<font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">Mississippi State has scheduled a Monday press conference at Humphrey Coliseum to outline specifics regarding construction of a basketball practice facility.
</font><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">The building has been in State's facility plans for some time, but securing funding had delayed construction. In October 2008, State received the state College Board's approval of a customary lease of the property on which the building will be constructed to the private Bulldog Club. That group will own the building. State is seeking the board's approval for the exterior of the facility at its Thursday meeting in Jackson.</font> <font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">The building's cost has been estimated at between <span style="font-weight: bold;">$10 and $12 million</span> and its size has been estimated at 70,000 square feet.</font>
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State's basketball teams share Humphrey Coliseum, their game-day homes, with regular university functions like graduations. Last fall, for example, former Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke at Humphrey Coliseum.
The arrangement often forces State to practice or work out at the neighboring Sanderson Center, a student recreation facility.
The new facility will feature a pair of courts, locker rooms and offices for coaches and support staff. Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury, who will start his 12th season at the school in November, has long stumped for the building's construction.</font>
