In news that has been long awaited for Wildcat fans, and recruits, Northwestern has officially announced that ground will be broken on the site of the new Lakefront Athletics and Recreation Complex, which will be named Ryan Fieldhouse, in one week on November 13th.

The facility will host football facilities and Olympic sports, as well as recreational activities and “non sporting events.”

Ryan Fieldhouse will also house the Walter Athletics Center, which will include academic services, office space for coaches, a nutrition center and dining facility, and a sports performance center.

Said Jim Phillips in a statement on nusports.com:

This is a landmark day for our entire campus community. Ryan Fieldhouse and the Walter Athletics Center will provide the finest support, training and developmental facilities for Northwestern student-athletes in an incomparable location. This transformational facility will seamlessly integrate athletics into the heart of campus, offer new recreational opportunities for Northwestern students, faculty and staff and enhance the use of the lakefront by the entire Evanston community. We are tremendously excited to begin construction and realize this vision.”

The field house will provide a much needed facilities boost for the football team, something that Northwestern is at a disadvantage with currently when compared to their recruiting rivals.  The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 1 PM Friday afternoon and will include remarks from football head coach Pat Fitzgerald, university president Morton Shapiro, and athletic director Jim Phillips.