MANHATTAN, Kan. (Kansas State Athletics) – In appreciation of a lead gift to the new football indoor project, Director of Athletics Gene Taylor announced today that the state-of-art facility will be permanently named the Shamrock Practice Facility.
“Today is an exciting day as we recognize the Bill and Martin Ryan families with Shamrock Trading Corporation for the lead gift towards our new practice facility and our Building Champions initiative,” Taylor said. “The Ryan family has stepped up in a big way to make this project a reality, and the impact this gift will have on our student-athletes, coaches and support staff is immeasurable. We cannot thank Bill, Dianne, Martin and Deb and the entire Ryan family enough for their commitment to ensuring excellence at Kansas State.”
“Our love for K-State runs deep, and we have been fortunate to be able to support the school and programs that we care for so deeply,” said Bill Ryan, Founder and CEO of Shamrock Trading Corporation. “We appreciate Gene and the athletics department naming this facility in our honor, but more importantly, we are excited for the new facility and what it will provide for Wildcat student-athletes.”
The new facility, which broke ground in December, will be completed this November. The $32.5 million dollar project will have one indoor practice facility with a 65-foot roof clearance and 130-yard practice field along with an adjacent exterior full size turf field. It will also be fully equipped with recruiting and training areas and be accessible to the Vanier Family Football Complex and Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
“This facility is a gamechanger for our program, both from a training standpoint and in recruiting,” head coach Chris Klieman said. “We are very appreciative of all Wildcat supporters who continue to help our program – the Ryan family in particular. I have enjoyed getting to know them and am grateful for their support of all K-State student-athletes.”
For more information on K-State Athletics’ master facility plan and to see more images of the new Shamrock Practice Facility and a live construction webcam, visit K-StateSports.com/BuildingChampions.
