PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers University Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Multisport Training Complex, the first major initiative to be realized from the 2015 Athletics Master Plan, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1. The invitation-only event is open to the media and will take place adjacent to the Rutgers Athletics Center (RAC) in the south side (Scarlet) parking lot.

"This is more than just a groundbreaking," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Patrick Hobbs. "It's a statement that we intend to compete at the highest level by providing our coaches and students with best in class resources. It's a statement by the Rutgers faithful that they are all in."

The Complex is designed to be a 295,244-square foot, four-story building located on the Livingston Campus. It will occupy the site of the existing parking lot southwest of the RAC and northwest of the Business School. The building will provide a state-of-the-art practice facility for men's and women's basketball, wrestling and gymnastics. It will also include spaces for sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition and training table, administration, and a sports performance lab.

An Athletics Hall of Fame, spirit shop and training table will operate off of the main public entry lobby. An integrated multi-story parking deck will serve athletic functions, as well as academics and the future conference center.

"R Big Ten Build," a targeted campaign to raise $100 million for new or upgraded facilities, was launched on Jan. 20. Phase I, created in collaboration with the University Physical Master Plan, includes three projects: The Multisport Training Complex, a Lacrosse and Soccer Training Complex, and a Football Training Complex/Expansion of the Hale Center.

"R Big Ten Build" surpassed the $50 million milestone in just 15 weeks. The initiative has received 10 donations of more than $1 million, including the three largest gifts in Rutgers Athletics history, which combine to exceed $11 million. As of Oct. 17, in addition to the tax credit of $25 million, 1,571 donors had contributed $31.5 million, totaling $56.5 million toward the campaign.

Final approval from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for tax credits to help finance construction is pending.

To learn more about Rutgers Athletics Development and R Fund, please click here. For additional information or to make a donation to "R Big Ten Build," visit rutgersbigtenbuild.com. Follow R Fund (@R_Fund) on Twitter for additional news and updates.