CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami director of athletics Blake James believes an indoor practice facility will be completed in the spring of 2018.

Blake James

“An indoor practice facility remains at the top of the list,” James said. “An announcement will be coming soon. I will continue to say that. Unfortunately we don’t have it yet today, but we’re finalizing some details and we’ll have a naming gift secured here in the near future and that’s something I hope we have in place for the April ’18 season.

“That’s a project that we continue to push on full-go. To get those facilities you have to have a passionate fan base and one that’s able to step forward. We’re getting it on the indoor practice facility, but we’re also seeing it on a daily basis”

James announced they have over 36,000 season-ticket holders with less than 1,000 in the lower bowl. James believes they will reach the 40,000-mark for the season.

Miami’s home stadium shared with the Miami Dolphins, New Miami Stadium, has undergone $5 million renovations in the offseason.

“I’m confident it will be one of the best in the country and will be hosted future Super Bowls, college football championships, and home to an NFL team,” James said “To have a stadium of that level to be there for our program is something that’s a real win for us.”

James is expected to be ready for the Hurricanes’ home opener on Sept. 3 against Florida A&M.

“Based on the comments the Dolphins have made publicly I feel confident,” James said. “We have a back-up plan in place, but we are confident we will be in that stadium on Sept. 3.”

James declined to name the stadium for the back-up plan, but one is in place and fans would get two-week notice (which would be Aug.20) if a change will be made.

NOTES

Miami is the only program in the country that had a football team going to a bowl game, both men’s and women’s basketball teams in the NCAA tournament, and the baseball team participating in the College World Series

Miami finished 46th overall in the 2015-16 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Standings. It is the highest finish for Miami since 2002-03

Three teams perfect APR score—cross country, diving, and women’s golf

The athletic program has a 90-percent graduation rate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0

----------------------------------------------