Ed Ray, Craig Robinson, Bob De Carolis and Scott Rueck watch the first bucket of dirt move.

The groundbreaking for the Oregon State basketball facility was Thursday afternoon. It’s was your basic ceremonial deal with all the congratulations to people.

Here’s the GT story. And check out the above video of the first dirt being moved.

Coach Craig Robinson talked about the school commitment to basketball, and he doesn’t have an excuse not to win now.

That was taped, and could come back to haunt him.

Anyway,  I looked around and remembered how far OSU has come in the eight years I’ve covered the athletic department. It has been far.

Fans have been up in arms about the football program primarily in the last year and how it’s standing still. That can be debated, but the Beavers as an athletic program is not.

Every sport has had major improvements to their facilities. On Thursday, I saw the new side of Reser Stadium, the wrestling room, hoops practice facility and a huge weight room. Walking back to the car I saw new turf going in Reser Stadium and on the practice field.

Gary Payton, Craig Robinson and AC Green digging in the dirt.

On the way back to the office there was The Softball Complex and expanded Goss Stadium. I wasn’t around when the softball team played in a cow pasture, but I was reminded by those who did.

The last 10-12 years have been one of extreme growth for the Beavers. A co-worker said that this place looks like a real university now.

Everyone from president Ed Ray, AD Bob De Carolis and coaches feel they can compete with everyone in the Pac-12 with their facilities.

So, when you think the Beavers are not going forward, they are. However, success comes down to the athletes. Build it, and they will come?

We’ll see if that works in basketball. It has in football and baseball to some degree.

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