Facilities: Western Illinois University began renovating the east side of Hanson Field after the completion of its 2006 football season. The renovation plan includes new bleachers, increased seating capacity, a new entrance, restrooms and concession stands. The original wood bleachers will be replaced with aluminum seating for 5,000, an increase of about 1,200. Construction is expected to be complete by the start of the 2007 season. A second phase will consist of enhancements to the west side of the stadium, including a press box, coaches offices, meeting and classroom space and corporate suites ... The University of Notre Dame will renovate the Edmund P. Joyce Center arena, home to the basketball and volleyball teams. The $25 million project will feature new chair-back seating and a new two-story structure at the south end of the building. The renovation also will include a new main entrance, club seating and accompanying hospitality area, women’s restrooms, concession areas, ticket offices and a new varsity shop. The bulk of the renovation will be paid for through private donations, including a $12.5 million gift from Notre Dame alumnus and university trustee Philip J. Purcell, the retired chair and CEO of Morgan Stanley. Tampa Bay Devil Rays chairman Vincent J. Naimoli also made a $5 million gift.

Milestones: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, senior volleyball player Meredith Nelson served four aces during an 18-0 service run — the longest in NCAA history. Nelson accomplished the feat November 11 against Northwestern University, eventually scoring 19 service points over the course of the match ... North Carolina A&T State University volleyball player Arlene Mitchell became the first Aggies player to tally 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career November 10. The Aggies lost the match to Gardner-Webb University on the road, but Mitchell recorded 11 digs and 14 kills, bringing her totals to 1,010 and 1,645, respectively.

Miscellaneous: Denver Nuggets star and former Syracuse University student-athlete Carmelo Anthony pledged $3 million to the school for a new basketball practice facility. The building, named for Anthony, will include two practice courts, men’s and women’s locker rooms and offices. Anthony led the Orange to the 2003 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. He also is a member of the U.S. team that will play at the 2008 Olympics. Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim is an assistant coach of that team ... The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 2007 class November 12. Inductees include University of Georgia coach Andy Landers and former players Andrea Lloyd Curry, University of Texas at Austin; Pam (Kelly) Flowers, Louisiana Tech University; and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, standouts Daedra Charles-Furlow and Bridget Gordon. Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Mel Greenberg will also be enshrined. With the induction of the 2007 class, the Hall of Fame will have 97 members. It opened in 1999.