Been immersed in Pilot Pen Tennis coverage all week (lucky me), but a loyal reader e-mailed to find out if Jordan Hamilton was on a visit to UConn this week, as I had written he might be a few weeks ago.

Turns out, Hamilton is on an unofficial at Storrs right now. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound Class of 2009 forward out of Dominguez High in Compton, Calif. would be a major coup for the UConn staff.

Hamilton was originally expected to attend Jim Calhoun's Connecticut Elite camp a few weeks ago but couldn't make it. He is the No. 2-rated small forward in the Class of '09, according to scout.com.

UConn just sent out the following press release announcing that HOK Sport will design a new practice facility for the men's and women's basketball teams:


STORRS, Conn (August 20, 2008) – The University of Connecticut Division of Athletics has hired HOK Sport, Inc. of Kansas City to coordinate architectural and design services for a new men’s and women’s basketball practice facility. HOK will also be developing plans for the p roposed relocation of Joseph J. Morrone Stadium, the home of UConn men’s and women’s soccer.

HOK’s work will include the design of a basketball facility, which will include practice space for both the Husky men’s and women’s teams, along with areas such as academic support, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, video services and coaches offices.

Included in the scoping and programming services performed by HOK will be a detailed plan of potential locations for the facility along with anticipated project costs. In addition, HOK will produce renderings to be utilized for University fundraising purposes.

As HOK begins this work, more than $5 million has been committed from interested donors and friends of the University for the project.

HOK Sport, based in Kansas City, Mo., is an internationally renowned sports facility design firm. The company’s client list is diverse and comprehensive, and includes 24 Major League Baseball franchises, 30 NFL franchises and 120 colleges and universities.

“After a lengthy, comprehensive selection process, we are pleased to partner with HOK Sport on this critical initiative,” says Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway. “HOK has extensive experience in the design of similar basketball facilities and has performed outstanding work for the University on past projects. Together, we will undertake a planning process which will result in greater opportunities for the student-athletes, coaches and support staff within our basketball programs. This will assist in enhancing the outstanding success which is associated with our UConn basketball programs under the direction of our Hall of Fame coaches Geno Auriemma and Jim Calhoun. This project is the Division’s top priority within our capital improvement master plan. For this facility to become a reality, we look forward to the ongoing and active participation of the entire UConn family, including coaches, staff, donors and other friends of the University.”

HOK will also be providing scoping and programming services for Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. The firm will focus on the proposed relocation of Morrone Stadium to the existing Memorial Stadium site.

“Our men’s and women’s soccer teams, under the leadership of Ray Reid and Len Tsantiris, are both elite national programs,” says Hathaway. “This project will be an important step in enhancing the success that both of our programs have enjoyed over the years. UConn has always been a national leader in soccer, and we will work closely with HOK to create an outstanding venue for our student-athletes, coaches and fans. Once again, we look forward to the participation of our coaches, staff and outstanding soccer supporters as we initiate the process.”

The planning process with HOK Sport will result in projected timelines for the completion of the various phases of these projects.