FSU's indoor football facility to soon be reality

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Jimbo Fisher's dream house could soon become a reality.

Florida State's football program is one big step closer to having its own indoor practice facility thanks to a $5 million donation from retired Ocala corporate executive Al Dunlap.

Fisher has pushed for an indoor facility since he arrived on FSU's campus as offensive coordinator in 2007, saying that FSU loses too much practice time due to severe weather. The Seminoles may be able to use the facility in time for pre-camp practices in the summer of 2013.

"I base all things off winning," Fisher said. "All my decisions are not out of want. It's out of want to win and things we need to win. And this is the biggest thing that has handicapped us as far as weather conditions.

"The amount of time you lose in preparation, not just in the fall, but in your year-round development, is unbelievable."

Many of the nation's top college football programs have an indoor practice facility or "bubble" for the football team. The facilities are common in Northern states, where even schools that aren't football powers — like Akron and Eastern Michigan — can practice indoors.

FSU used Central Florida's facility in the days leading up to the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando in December. In the last year, Auburn finished construction of its facility. And Virginia is currently raising funds.

Barnes said that construction at FSU could start in early December and the $15 million facility may be completed by April 2013. The indoor practice facility will reside on one of FSU's current practice fields and will have Dunlap's name on it.

"We were looking for a big lead gift," Seminole Boosters Inc. Sr. Vice President/Executive Director Charlie Barnes said. "Dunlap came through in the last 30-60 days. That has put us real close to our goal."

Fundraising began last fall, and while Barnes wouldn't say how much more money is needed he said the boosters are close to the $15 million mark. Barnes said that Dunlap, who once ran Sunbeam and Scott Paper, also filmed an announcement urging FSU alumni and fans to donate.

"We've raised an awful lot of money," Barnes said. "We have a lot of prospects left."

Barnes said he hopes that the fundraising campaign will be complete by the weekend of the spring game, which typically takes place in mid-April.

For more information on the facility, go to fsuindoorpracticefacility.com.