PROJECT OVERVIEW
OWNER
University of Colorado Athletics
CONFERENCE
PAC-12
VENUE(S)
CU Events Center
Boulder, Colorado
DESIGNERS
Shield Lockers
MANUFACTURER
Shield Lockers
COMPLETION DATE
2019
FEATURES/SCOPE
18 Men's Basketball Lockers
PLAYER LOCKER SIZE
33″ W x 27″ - 42” D x 95″ H
Championship custom basketball lockers for the Conference of Champions
In 2019, University of Colorado Athletics worked with KC-based design firm Populous and Shield Lockers on redesigning the Colorado Buffaloes basketball and volleyball lockers in the CU Events Center to stay competitive in recruiting and provide a better experience for student-athletes.
Over the last three years, Populous and CU Athletics leaders, along with Denver-based design-build firm M.A. Mortenson, completed a game-changing $150 million capital investment project that centralized the Colorado Buffs’ athletics programs. The bar had been set high, and the renovations at the events center needed to seamlessly enculturate the elevated branding and student experience in which the Buffs were growing accustomed to.
Challenge accepted.
CU Athletics had three strategic goals for the men's basketball locker room:
- Upgrade lockers to provide a more cohesive environment for student-athletes
- Create a sophisticated team lounge with furniture, TV's, and a team meeting space
- Improve the showers by creating individual spaces for players
The project team knew that locker rooms aren’t just functional layouts and sophisticated furniture. They’re social watering holes that host a variety of interactions and experiences between players and coaches, cultivating friendships, collaboration, and teamwork among one another both on and off the court. It was important for the design team to create a cohesive environment that not only nurtured this development, but was also a space that student-athletes could feel proud to represent.
The results are spectacular and a significant transformation for the Colorado Buffaloes Basketball locker room. Acrylic solid surface is the primary material from which the lockers are constructed. Clean and modern in appearance, this material is also incredibly durable, bleach-cleanable, microbial-resistant, repairable, and waterproof. This construction allows facilities and maintenance staff to increase the frequency of disinfection using an ionized bleach sprayer without compromising or degrading the locker finish. Populous also incorporated a programmable room lighting scheme that allows for dramatic moods changes between everyday and game day demands. Key features of the locker include:
- Integrated USB and power for charging and electronics usage inside lockable storage compartment
- Soft-close waterproof storage drawer with custom routing for ventilation
- Additional soft-close drawers for storage
- Soft-close overhead storage with inset branded routing
- Backlit acrylic nameplates with quick release magnetic fasteners
- Jersey display accent light
- LED-toekick lighting
- Laser-etched custom hanging hooks
- Marine-grade vinyl seat cushions with lumbar support
- Lifetime Warranty
“We loved the look of Shield Lockers and the way they incorporate solid surface materials. My concern was the durability and construction," remarked Jason DePaepe, senior associate athletics director of internal operations. "I couldn’t be more impressed with the process used by Shield and the high quality parts they incorporate. These lockers will hold up to the daily use much better than their wood counterparts. Shield Lockers are top of the line.”
In total, 18 custom basketball player lockers found their new home at the CU Event Center, strengthening friendly, disciplined, and competitive player development as the program grows both on and off the court.