open up opportunities to generate extra revenue for the athletic programs.
Allen is aware that the changes she is proposing require a significant investment in infrastructure from the university's board, as well as the continued support of the TSU community. Her ultimate goal is to restore the former glory of Tennessee State University's athletic programs, as reported by HBCU Gameday.
Since taking on the role of athletic director in 2020, Allen has already made significant improvements and additions to the university's athletic programs. This includes appointing Candice Dupree, a former WNBA All-Star and assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, as the women's head basketball coach. In April, Allen and TSU made history by naming Duanté Abercrombie as the head coach of its hockey program, making TSU the first HBCU with a hockey program. It is evident that Allen's proposal aligns with the progress she has already made over the past four years at the university.
In conclusion, Allen's proposal to the board reflects her dedication to the success and growth of Tennessee State University's athletic programs. With the support and investment of the board and the TSU community, Allen believes that the university can reach new heights and continue to make history in the world of athletics.
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