Missouri gets $10 million gift for indoor football facility

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Plans for a new indoor football practice facility at the University of Missouri gained momentum with a $10 million donation to the school's athletic department.

The university announced the gift from an anonymous donor on Tuesday.

It comes less than a month after the Board of Curators approved a study for construction of a new practice facility.

Missouri is the only member of the Southeastern Conference that does not have a full-size indoor practice facility. Coach Eliah Drinkwitz said in a statement the new facility is 'œcritical'ť to year-round development and training of team members.

The new field will replace the Devine Pavilion, which has a 70-yard field.

'œAs the SEC's furthest-most Northern school, it is critical that our program have a full length indoor practice facility to utilize year-round, and this gift, coupled with the Board of Curators' action earlier this month, gives this project great momentum,'ť athletic director Jim Sterk said.

Sterk said other Missouri teams, such as softball, baseball and women's soccer, also will benefit because they will be able to use the Devine Pavilion year round.