On Friday, the MSU Board of Trustees approved a plan for an $18 million expansion and renovation to the north end zone of Spartan Stadium. The proposed construction plan would renovate and add facilities to the stadium that are currently outdated and inadequate. The plan proposes a two-level addition, which includes a recruitment center on the concourse, media rooms, upgraded locker rooms and team areas and shell space for future restroom and concession areas. The project will be paid for through fundraising initiatives by the athletic department.

After the planning phase is completed within the next 10 days, the Board of Trustees will meet again to approve or deny the project moving forward into the construction phase.

With MSU football becoming a growing competitor to other teams in the NCAA, the university’s expanding football program requires quality facilities that match the quality of the program.

The current locker rooms, which are more than 50 years old and have had very few renovations in the last decade, are inadequate.

And press conferences currently take place in a small trailer, unable to accommodate the number of players and members of the press wishing to attend.

Renovations to the locker rooms and media rooms are necessary to provide adequate facilities for MSU’s players and press members who frequently cover MSU athletics.

Similar to the new scoreboards, the expansion of Spartan Stadium could boost ticket sales. More and more alumni and opponent spectators will want to see the updated stadium, meaning ticket sales could increase after this expansion is completed. The renovations also will make Spartan Stadium more aesthetically pleasing to MSU’s campus, as the current exterior of the stadium on the northern end does appear archaic. And compared to other stadiums such as University of Michigan’s “Big House,” MSU is behind.

And although funding is expected to come from fundraising and private donations, the recent trend has been an increase in ticket prices. Hopefully students won’t see an increase for the 2013 football season to fund the expansion.

Upon completion, this expansion will welcome prospective students and athletes to MSU’s campus and show them the elite football program this university is becoming known for.

This renovation also will reward the players and coaches who have been working tirelessly during the past decade to bolster MSU’s football program.

Ultimately, though, this expansion will solidify Spartan Stadium as the stunning centerpiece of MSU’s already beautiful campus.