McNeese upgrading football locker room with $1.1M renovation

LAKE CHARLES – Jack Doland Fieldhouse is getting a much-needed upgrade.

The McNeese football program is in the process of having a new state-of-the-art locker room constructed inside the famed fieldhouse. The project will cost $1.1 million and be completed in early July.

The revamped locker room will include 116 custom hybrid lockers, similar to what is housed in the Los Angeles Rams’ locker room at SoFi Stadium. The lockers are made from a gray nano technology laminate which is self-healing and scratch resistant on the sides, doors and footlocker face with upper and lower compartments.

"I am very excited about our new locker room," McNeese second-year head coach Gary Goff said. "The new state-of-the-art lockers will not only provide our team with a facility to be extremely proud of, but will also assist in our recruiting efforts. Every student-athlete wants a nice locker room and this will be one of the best!"

According to the McNeese Athletic Department, the lockers will include stainless steel pull-out, tilt-down shoulder pad and knee brace gear rack and a tray with a fan drying system integrated to circulate air in pad compartment, forcing the air into the pads.

The state-of-the-art lockers will also include a helmet fan drying system, electrical outlets with two USB charging ports, LED lights, lift-up head rest with fold down back rest system, footlocker box with digi lock capabilities.

"I’m beyond excited about our new football locker room," McNeese Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer said. "I have to thank our administration, (McNeese President) Dr. (Daryl) Burckel and (McNeese Executive Vice President) Dr. (Wade) Rousse for their support on this project. I also think this is a great time to acknowledge the importance and growth of the McNeese Athletic Foundation (MAF). Without the MAF team and organization, this project would never have gotten off the ground."

Schroyer added, "This project will be first class in every way. We took no short-cuts. This will help us recruit the student-athletes we need to get back to where we all expect to be in football – nationally relevant and regionally dominant, period! The truth is, our football program was neglected and under funded for about a decade. The day this administration team got in place, we started reversing that trend and getting the program back on track. We have accomplished a lot as a department the last few years and every sport is important to this department. However, make no mistake, our two revenue generating sports – football and men's basketball – need to win! When they win, every sport will reap the benefits. This new locker room will help move our football program forward thus move our department forward."

The McNeese locker room has also received a new paint job and installation of a new sport traffic carpet. Also, the bathroom and shower area will receive a new overlay epoxy floor and ceiling repairs and paint.

McNeese will open up the 2023 season at home against Tarleton State on Saturday, Sept. 2nd. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.