BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — UAB expects to begin construction of a new football operations center this summer after receiving a naming sponsorship and board approval.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the expanded project on Friday. The facilities will include a covered practice field funded by Legacy Community Federal Credit Union's $4.2 million, 20-year naming rights sponsorship.

The Football Operations Center is approved for up to $22.5 million including practice fields.

Blazers coach Bill Clark expects the new facilities to be fully functional by the time his team resumes play in 2017. The program was disbanded after the 2015 season and later resurrected.

Clark says the sponsorship allowed UAB to expand its plans for a new facility and "will greatly accelerate our competitiveness on the field and on the recruiting trail."