Fresno State Athletics
A Valley to Call Their Own
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Oct. 5, 1999
by Curtis Webb, Fresno State Media Relations
Big time college football has hit the San Joaquin Valley, and the Fresno State football team is right in the middle of it. The Bulldogs have made a valley of their own as a home for practice. Located at the corner of Bulldog Lane and Millbrook, a new football practice facility is in full use.
Comprised of one 120-yard and one 100-yard field located below street level, the practice facility has all the necessary features. Twenty-five second clocks posted to the west end of the fields allow for scrimmages and game simulations. Six sets of lights circle the perimeter of the two fields, permitting the squad to practice at night.
At the north end of the facility is a multi-purpose building. This structure contains restrooms, a storage area, a conference room and the team?s personal weight training area. The weight facility is adjacent to the building but is outdoors, making it easily accessible for the players.
Head athletic trainer Paul Schechter and head coach Pat Hill came up with the idea nearly two years ago. Schechter worked with local businesses to get the community involved in the project. Over 30 companies contributed time, money or material for the construction of the new facility. The community showed its support and the football program is reaping the benefits.
In the past, the Bulldogs practiced on the area north of Beiden Field. That section of grass was also used as a parking lot for the Fresno Grizzlies. After each baseball game trash would be left behind and the field would be in poor condition. Players would have to watch out for pieces of glass and hope not to slip on objects left behind by tailgaters.
"It wasn't the best field to practice on," junior linebacker Justin Johnson said. "The new facility is a huge improvement. It gives us so many more options."
"Two years ago we would go to practice on a trash covered field," senior cornerback Payton Williams said. "Now we work out on a larger, cleaner, more professional looking field."
Hill believed that it was time to get a facility that ranked with the best in the West. He feels the facility is in the same class with other schools in the Pac-10, WAC and Mountain West conferences.
"Space for space, we?re on the same level as USC, Oregon, Oregon State and New Mexico," Schechter said. "Our practice facility is just as good as other top college facilities in our region."
The obvious advantage the facility brings is its spacious area. The offense and defense can practice on different fields, giving the coaching staff the opportunity to more clearly evaluate the players and make more definite decisions for the upcoming game.
The improved practice facility brings more to the football program than just more space and flexibility ? it is a solid recruiting tool. Possible prospects, especially from the Valley, can take the Fresno State football program seriously when they see what has been built. Hill sees the practice field as something that brings a special atmosphere to practice, giving the players a stronger sense that they is a part of something.
"It can be very impressive for a young man to come here and to see what type of facilities we have to offer," Hill said. "The college football experience is made a whole lot better for athletes when they have access to so many more resources."
The community?s involvement has been a great bonus to the whole situation. The football program has the new practice facility and talented players to make that next step. Big time college football has truly hit the Valley.
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