Savage Hall Ground-Breaking Celebration

The University of Toledo will hold a ground-breaking celebration to kick-off the UT Athletics Complex and Savage Hall renovation project on Wednesday, December 12th at Savage Hall.

The University of Toledo has announced a ground-breaking celebration for the new Athletic Complex and Savage Hall renovation project, and the Toledo community is invited.

The ground-breaking celebration will take place on Wednesday, December 12th at 10:00am at center court inside Savage Hall. University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs, Athletic Director Mike O'Brien, donors Chuck and Jackie Sullivan, and UT student-athletes will all lead the countdown celebration to the start of the Savage Hall construction.

“The Savage Hall renovation is going to be a tremendous shot in the arm for our program," said head men's basketball coach Stan Joplin. He added, "it should move our basketball arena into the upper echelon of facilities in the Midwest and really be a big boost for our recruiting efforts."

The renovation project was designed by architectural firms SSOE, Inc. and Ellerbe Becket. The plans they designed include a new seating configuation inside Savage Hall, improved fan amenities, new locker rooms and offices, new suites and loges, a new video scoreboard and sound system, and a new glass atrium lobby to be built on the west side of Savage Hall.

A second phase to the project will include the much anticipated indoor practice facility for various UT sports, including the football team. The indoor practice facility will be located between Savage Hall and the UT Track.

Once the project is complete, the news Savage Hall and UT Athletics Complex will include the following:

A complete renovation of the Savage Hall basketball arena; including new spectator seating, luxury suites and loges, a renovated Grogan Room, and a new video scoreboard and sound system.

A new glass lobby atrium entrance on the west side of Savage Hall, including new and expanded concession stands, updated and expanded rest room facilities, a merchandise shop, and a Hall of Fame area.

New locker rooms, weight room, training room, ticket office, and new coaches and administrative offices.

New entrances to the building, including one entrance exclusively for the Grogan Room.

Windows on the existing building facade.


The public is free to come to the ground-breaking event. Refreshments will be available as well. The University of Toledo is asking attendees to park in Area 4 and enter Savage Hall through the Joe Grogan Room entrance.