Practice is not just a fair-weather proposition, thanks to the Caperton Indoor Facility, located adjacent to the Puskar Center and Mountaineer Field.

Dedicated in August, 1998, and named in honor of former Gov. Gaston Caperton, the versatile modern indoor workout space is equipped with a 90-yard FieldTurf playing surface with seven yards of safety zone surrounding the entire field. Total length from wall to wall is 105 yards, with more than 75,000 square feet of practice room. Skylights provide natural lighting and just out back is easy access to WVU's 170-yard grass practice field.

The indoor structure also has a high-tech netting system that also allows for soccer and baseball practice. The facility is equipped with men's and women's locker and restroom facilities, as well as a training room and storage areas.

Former Mountaineer football coach Don Nehlen worked long and hard to make the $9 million facility a reality. Final approval of the facility came in June of 1997 and construction began a few weeks later.

The project was the first of its kind for a state university to employ the innovative "design-build" concept. The building's architects and engineers worked together to develop the project all in one bid. The winning design came from the team of Ratio Architects and March Westin.

Located where the former upper parking lot once was for the Milan Puskar Center, the modern structure features the distinctive "Flying WV" on its exterior and inside banners highlighting West Virginia's Big East football championship adorn the west wall.

The Caperton Indoor Facility makes it possible for West Virginia student-athletes to practice year-round in a safe and secure facility. It was something the Mountaineer program needed for a long time and its benefits will continue to be realized well into the 21st Century.