The view out of UAB Football Head Coach Bill Clark’s office overlooks the Legacy Pavilion and another outdoor practice field

- Jack Ryan, Sports Editor

#TheReturn of UAB Football comes full circle as the team’s facility receives a much-needed upgrade.

The team will debut a new practice and operations facility that dwarfs their old office space next door.

The UAB Football Operations Facility and Legacy Pavilion are set to be completed July 1, two months before the first football game on Sept. 2. The main facility reaches 46,000 square feet and will feature meeting spaces, weight rooms, cardio spaces, large hot and cold pools, cryogenic therapy areas, a player lounge and more.

Alongside the main facility, there will be three practice fields. The open air practice field was the first to be completed for spring practice. The Legacy Pavilion, a covered practice field, just lacks turf and goal post and the final field will be a smaller practice field that will be placed where the old facilities stand.

The facility cost $22.5 million, all of which came from donations after the shutdown and resurrection of the football program. Legacy Credit Union provided a large sum of money to install the unique covered practice facility instead of a fully enclosed indoor practice field.

"Everyday something new is happening,” said UAB Football Head Coach Bill Clark. “Really, everything in the pavilion is complete. Now, we are just waiting on the turf. It’s exciting. When you tell guys about it and then they see it going up, we like to say that is the proof in the pudding. Our school is committing to the students, and it helps for recruits when they come in and see this. We are going to be able to train year-round and work year-round. It is gratifying to know that people have worked and fought so hard for us."

UAB Football Head Coach Bill Clark talks to the media while standing inside the new team meeting space which will feature theater style seating.

From the cardio loft on the second floor, players will be able to overlook Legacy Pavilion and practice field.