Tulane Green Wave Gives Critical Update on Football Practice Facility Future

Tulane Green Wave announces major news for its football team's indoor practice facility at a coveted location on campus.

Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tulane Green Wave made a major announcement regarding plans for an indoor practice facility for the football team.

As college football moves toward a landscape dominated by NIL, the importance of facilities remains high at Tulane.

In a newsletter released by Tulane University Neighborhood News, the future site of the practice field was revealed.

"Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6:00 p.m. for an informational meeting about our plans to install a covered practice field in the Claiborne Avenue Lot," the newsletter reads. "The meeting will take place in the Freeman Auditorium located in the Woldenberg Art Center."

It notes that Woldenberg Art Center is building 82 on the online campus map.

The Claiborne Avenue Lot was a coveted location for the university's plans for an indoor practice facility for Tulane football. However, the initial planning focused on what seemed more viable at the time, Brown Field, an intramural site that wouldn't have been a full-sized 100-yard football field.

The Clairborne lot is located behind the baseball stadium on Claiborne Ave. and spans long enough to more than account for a football field. It was largely the preferred location for the fan base but will likely require much more diligence with respect to draining and city regulations.

Announcing it in an official newsletter solidifies plans moving forward and signifies an ultimately desired commitment from the university to the college football program.

College football requires a level of resources to maintain success, especially in a more disadvantaged Group of Five situation, monetary-wise. This is a huge development in that direction for the program.

While head coach Jon Sumrall has publicly declared a desire for NIL funds over facilities, the Green Wave would significantly benefit from an indoor field on campus. Currently, the team utilizes the New Orleans Saints indoor facility and has to take buses over for practice.

In a city like New Orleans, weather is unpredictable and tumultuous. Blue skies can startlingly give way to thunder and lightning in no time, the latter of which requires a shutdown of practice for safety reasons. It's delayed the start of practices.

There's undeniably a benefit to preparing in the elements, as several games at Yulman Stadium have seen rainstorms and wind gusts that the Tulane home team has been prepared for.

In the event of severe weather in New Orleans, the team will retreat from campus, rendering the indoor facility irrelevant. However, when looking to compete in the College Football Playoff and remain a player in potential future conference realignment, this step is crucial for Tulane football.