ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

ASU’s Harris: Facility upgrades won’t fall behind schedule

Nov 8, 2013, 12:24 AM | Updated: 12:24 am

When Arizona State athletic director Steve Patterson accepted the same position at Texas, Sun Devils fans immediately had two questions:

Will Patterson take football coach Todd Graham to Texas as Mack Brown’s replacement, and how does this affect ASU’s plan to upgrade Sun Devil Stadium and several of its other athletic facilities?

But those fans now have an answer to at least one of those. Rocky Harris, ASU’s senior associate athletic director, says there’s no reason to worry that the school’s facility upgrades will fall behind schedule while ASU searches for Patterson’s replacement.

“We won’t let that slow down because of Steve’s departure,” Harris told Arizona Sports 620’s Bickley and Marotta Thursday. “He took us down to the red zone, now it’s our turn to punch the ball in. He involved all of us in the process.”

ASU is in the planning stages of a major renovation or reconstruction of Sun Devil Stadium, and the project will begin when upper-level north end zone seating is removed after this season. The Sun Devils’ baseball team is also undergoing a facilities change, and will move to Phoenix Municipal Stadium starting in 2015.

“Some of the smaller things might be put aside for a few weeks,” Harris said. “But there’s no way we’re letting the big things take a side seat.”

Arizona State Football

Ricky Pearsall at the NFL Draft Combine...

Arizona Sports

Sun Devil-turned-Gator Ricky Pearsall taken in 1st round by 49ers

Ricky Pearsall joined fellow former Arizona State player Jayden Daniels as a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

8 hours ago

Jayden Daniels...

Arizona Sports

Former Arizona State QB Jayden Daniels selected 2nd overall by Commanders in NFL Draft

Former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels was drafted by the Washington Commanders with the No. 2 overall pick.

11 hours ago

Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada will transfer to Georgia, he announced. (Photo by Christian...

Damon Allred

Former Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada transferring to Georgia

Former Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada will transfer to national power Georgia, he announced on Instagram.

21 hours ago

Michael Crow...

Arizona Sports

Reports: Graham Rossini’s Arizona State AD candidacy receiving backlash from boosters

As Arizona State University works toward finding its athletic director, prime candidate Graham Rossini's potential hire is facing backlash.

1 day ago

Chamon Metayer...

Arizona Sports

Arizona State football lands TE Chamon Metayer from Colorado

Arizona State football football a red zone threat in tight end transfer Chamon Metayer, who spent this spring with Colorado.

2 days ago

The Arizona State Sun Devils...

Associated Press

NCAA to grant immediate eligibility for athletes no matter how many times they transfer

NCAA athletes are now eligible to play immediately no matter how many times they transfer — as long as they meet academic requirements.

3 days ago

ASU’s Harris: Facility upgrades won’t fall behind schedule