Autry Court Renovations

[Stallion]

I believe it when I see it;

An artist's rendering of the renovated exterior of Autry Court.
RICE UNIVERSITY



Feb. 7, 2007, 4:58AM
Rice's Autry Court to receive $23 million face lift
Old gym to get new look


By MOISEKAPENDA BOWER
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

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Details about the renovation of Autry Court:
• Start — July 2007.

• Completion — January 2009.

• Cost — An estimated $23 million.

• Temporary home — Rice's basketball and volleyball teams will play at Reliant Arena during the 2007-08 season.
If he decided to do so, Bobby Tudor could stroll around Rice University and take in the beauty of the 285-acre campus nestled next to the Texas Medical Center. That walk would yield contrasting architectural images, from the classic design of Lovett Hall to the state-of-the-art brilliance of the Shepherd School of Music.

That stroll would be spoiled if Tudor ventured past Autry Court, where he was a four-year letterman in basketball. Twenty-five years later, Autry Court remains a dilapidated eyesore, and that inspired Tudor, a member of the board of trustees, to initiate change.

Rice announced Tuesday a $7 million gift from Tudor, a 1982 Rice graduate, and his wife, Phoebe, that will jump-start a $23 million, 18-month renovation of 57-year-old Autry Court.

"It's certainly very important to me personally," Tudor said. "I'm a big fan, and I go to all the games. ... I'm a big believer that college basketball can contribute very significantly to overall student life and vitality. But for that to happen at Rice on a consistent basis over time, we've just got to have a better facility, and I think the university will benefit from a better facility."

Under a tentative plan, Autry Court will be gutted this summer, with its infrastructure undergoing a redesign. The renovation will include upgrades specific to basketball and volleyball as well as updated amenities, new locker rooms and offices, and a student-athlete academic center. The facility will serve as a student service center and also as a fan-friendly environment for those patronizing athletic events.

Attracting the community beyond Rice's hedges and creating an economic stream out of Autry Court is part of the business model of Rice athletic director Chris Del Conte who, following his hiring last June, targeted Autry as a facility in need of an overhaul.

With the opening of Reckling Park in 2000 and last summer's renovations at Rice Stadium, Autry moved to the front of the line.

"It gives us a chance to get a running start at things that we haven't had," Rice men's basketball coach Willis Wilson said. "For us to be able to say (to the community) that we've made a significant investment in our basketball program, in particular in our facilities, that has some substance to it. And it gives kids an opportunity to see that we do want to compete at a high level, and that basketball is important at Rice."

The student-athletes Rice targets opt for the superior facilities at Duke, Vanderbilt, Stanford and Northwestern, and that has hamstrung the development of the basketball programs.

Because Rice has been unable to generate significant revenue from men's basketball, the football program shouldered a disproportionate burden to supplement the department.

Del Conte believes a renovated Autry Court finally will put Rice on par with its peers.

"With a facility that is completely updated, we're going to get a better student-athlete to come here," Del Conte said.

[email protected]

[mrydel]

Does this mean the Rice coach is leaving?