Nearly one year ago the FAMU Boosters embarked upon an ambitious fundraising campaign to expand and renovate the weight room at the 22 year-old Galimore-Powell fieldhouse. The project would have resulted in an addition of nearly 4,000 square feet, which would have more than doubled the size of the weight room while also providing space for meeting rooms and offices.
Culpepper Construction had agreed to donate most of the cost of the expansion and renovation work, estimated at $500,000. However, on the eve of construction Interim President Castell Bryant and former Interim Athletic Director E. Newton Jackson abruptly halted the Boosters plans.
At issue, the Interim President and Interim AD claimed that the renovations required Board of Trustees approval. Despite the fact that Florida Statutes disagree with their claims. New construction requires Board approval, not renovation or expansion to existing buildings.
Mrs. Bryant and Mr. Jackson also claimed to be unaware of the Boosters plans, despite the fact that they both attended a gala fundraisering event at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center for the effort, and University officials worked with Culpepper architects on developing the plans.
Former Rattler Football Coach Billy Joe said at the time, a bigger weight room would allow the entire football team to work out at the same time instead of having to break into smaller groups. Joe also said there are other improvements to the field house that are needed.
"I'm just hopeful that the effort to present the renovation of the field house comes into true fruition once the decisions are made," Joe said. "I'm aware the boosters were working on this project, and I'm supportive of any project to renovate this field house because we are in dire need of a new facility."
This past summer, at the FAMU National Alumni Convention, Mrs. Bryant told alumni that she was working on her own plans to improve conditions at the fieldhouse. Nearly one year later, nothing has happened on this project and FAMU student athletes continue to suffer in sub-standard conditions.