Master plan 'focal point' on hold

Part of the epicenter of former athletic director Michael McNeely's demise has been put on the back burner by current interim athletic director Terry Clapacs. \nThe building that was proclaimed to become the "heart" of IU Athletics was withdrawn temporarily from the IU's "Master Plan" on Monday by Clapacs, due to the $40 million price tag that came with it. \nMcNeely had developed the Student-Athlete Center as the focal point of the athletic department's "Master Plan," which is a comprehensive mission to renovate and construct new athletic facilities for many of Indiana's teams. \nThe athletic department is still running a deficit from last year, currently it is at $3.3 million, and Clapacs does not think it can be erased this year. \nEven though Clapacs put the center on hold for now, the rest of the "Master Plan" is still in the developmental phase, as it was before McNeely left. Clapacs said IU is in need of more space for athletics, but now is just not the time to spend $40 million. \nThe 225,000 square-foot center would have been surrounded by Assembly Hall, Mellencamp Pavilion, Memorial Stadium and the Tennis Pavilion. \nIt would have included: an academic resource center, strength training center, sports medicine center, locker rooms, "Gallery of Champions," practice courts, recruiting hall, champions theater, dining facility, tickets and merchandise, coaches and administrative offices, equipment center and meeting rooms. It would have been been able to convert the practice facilities for volleyball and wrestling into competition sites for game days.\n"I'm not sure it was the right mix, or that all the things that were in that building need to be in that building," Clapacs said. "But we do need additional space. A new structure of some kind is a high priority."\nThe initial description and reasoning behind the "Master Plan" said "The multifaceted project will provide outstanding athletics and fan facilities and enhance the University's already outstanding academic reputation, in turn attracting top-level prospects, athletics personnel and conference and national championship events." \nThis building was an attempt to sway young athlete's to commit to IU, which would lead to the gaining of much needed funds. The same can be said by hosting conference and national championship events, which brings in millions of dollars to the host school as well as the surrounding economies. \nClapacs appears to be settling into his role after being appointed interim athletic director after McNeely's resignation Nov. 8, 2002. He altered the spotlight of McNeely's 16-month tenure at IU, while being in his position for just a little over two months. Whether Clapacs will remain on as IU's athletic director is still unknown. \nThe Associated Press contributed to this report.