That wrestling room is in the actual "confines" of the Convocation Center. Located on the NW side of the Convocation Center, but under the stands, and within the designs of the original footprint of the building. Could not do that with a basketball court.

If you look around, travel around enough you see the types of things that coaches want and need for their programs. Here are a couple:

Dayton: https://daytonflyers.com/sports/2013/8/8/MBB_0808135455.aspx

Xavier: https://goxavier.com/facilities/kohlhepp-family-auxiliary...

Basically with all the things that go on in the Convocation Center, a practice facility would be monumental. In the past they have to try and go to local high schools just to practice when events are going on and Ping is unavaliable

I've probably told this story before on here, but nevertheless, back in the early 70's I was talking with John McComb and told him its a shame they didn't put ice in the Convo. He told me they were going to but he told them not to do it. I asked why, he said "where would we practice?". The plan was to replace Bird Arena years ago. We had quite a bit of alumni support lined up but it just never came together.

High Schools?
That's ridiculous. Of all the things that alums are "embarrassed" about over the years, that one should be the one that actually merits embarrassment. Sending your University's athletes in search of a High School to shoot and practice.

Since we have the engineer up top discussing building in a flood zone and knowing the Convocation Center is really a dormitory with an arena in it's bowels how about another end run? Can we build a much needed parking structure
with parking on the bottom levels that happens to have a practice facility on top? The Vern Alden Memorial Parking structure?

Wright State used to be in the same situation back in the early 2000s. The Nutter Center held many events (concerts, graduations, HS tournaments, minor league hockey, volleyball etc.) that the basketball team always had to schedule around.

They were literally left trying to practice in the Auxiliary gym inside the Nutter Center and fighting off Campus Rec leagues, students playing pick-up games, volleyball practices, indoor soccer practices.

Here's another one people don't usually think about: baseball. College season starts in February. That means "pre" season is December and January. Don't know if you've looked around but it's hard to do much outdoor baseball in Dec/Jan in Ohio - so all those batting cages, pitching mounds, fielding drills etc. happen INDOORS somewhere.

WSU - of the lowly Horizon league - got smart and built a dedicated practice facility strictly for the athletes. It has multiple indoor basketball courts and a couple multi-use areas (for baseball/soccer). It has their own weight room and medical/training rooms. It has their own meeting rooms for film study or study tables/tutoring. It even has food options. Literally a one-stop shop for the athletes.

Believe me, it has made a HUGE difference. From the coaches, to the athletes to the prospective athletes and on down the line.

The fact that OU still doesn't have this, and has resorted to practicing at HS is mind-boggling IMO.

That is true. The Convo was built as a true multipurpose, the shape is correct for hockey and the floor is hollow with 3ft of crawl space to allow for infrastructure

No training table when I played and no practice facility. When I studied I went to Alden Library. I’m glad I was a part of the student population and not sequestered. I turned out just fine and I graduated in four years. These amenities some are calling for are not needed.

Problem is, when everyone else has these things they become needed. You have to win over your kids and families who are attracted to Bell's and whistles. To think otherwise is not being dosed in reality

When I player soccer at O.U. it was the same.
We even had to sneak into the football locker room for lemonade,after practice.

But,unfortunately,in today's world,the amenities are needed to attract talent.

The last dorm we built at FDU was more like a hotel.

But,its what students expect.

100% correct.

Yes...no doubt...you hope recruits base a decision on coach, campus and fit. However, you have many that don't put much stock into any of that stuff and the difference in getting a recruit could very well come down to facilities, amenities and those gold toilets. It's all about taking that picture in uniform on their visit in the fancy state of the art locker-room to show off to friends on social media.

giacomo...I'm not advocating for extremely elaborate facilities, and I know we can't get involved in a high major arms race. But, I think it would really help us to be competitive in recruiting on our level, and to retain good coaches, if we had a practice gym that wasn't under obligations to the student body as a whole and other programs outside athletics. Also, the training table is helpful. It ensures that athletes, who have a higher level of physical demands, have the right nutrition. You and I both know that there have been significant advances in nutrition since when we were both undergrads here at the same time.

Stop!! My side is killing me. :)