The new basketball practice facility on the Drake University campus took another step toward completion as coaches and donors joined Drake president David Maxwell in signing the roofing beam before it was moved into place. The 40,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed in September.
“This building was being talked about a year ago, and now you’ve got three walls of it already raised an steel going up on the roof, and it’s a great day for mens’ basketball and the university in general, Drake men’s coach Ray Giacoletti says. He says the facility will help both programs in a number of ways, including scheduling practices and recruiting.
Drake women’s coach Jennie Baranczyk says it’s exciting to see the building taking shape. Baranczyk says the facility shows that basketball is important to the University. “One of the things is they can work on their craft 24-7,” Branczyk says. She says that shows they are serious about the commitment to basketball.