STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football is constructing a new indoor practice facility.
The Bulldogs announced project plans on May 7 to build an indoor football practice facility and renovate the existing Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.
Pending approval from the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in June, the project will cost an estimated $60 million with groundbreaking in 2027. The indoor practice facility is planned to open in 2028, with the football building renovations completed in 2029.
The Palmeiro Center currently serves as the indoor facility for football, but it is shared with other MSU programs.
The new practice facility, according to the announcement, will be 110,000 square feet and be constructed behind the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex. It will include “dedicated areas for sports science for enhanced work in injury prevention and recovery.”
The renovations for the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex will include upgrades to the sports medicine, nutrition and locker room areas.Howard Industries is providing the leading gift for the project. The indoor practice facility will be named after Billy W. Howard Sr., the co-founder of Howard Industries and a former MSU football, basketball and track athlete.
Mississippi State to build football-only indoor practice facility: Construction dates and when it will open
Portrait of Sam SklarSam Sklar
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football is constructing a new indoor practice facility.
The Bulldogs announced project plans on May 7 to build an indoor football practice facility and renovate the existing Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.
Pending approval from the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in June, the project will cost an estimated $60 million with groundbreaking in 2027. The indoor practice facility is planned to open in 2028, with the football building renovations completed in 2029.
The Palmeiro Center currently serves as the indoor facility for football, but it is shared with other MSU programs.
Howard Industries is providing the leading gift for the project. The indoor practice facility will be named after Billy W. Howard Sr., the co-founder of Howard Industries and a former MSU football, basketball and track athlete.
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“This donation is a tribute to my family’s deep ties to Mississippi State University,” Howard said in a statement. “It’s an honor to support the football program and to help build a facility that will continue to nurture the next generation of student-athletes. I’m proud to be a part of the Bulldogs’ legacy.”
The new practice facility, according to the announcement, will be 110,000 square feet and be constructed behind the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex. It will include “dedicated areas for sports science for enhanced work in injury prevention and recovery.”
The renovations for the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex will include upgrades to the sports medicine, nutrition and locker room areas.
“We are so thankful to the Howard Family and Howard Industries for their thoughtful decision to invest in the development of elite talent at Mississippi State,” MSU athletics director Zac Selmon said in a statement. “We know this is a critical time in college football, and we must continue to take steps forward to elevate Mississippi State football. We are thrilled Howard Industries shares this belief with us, but we are even more excited and honored that the new facility will bear the name of Mr. Billy, as he is someone who exemplifies what it means to be a Mississippi State Bulldog. We can’t wait to continue to share his story with all who walk through the doors of this facility.”
