Nov. 15, 2000

By DICK HARMON
The Daily Herald

PROVO, Utah - There will be a much-needed indoor practice facility built at BYU, according to reports given faculty members by key school leaders.

An official announcement, including details, could be released this weekend during the last home game of head football coach LaVell Edwards.

Or, it may not come.

BYU director of athletic media relations Duff Tittle said Tuesday the school has no plans for such an announcement at this time.

"It's not our announcement to make," Tittle said. "If there's an announcement to be made, I'm sure the proper people will determine when one will be made if it's needed, but we have no announcement on this matter."

Tittle acknowledged a flood of phone calls Monday and Tuesday from media inside and out of Utah about the proposed facility and an impending announcement about Edwards' possible successor.

"Everybody wants to know what's going on. People want to be first in reporting it, which is understandable," said Tittle.

"But on both questions (the complex and a new coach), we don't have anything to say."

In a private meeting last Thursday with members of the athletic department faculty, including secretaries, BYU officials shared information that LDS Church officials -- including the governing board of trustees -- had given approval to erect a multi-faceted building that would house an indoor football field, track and a variety of offices.

The meeting included an admonition that a public announcement had not been approved.

Word of the approved plans immediately started trickling around the community and news outlets over the weekend.

According to sources, the board approved the proposed facility as presented, but cautioned the school to build it to meet the needs of the school without letting "wish lists" of extras get out of hand.

BYU is a school in dire need of office space for professors and staff. Some dance instructors and other staff members are stacked three and four to a small room.

The need for additional working space proved a key selling point with the board, according to reports.

Today, LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley will preside at dedication ceremonies of an expanded library facility on campus at 2 p.m.

BYU's ability to hold football practices in bad weather currently ranks third in the state behind Utah State and the University of Utah, and fourth in the Mountain West Conference behind Air Force, Wyoming and Utah.

The project could cost somewhere near $50 million depending on figures kicked around the past few months.