Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/515571
GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 28 • 19 Hazell's mission: To find "the best setup to be able to have what we need under the roof in Mollenkopf and what we need in the south end zone." All three of the facilities that were visited were designed by Populous, which Hazell mentioned has been working with Purdue. Hazell has been as involved in the process as he can be, and he said there are some great ideas being discussed now about what the plan could entail. But nothing is finalized. Burke met with the board of trustees last week to update them on the planning process, but he doesn't expect any big reveals anytime soon. "Really the big deal is toward the end of the year when we complete the plan," Burke said. "All we're really doing is saying, 'Do you care if we plan?' They don't care. After that, we'll probably announce the architect and the construction manager. "But what we have to do is remind our fans, like we were with Mackey, we have concepts, we have to convert them to how much square footage and … We call it the football master plan because it will address Mollenkopf, the Brees Center, consolidating the auxiliary space as well as the stadium. It'll probably be a series of projects. Don't think of it as one big bang. Because we've got to live in the house while we're there, like we did with Mackey. We just have to sort that out over the next six, seven months." Burke said he was happy Hazell went on a "bench-marking trip" to other universities. "You find out that not everybody has everything, which is important," Burke said. "You don't feel as bad. I think sometimes we're like everybody else — we look at what we don't have. We have great practice facilities. Our auxiliary space just needs work. It's just old. It's like your kitchen — the Formica has to be replaced. That's the space that's hard because it's just not configured properly, so it will lead to some adjustments in Mollenkopf. It'll still be (pieces of ) maintenance, technology and different type of seating in the south end zone." Hazell said he'd like more meeting rooms and, potentially, would like the locker room to be in Mollenkopf. "We're looking at a couple different plans right now," Hazell said. "There are some great ideas. It's not finalized. … It's going to be nice when it's done." There's a possibility Purdue could switch from a Bermuda grass to FieldTurf in Ross-Ade Stadium, too. Hazell won't publicly state his preference, but from a recruiting standpoint, FieldTurf looks much sharper in the winter than grass, and that's always a consideration for coaches. PURDUEFED.COM/VISA PURDUE PRIDE THAT PAYS. *Subject to credit approval. No annual fee. Balance transfers and cash advances not eligible for rewards points. Federally insured by NCUA. Join thousands of Purdue fans who reach for their official Purdue Alumni Association Visa ® Credit Card and get rewarded for things you pay for anyway. Redeem rewards points for unlimited cash back, gift cards or a cash donation to the John Purdue Club. Apply today. *