CSU Football Settling into New Athletic Center

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Southern football program has been enjoying the benefits of the new Athletic Center since moving into the facility in late July.

Football alumni raved about the locker room after touring it on Alumni Preview Night, and the current players have not been disappointed since moving into their new digs.

“One of the reasons I came to CSU is because of the improvements that were coming,” CSU junior quarterback Malcolm Dixon said. “It’s great to have a new locker room. Our old one was small so this is great for the whole team to have some more room – some man space. It’s exciting to think when I look back on this, I can say I was one of the first to use it. That’s special for me.”

In addition to state-of-the-art lockers for each player, the new facility also includes a coach’s office and locker room, two large flat screen televisions, and plaques dedicated to former players and the top academic performers on CSU’s current squad.

Former quarterback Collin Drafts, who helped lead the Bucs to the 2005 Big South Championship, also commented on the center.

“This building has been a long-time coming,” said Drafts, the most prolific passer in CSU history. “This is something that was talked about when I was in school, so it’s great to see it finally happen. I think it is something that will definitely help with recruiting and strengthen the program.”

CSU football will not be the lone beneficiary of the new complex, however, as the facility also includes rooms for men’s and women’s track, as well as a new athletic training center.

“As an alum, it’s great to see this facility built,” said CSU Women’s Track Head Coach Tosha Ansley.  "When I was an athlete, we had limited use of the field house and mostly chose to change in our rooms. As a coach, it’s great for my girls because they can come straight in from practice, change, go to the training room and everything is taken care of. It’s very convenient. It’s a place for them to do things as a team and have a space of their own. They’ve never had that before.”

CSU Football opens the 2012 season on September 1 at The Citadel, before kicking off the home slate with a September 8 bout against Jacksonville. The home opener is slated to begin at 1:30.