Liberty will expand Williams Stadium and the Vines Center, adding seating − along with other improvements − in both venues.

The school is planning a fund-raising campaign, including the sale of naming rights for portions of the two facilities, to pay for the upgrades.

The $22 million, three-phase project will begin with the addition of 6,600 seats to the west side of the stadium, as well as a 34,000-square-foot press box. The box will include club-level seating for donors, 16 luxury suites, a banquet room, a classroom and a state-of-the-art press area. The second phase will add a 4,000-seat mid-deck to the east side of the stadium and 6,400 seats in the south end zone. The project is expected to bring stadium capacity to 30,000 seats over the next five years, with the possibility for future construction to double that number.

“You cannot ignore the importance of facilities in recruiting,” said Liberty head football coach Danny Rocco. “Kids always look for nicer facilities and to be a part of a team where they feel the program is an important overall part of the university. Above all, it just shows a great commitment from our university’s administration to get our program to a level of national prominence.”

The Vines Center − home to men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and wrestling − will add a 3,000-seat balcony as well as columns and a brick exterior.