It begins with a thought, a belief, a desire to stretch ourselves beyond what we think is possible.
WE CAVALIERS
ELEVATING ACHIEVEMENT
Current Athletics Complex (2018)
Interim Athletics Complex (2019/2020)
Completed Athletics Complex (2022)
The new complex, with an estimated cost of $180 million, includes a new Football Operations Center, a new Olympic Sports Center designed to provide support to all 750 student-athletes competing in 27 varsity sports, three new natural grass practice fields and the renovation of the McCue Center, the current home of Virginia football and the primary office building for athletics administration and a majority of our coaches.
COMPETITORS TO THE CORE
The complex includes a new Football Operations Center. The current home of Virginia Football, the McCue Center, opened in 1991 and is no longer suitable to house the needs of a Power 5 conference football program. Since the McCue Center opened, every current ACC football program has renovated or opened a new support facility.
The Football Operations Center will feature a locker room, position rooms, a team meeting room, coaches and staff offices as well as areas for strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports nutrition, video operations and an equipment room.
“The overall master plan for Virginia's athletics program, and specifically football, is a complete game changer. It makes a statement – to our players and to our recruits. We will compete on a national stage. This plan for football accelerates that reality. It is the catalyst required to align our competitive intentions with the great academic pursuits on Grounds because we believe in AND.
“We want our student-athletes to excel in everything they do and to have their best chance to learn in facilities that will promote that, in a building that says it is important and with the resources to then help them reach their potential. The Center provides them a pathway to do just that, without any boundaries and without any barriers. It gives us equal footing with our competitors to achieve what we all want – exceptional football with exceptional people who are exceptional students.” – HEAD FOOTBALL COACH BRONCO MENDENHALL
OUR POTENTIAL IS UNBOUND
As we increase funding for the education of our student-athletes.
Imagine a complete performance center where student-athletes train, refuel, prepare for competition, pursue their academic interests, learn from subject matter experts as they seek opportunities following graduation and develop important leadership skills that will last a lifetime.
The Olympic Sports Center replaces the operations that were housed in University Hall, Onesty Hall and the Cage and contains programming that will benefit every Virginia student-athlete.
The Olympic Sports Center will feature locker rooms, position rooms, team meeting rooms, coaches and staff offices as well as areas for strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports nutrition, video operations and an equipment room.
The Center for Citizen Leaders and Sports Ethics will be housed in the Olympic Sports Center. UVA has long been a leader in innovation and discovery. Not only will our student-athletes have the unique opportunity for industry-leading programming in career development, leadership development, personal development and community engagement as an integral part of their UVA experience, but these services will be housed in the hub of activity for student-athletes. Additionally, academic support services designed with the demanding schedules of our student-athletes in mind will be prominently located with the Center. These conveniently located services give UVA student-athletes the best opportunity to compete in their sport and compete in life. For us, education is more than a degree.
“The facilities master plan illustrates a commitment by our athletics department to offer unparalleled facilities and experiences for all of our student athletes. For our baseball program, and all of our sports programs, these facilities are vital for the continued commitment to having the best athletics department in the country.” – HEAD BASEBALL COACH BRIAN O'CONNOR
“This master plan is the most exciting development women’s lacrosse has seen since Klöckner Stadium was built. It will enhance everything our student-athletes use each and every day from a modernized locker room, learning and training spaces to nutrition and academic support. The additional fields will be tremendous. Having access to the best of training space is critically important to preparing for the toughest competition. Our current student-athletes and recruits will be inspired by our facilities and even more excited to compete for the University of Virginia.” - HEAD WOMEN'S LACROSSE COACH JULIE MYERS
The Master Athletics Complex will include three new natural grass practice fields – two for football and one multi-sport field. The two new natural grass practice fields are for football’s continued growth. The fields will be adjacent to the George Welsh Indoor Practice Facility and the Football Operations Center. Currently, the football program does not have a natural grass practice field.
Once vacated, the McCue Center will be renovated to accommodate athletics department staff members located in Bryant Hall, including the Virginia Athletics Foundation and external operations.
“We have a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity to push UVA into the forefront of college athletics with this new master plan. This is a significant step and we cannot do this any other way than the right way. The vision of making Virginia the best athletic department in the country is in front of us and with everyone’s support we can make this a reality!” – HEAD WOMEN'S SOCCER COACH STEVE SWANSON
“Sweeping change is coming. Having witnessed the unveiling of the facility plans, our collective adrenaline is sky high. For the supporters of Virginia Lacrosse, we now have the answers to your questions: ‘What do you need?’ and ‘How can I help?’ A fantastic path has been provided for us and our donors. Taking this journey together will be a tremendously rewarding experience.” – HEAD MEN'S LACROSSE COACH LARS TIFFANY
The athletics master plan will be funded through donor contributions and there are a variety of naming opportunities available to recognize this generous support.
This facility project will be the signature component of the athletics portion of the University’s upcoming capital campaign.
Continued support of the Virginia Athletics Foundation annual fund, scholarship endowment and special operational gifts will be critical to the overall success of the athletics campaign that is expected to total $500 million through 2025.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of the new Olympic sports complex to the success of our program. We want to win at the highest level and a facility like that positions us to compete with the most successful programs in our sport. More specifically, this building will be a game changer in terms of recruiting for our program while providing the best possible training environment for our current student-athletes. As an alumnus, and former competitor here at UVA, I can tell you that this facility will be something we can all be proud of for years to come.” – HEAD WRESTLING COACH STEVE GARLAND
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How soon will construction begin? ... Abatement of University Hall, Onesty Hall and the Cage will begin later this fall. Those buildings will then be demolished. We expect construction of the Master Plan complex to begin in the summer of 2020.
Q: What new buildings are part of the Master Plan? ... A new Football Operations Center will be constructed along with a new Olympic Sports Center. The Master Plan also calls for the renovation of the McCue Center and the construction of three natural grass practice fields.
Q: What programming will be included in these new facilities? ... The facilities will include locker rooms, position rooms, team meeting rooms, coaches and staff offices as well as areas for strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports nutrition, video operations and equipment. The Olympic Sports Center will also house UVA’s Center for Citizen Leaders and Sports Ethics. This Master Plan will benefit all of UVA’s 750 student-athletes competing across 27 varsity sports.
Q: What will be the impact to parking in the area of the master plan? ... We expect to gain parking spaces in the athletics precinct once the Master Plan is complete. A University-wide parking study is underway and the athletics precinct will be included in this overall plan.
Q: What is the timeline for the demolition of University Hall? ... We are selecting a firm to implement abatement and demolition of University Hall, Onesty Hall and the Cage. The schedule will be determined by the selected firm. We anticipate demolition to begin in late fall of 2019.
Q: Are there any plans to preserve parts of University Hall? ... Not of the building, but the last basketball court that was used in University Hall has been re-purposed in a number of ways: 1.) Some of the panels are used in John Paul Jones Arena to extend the court in the arena available for practice. 2.) Pieces of the floor are used in the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms at John Paul Jones Arena. 3.) A section of the court is used as floor in the Whole Foods grocery store in Charlottesville. 4.) Manufacturing is underway for licensed products using pieces of the court to be offered for sale at CavalierTeamShop.com. 5. )Sections are being stored for future use in displays at John Paul Jones Arena.
Q: If you are constructing a new facility for football and the Olympic sports programs, what will be the use of the McCue Center? ... Administrative offices will remain in the McCue Center. In addition, the Virginia Athletics Foundation and the athletics department’s external relations units will be moved into McCue once football and our Olympic sport coaches move into new facilities.