Oregon planning sports science center named for Marcus Mariota
Oregon is planning a sports science center named after former quarterback Marcus Mariota, the program announced on Thursday.
The proposed Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Complex was presented to the university’s board of trustees on Thursday and would enhance 29,000 square feet of the Casanova Center’s first floor by refurbishing an equipment room and transforming locker room and storage space into a sports science facility.
If approval is granted at a board meeting next week, construction would begin in January 2016 with the goal of completion by Sept. 15, 2016. The project would be a gift from Oregon alumnus and Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny.
• Top 25 college football team preview: No. 10 Oregon Ducks
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of Phil and Penny Knight and their commitment to the University of Oregon, we’ll be able to enhance our total commitment to the student-athlete experience with another world-class facility,” Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said in a release. “Marcus is the epitome of a student-athlete, and the Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Complex will be an outstanding tribute to his legacy.”
Oregon said several staff members made “fact-finding trips” domestically and internationally over hte last year to gather information for possible features of the complex. Areas for active recovery (stretching and foam-rolling) and passive recovery (therapy and rest pods) would be included. New diagnostic equipment would also be a feature, including 3D motion capture technology for testing data related to players’ range of motion and identifying possible inefficiencies in their routines. A neurocognitive center to help diagnose and treat concussion symptoms would be included as well.
Mariota played at Oregon from 2012 to 2014, winning the Heisman Trophy in his last season while leading the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory and berth in the College Football Playoff championship. Over his three seasons at Oregon, Mariota passed for 10,796 yards and 105 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans with the second pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
