July 15, 2005

Just one month away from completion the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, also referred to as `The Gug' (pronounced Goog), is being readied to house the Notre Dame football coaching and support staff. In addition, The Gug features the revamped Haggar Fitness Center and a brand new training facility that will be utilized by all 26 Notre Dame varsity sports.

Here is an exclusive 31-picture look at The Gug as it enters the final stages of completion before the team begins to move in at the end of the month.

All photos by Alan Wasielewski.

One of the last rooms under construction in the Guglelmino Athletics Complex is the main entranceway. This will be the public entrance, containing a reception area and a hallway to both the Haggar Fitness Center and the Loftus Center. These arches will contain some selected trophy displays, including a tribute to seven Heisman Trophies that have been awarded to former Irish greats and the 1988 National Championship trophy. Just off the main entrance is a double-door entrance to the football-only portion of the building, which is down this hallway. Only football players, administrators, coaches and support staff will have access to this portion of the building.

Also in the final stages of completion in the beautiful recruiting lounge, located on the second floor above the entrance. The huge window offers a panoramic view of campus (including the Golden Dome). On the ceiling of the recruiting lounge are special support beams designed to allow special banners to be hung (now in production) in recognition of Notre Dame's 11 consensus national championship seasons. Here is a view of the redesigned and now fully functional Haggar Fitness Center from the recruiting lounge balcony. The Haggar Fitness Center is shared by both the Guglielmino Athletic Complex and the Loftus Center and is utilized by all 26 varsity sports supported at Notre Dame.

Two of the newest pieces of equipment in the Haggar Fitness Center are these blocking sleds, which allow variable weight to be added during workouts. At several points in the building Gatorade stations are available - this one is located in the Haggar Fitness Center. On the opposite side of the weight training area is a brand new Prestige Turf field and a 50-yard speed workout track. This will be utilized by all 26 varsity sports at Notre Dame, allowing sprint workouts and stretching to be done just adjacent to the weight training section.

One of the goals that the designers of the Guglielmino Athletics Complex succeeded in achieving was keeping the facility at the cutting edge of technology. In addition to future computer developments (which the building is already wired for) new plasma televisions have been installed throughout the building. The Haggar Fitness Center features six plasma televisions. More plasma screens are planned for the player locker room and player lounge. A better look at the 45-yard length Prestige Turf field in the Haggar Fitness Center. Here is a look at the part of the new training facility - which will be utilized by all 26 varsity sports.

A different view of the training facility, this one from the football player entrance. The rehabilitation portion of the training facility will be located here. With the two new swim exercise pools in the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, the Notre The hydro training facility is located behind these doors - closed off from the rest of the training room. This will allow the humidity of the swim exercise pools to not effect the rest of the facility.

With the two new swim exercise pools in the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, the Notre Dame training staff will have access to four pools (two located in Notre Dame Stadium). Here is the new equipment distribution and storage center for the football team. It is located on the south side of The Gug, adjacent to the practice week locker room. The practice week locker room is completed, but is being used as temporary storage of new desks and supplies for the rest of the building. Here is a look at a row of completed lockers.

Here is a close up of two of the completed lockers. The storage space in the bottom will be fitted with a cleat drying machine, allowing wet cleats to be dried out after each practice. The new shower facility in The Gug locker room is designed with football players in mind - as the shower heads are approximately six and ½ feet from the floor. The assistant coaches locker room is shown here, it is just adjacent to the player's locker room and features private shower facilities.

A view of the football player's lounge that is located on the west side of the building. Each position group has been designated for its own meeting room in The Gug (nine total). The furniture is designed to be easily moved to the side, allowing for the groups to work on formations right in each room if needed. The Gug also features a 150-seat auditorium that can be used by all 26 varsity sports. The seats are oversized, keeping the size and comfort of student- athletes in mind.

Here is a view of the auditorium from behind the top row. The entire building will be connected to this room - the video coordinator's work area. Every coach will be able to access the team's game and practice video from any room in the building. A look at an assistant coach office that faces west toward campus.

Another look at an assistant coach office on the east side the building, facing the Loftus Center. Here is sneak peek for www.und.com visitors - the inside of head football coach Charlie Weis' office. Coach Weis will have access to a balcony that overlooks the football practice fields (which can be seen in the distance in this photo). Another view outside the windows in Coach Weis' office.

The Guglielmino Athletics Complex is on schedule to be completed by the end of July and the Notre Dame football staff is expected to be operational in the building during the first week of August.