Kansas AD Travis Goff further explains major development project announcement
LAWRENCE — There’s no more important time than now, Kansas athletic director Travis Goff said, when it comes to making the kind of statement the Jayhawks made Friday.
Kansas formally announced its broad vision for a major development project, one that’ll include major upgrades to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and a renovation of the Anderson Family Football Complex. While there’s a desire for it to benefit the university and region as a whole with its multi-use focus, it demonstrates a commitment to the football program’s future. And Goff has full understanding of how much football is both a driving force in college athletics and something with the potential to benefit the overall health of a university.
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Here are some takeaways from Goff’s press conference following the announcement:
How much it might cost
Earlier this year, the Kansas Board of Regents looked at capital improvement requests and five-year plan summaries. That included a two-phase renovation of the Jayhawks’ football stadium, which totaled $350 million. And although Goff said the final total is to-be-determined, he did allow that it will be something “of incredibly significant magnitude.”
Goff is not looking at doing some modifications. He’s not thinking about tweaking what’s already in place. He is committed to fully developing the area while also investing in resources for the football team’s staff and players.
What this might signal to Lance Leipold
Goff said they would be doing this with or without the 5-0 record that Kansas football coach Lance Leipold’s team has. The timing of the announcement, Goff explained, is the product of months of work. And, according to Goff, they are fortunate it aligns with ESPN’s “College GameDay” coming to town for the team’s game against TCU.
But it’s clear this is part of Goff’s efforts to showcase Kansas isn’t trying to just meet what other universities are doing in this space. Goff wants to show an enhanced commitment and vision. He said he and Leipold have been talking about this constantly ever since the two started working together last year.
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What the work at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium might look like
Goff wasn’t too specific, and mused there are a number of potentialities at play. It could be a complete tear-down and rebuild. It could be a significant remodel.
What Goff would allow, is it’s going to be a profound effort to remake the venue. Yes, there is a lot of history there. But they aren’t going to cut corners when it comes to what it’ll take to do the project right.
If there’s news coming with Lance Leipold himself
Considering the rumors of Leipold being someone other programs like Nebraska and Wisconsin might be interested in, there’s interest in Leipold’s commitment to being at Kansas for the long haul. Goff said what they are doing is demonstrating to Leipold and Leipold’s fellow coaches that they are building something that can be sustained. Goff isn’t looking to do something that’s a blip on the radar.
Goff believes Leipold and the rest can feel that commitment. Goff doesn’t want to sit idle or feel comfortable. He noted they will continue to push hard moving forward.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas AD Travis Goff explains major development project announcement
