USC agrees to reduce fees to build $50M football facility

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The University of South Carolina received tentative approval Tuesday to build a $50 million football training facility after agreeing to reduce fees for in-state students.

The 105,000-square-foot facility — to include a gym, offices and players' lounges — will otherwise be funded with student athletic fees, ticket revenue and $6 million in already-pledged private donations.

In its proposal, the university says the facility's location next to football practice fields means players will no longer have to cross Bluff Road to go from the stadiums' locker rooms to practice.

[...] Senate President Pro Tem Hugh Leatherman commended the agency's board for asserting its oversight role, following years of criticism it rubber-stamped colleges' expansion requests.

Rick Kelly with university finances said trustees are likely to increase athletic fees for out-of-state students.