Colin Fowler

The University of Michigan's Schembechler Hall Renovation represented a very special opportunity for me. As an alumnus, the opportunity to give back to an institution that holds such a special place in my heart was humbling.

There are multiple touchpoints throughout the 11,000 square foot experience, from the etched glass Michigan Man anthem that immediately greets visitors at the entry, to the fully interactive, 3x5 screen digital wall in the auditorium. Users get to experience Michigan's rich football tradition through both physical and digital interactions.

The Win Wall is the primary feature within the space. We created a double height glass wall that displays a football for every win in the history of Michigan's football program. At the start of every season, balls representing each opponent in the upcoming season are displayed in a case in front of the wall. At the end of the season, each win is transferred to the wall to continue their unparalleled winning tradition.

The Fudge Football Development Center is a state-of-the-art D-I football facility, providing a dynamic experience for student-athletes, coaches and staff. This standalone facility houses coaches’ offices, team meeting spaces, dedicated position meeting rooms, video and film rooms, a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning room, an athletics medicine space that includes space for traditional therapy and hydrotherapy, a nutrition fueling station, equipment storage, locker room and student-athlete lounge.

The Fudge Football Development Center is a 14,460-square-foot expansion of the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Practice Facility, which created a full-size field and a new front entry, lobby, second-level bridge access connecting the Fudge Center and Allison Indoor Practice Facility, and new offices for the football program's coaching staff.

Baylor has some special traditions for football, the most notable of which is the Baylor Line. Prior to each home football game, the Line (an organization composed entirely of new incoming students) gathers at the south end of McLane Stadium and, led by the cheers of alumni and fans, runs onto the field and created an enormous human tunnel to welcome the football team to McLane Stadium.

The connection between the students and the football team is palpable in these moments, and we wanted to bring some of that enduring tradition and energy across the Brazos, and into the new facility. To accomplish this, we ran a Gold Line from the front entry Lobby, through the Bridge that runs from lobby to facility, and into the Recruit Lounge, looping back to the Lobby it in a continuous architectural embrace. Dimensional letters reading “Guide Us As We Onward Go” start the Bridge journey, echoing the words from the Baylor Fight Song, reinforcing the journey each committed recruit and enrolled athlete will take while at Baylor.Along the left side of the Bridge, as you enter the facility, Baylor Greats, looming larger than life, are presented as shining examples of performance, spirituality, leadership, and commitment in all aspects of life.

The rest of the facility reinforces the Baylor brand and the program’s commitment to the mantra “Better People Make Better Players.”

The Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center is the downtown training and practice home of the Milwaukee Bucks. This 77,500 square foot facility holds all of the necessary accommodations to comfortably house an NBA team with ample workout spaces, rehabilitation areas, leisure spaces and collaborative office environments.

The Sports Science Center boasts world-class amenities throughout, including two full-sized basketball courts, an expansive strength training room with a cardio deck overlooking the space, three hydrotherapy pools, top-of-the-line player amenities including a new player lounge, spacious locker room area, an outpost of Gee’s Clippers barbershop, kitchen area overseen by the team’s personal chef and dietitian, a Gatorade fueling station, a media workroom and office space for the team’s coaches, general manager and basketball staff.

We leaned in the Bucks “Fear the Deer” rallying cry, and other brand elements, throughout the facility. The barber shop is a nod to Milwaukee native Gaulien “Gee” Smith’s iconic Milwaukee barbershop. A collection of historic logos and marks, subtly telling the story of the franchises history through graphic wallpaper, lines one wall. A custom barbershop pole was created with the brand colors: Good Land Green, Cream City Cream, and Great Lakes Blue.

In the locker room, we created a custom camp pattern, layering various shades of green logomark M’s. The pattern creates a striking accent wall at the far end of the locker room.

Snapdragon Stadium is a 35,000-seat multipurpose venue owned by San Diego State University and managed by OVG360. As part of SDSU Mission Valley, Snapdragon Stadium serves as a year-round entertainment destination and hub of community engagement. The venue is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and manages sustainability efforts as a top priority. Snapdragon Stadium is home to SDSU Aztec Football, San Diego FC of Major League Soccer, and San Diego Wave FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. In addition to tenant events, Snapdragon Stadium hosts a myriad of events including concerts, festivals, dirt shows, international sporting events, championships, community events, private and corporate events and more.

From the beginning of this project, SDSU made it very clear that the goal was to create a space that felt as much a community space as a SDSU competition venue.

To accomplish this, the experience strategy incorporates historical storytelling, SDSU sports/athletic touchpoints, local concessions vendors, community sourced public art, and multiple executions that pay tribute to the area’s indigenous tribes; including a public land acknowledgement statement. When creating this strategy, we saw the overall experience as a woven tapestry of touchpoints, with storytelling and experiences overlapping both surprisingly and organically.

Crisler Arena at the University of Michigan was a relic that needed a major refresh. The concourses were narrow and dark, and the visitor experience was antiquated.

Our architect partner did a masterful job of opening up the arena, allowing space for us to integrate the branded experience. From the fight song embedded in the terrazzo flooring to interactive monitors at 20 intervals around the concourse. visitors can experience the Michigan brand at multiple levels.

Incorporating the new Hall of Honor, The House That Cazzie Built is a shrine to Michigan basketball, as well as all varsity sports and current and former student-athletes.

The Jeff Jacobs J.A.M. Center is the new home of both San Diego State University basketball programs.

We created custom light fixtures within each locker room that mimics the Aztec shield carried by the football team on gamedays. In the women's lounge, the Team First display allows coaches to change out images and messaging easily, honoring and speaking directly to the student-athletes within the program, as well as recruits.

Outside the locker rooms, a custom cabinet carries the Aztec theme of obsidian (black glass).

In the practice gym, their famous student section, The Show, is displayed prominently, as well as their famous chant "I believe that we will win."

The Carleton Ravens reintroduced their football program in 2013 after a 15 year hiatus. Along with a rebranding project, I also led a locker room renovation project.

On a relatively tight budget, we were able to design and implement a signature lighting element in the lounge space of the team's new locker room. The new logo shield hangs just proud of a lit nest like lattice work chandelier. The results are a stunning brand moment that is used as both a social media backdrop and a recruiting tool.

William Davidson is heralded for many triumphs. He was a University of Michigan athlete, a fierce competitor, a titan of industry, and world winning owner in three sports. He was also a devoted philanthropist, family man, friend, mentor, and much more. Simply known as Bill by the many he touched, he was a devoted supporter of his friends, family, employees, and his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

When his family made a donation to the University in his honor to help build the new basketball Player Development Center, the Athletic Department wanted to properly honor Bill in a place of prominence within the building.

Underneath all the success, Bill was a humble, integrity-bound man, who preferred to stay close to his beloved teams, while deflecting the inevitable spotlight that often sought to shine upon him. We wanted to celebrate Bill’s legacy in a manner he’d prefer—simply, elegantly, forever near the action, where his memory can cheer and watch over the development of generations of UM athletes.

We placed a collection of 86 custom pendant lights (one for each year of his life) throughout the lobby, starting at the entry vestibule, slowly gathering above a custom made stone bench. The bench has an internally lit, stacked glass seat that displays life lessons Bill taught his son while growing up; lessons his son credits with making him the adult he has become.