MSU hopes to break ground on new Dudy Noble next June

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State plans to break ground on a new baseball stadium next June, but a few hurdles remain in the path, athletic director Scott Stricklin announced in his weekly newsletter on Wednesday.

Stricklin said the project to build a new Dudy Noble Field was initially approved for $40 million. However, estimates now place the plans at $55 million. Mississippi State can't break ground until it receives approval by the IHL. Once it does, MSU plans to start construction in June 2017 and have enough construction in place by spring 2018 to host baseball games.

Stricklin also released plans for renovations of Davis Wade Stadium and Humphrey Coliseum. He listed restrooms, concessions, concourses and possibly premium seating as upgrades to the Hump.

Updates to Davis Wade Stadium would include renovating the east concourse to match the work done on the west and north concourses. Stricklin also wrote about plans to upgrade the Floyd Wade Club and the press box.

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.