University of New Hampshire Athletics
Plans to Complete James "Red" Hayes '32 Football Locker Room Announced
12/20/2018 10:50:00 AM | Football, Athletics Development
Overhauled area to include new lockers, meeting space, enhanced technology & HVAC
DURHAM, N.H. – Buoyed by recent private, philanthropic gifts, the University of New Hampshire Department of Athletics announced plans to move forward with the Phase II renovation of the James "Red" Hayes '32 Football Locker Room, a $1 million project that is expected to be completed by August 2019.
The re-imagined James "Red" Hayes '32 Football Locker Room will allow for additional lockers assuring that each student-athlete has his own, individual space. Each ventilated locker will be furnished with increased storage space for equipment, outlets to conveniently and safely power electronic devices, and lock boxes for personal items. An enhanced HVAC system will supply a comfortable, climate-controlled environment in the locker area and in the coaches' new meeting space.
"This is an important initiative as we continue to strive to have a great infrastructure to support our athletic programs," said UNH director athletics Marty Scarano. "This renovation aligns with Wildcat Stadium, the Watkins Center for Student-Athlete Excellence and enhancements to the Jerry Azumah Performance Center supporting our highly successful football team."
Completely renovating the football locker room for the first time in more than 30 years is a key focus in recruiting talented student-athletes to UNH. By the time it's complete, the refurbished James "Red" Hayes '32 Football Locker Room will provide important enhancements such as upgraded climate control, additional storage, technological advances and enhanced décor to display the tradition of Wildcat football.
Phase I of the project, which was successfully completed in the summer of 2017, featured an expanded team lounge, new lighting and electrical upgrades, and the relocation and improvement of duct work needed for the preparation of Phase II. Additional changes included an overhauled sound system, two large flat-screen televisions, new carpet, fresh paint and modernized wall graphics that honored past Wildcat All-Americans, all-conference award recipients and conference champions.
"We are excited to have a new addition to our home," said Jack Carroll, a Wildcat sophomore offensive lineman. "This is the result of the success of past teams and we are ready to earn more."
Tom and Margie (Hayes) Brown, Ed and Gail (Hayes) Kelly '66, family of James "Red" Hayes, and Bob '62 and Suzie Lane spurred the launch of Phase II.
"UNH Football played an important part in our father's life, both as a player and forever as a fan," the Brown/Kelly family said. "We are pleased to be able to preserve his legacy with the continuance of the improvements to the James "Red" Hayes Locker Room."
"We're excited about plans to modernize the football locker room to a standard worthy of the team's success and are delighted to help the athletic department achieve that goal," said Bob Lane.
"I am so pleased with the generosity of the Brown, Kelly and Lane families," said 20th-year UNH football head coach Sean McDonnell. "Their giving so that our student-athletes can benefit shows what it means to truly be part of the Wildcat football family."
Naming opportunities remain for alumni, parents and Wildcat fans wishing to extend their legacy in this space with gifts of $1,000 and up.
"These enhancements can't be done without the fabulous support we receive from folks like the Brown, Kelly and Lane families," Scarano added. "For that, we are so grateful."
For more information about how you can support the James "Red" Hayes '32 Football Locker Room project, contact senior associate director of athletics development Brenda Holt Mullaney at brenda.mullaney@unh.edu or 603-862-3842.
The UNH football program, which celebrated the 125th anniversary of its first game in 2018, has advanced to the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs in 14 of the past 15 seasons. With 98 career CAA victories, McDonnell is the winningest active coach in the league and No. 3 all-time. He is one conference win ahead of his mentor, NFF College Football Hall of Famer and Wildcat coaching legend Bill Bowes.
The re-imagined James "Red" Hayes '32 Football Locker Room will allow for additional lockers assuring that each student-athlete has his own, individual space. Each ventilated locker will be furnished with increased storage space for equipment, outlets to conveniently and safely power electronic devices, and lock boxes for personal items. An enhanced HVAC system will supply a comfortable, climate-controlled environment in the locker area and in the coaches' new meeting space.
"This is an important initiative as we continue to strive to have a great infrastructure to support our athletic programs," said UNH director athletics Marty Scarano. "This renovation aligns with Wildcat Stadium, the Watkins Center for Student-Athlete Excellence and enhancements to the Jerry Azumah Performance Center supporting our highly successful football team."
Completely renovating the football locker room for the first time in more than 30 years is a key focus in recruiting talented student-athletes to UNH. By the time it's complete, the refurbished James "Red" Hayes '32 Football Locker Room will provide important enhancements such as upgraded climate control, additional storage, technological advances and enhanced décor to display the tradition of Wildcat football.
Phase I of the project, which was successfully completed in the summer of 2017, featured an expanded team lounge, new lighting and electrical upgrades, and the relocation and improvement of duct work needed for the preparation of Phase II. Additional changes included an overhauled sound system, two large flat-screen televisions, new carpet, fresh paint and modernized wall graphics that honored past Wildcat All-Americans, all-conference award recipients and conference champions.
"We are excited to have a new addition to our home," said Jack Carroll, a Wildcat sophomore offensive lineman. "This is the result of the success of past teams and we are ready to earn more."
Tom and Margie (Hayes) Brown, Ed and Gail (Hayes) Kelly '66, family of James "Red" Hayes, and Bob '62 and Suzie Lane spurred the launch of Phase II.
"UNH Football played an important part in our father's life, both as a player and forever as a fan," the Brown/Kelly family said. "We are pleased to be able to preserve his legacy with the continuance of the improvements to the James "Red" Hayes Locker Room."
"We're excited about plans to modernize the football locker room to a standard worthy of the team's success and are delighted to help the athletic department achieve that goal," said Bob Lane.
"I am so pleased with the generosity of the Brown, Kelly and Lane families," said 20th-year UNH football head coach Sean McDonnell. "Their giving so that our student-athletes can benefit shows what it means to truly be part of the Wildcat football family."
Naming opportunities remain for alumni, parents and Wildcat fans wishing to extend their legacy in this space with gifts of $1,000 and up.
"These enhancements can't be done without the fabulous support we receive from folks like the Brown, Kelly and Lane families," Scarano added. "For that, we are so grateful."
For more information about how you can support the James "Red" Hayes '32 Football Locker Room project, contact senior associate director of athletics development Brenda Holt Mullaney at brenda.mullaney@unh.edu or 603-862-3842.
The UNH football program, which celebrated the 125th anniversary of its first game in 2018, has advanced to the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs in 14 of the past 15 seasons. With 98 career CAA victories, McDonnell is the winningest active coach in the league and No. 3 all-time. He is one conference win ahead of his mentor, NFF College Football Hall of Famer and Wildcat coaching legend Bill Bowes.
Players Mentioned
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