STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Elite facilities are the norm across Tarleton State University, and for Tarleton State Athletics, another game-changing facility opened on Friday that will service Tarleton State's student-athletes.
In a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning at Wisdom Gym in Stephenville, Tarleton State opened its state-of-the-art Texans Athletic Performance Center, an all-sport strength and conditioning space.
"This is a strategic investment in the student-athlete, the development there-of, it's going to enhance recruitment, it's going to elevate program prestige and overall competitive success at the Division I level," Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley said. "It's also keeping our promise to be excellent in all things here at Tarleton State, and you all know it's always grounded in academic success."
Hundreds of Tarleton State student-athletes were onsite to help open the Texans Athletic Performance Center on Friday, a space that has replaced Wisdom Volleyball Gym. Texan Volleyball's permanent home is now Wisdom Gym, and both Texan Basketball programs will move into the EECU Center soon.
"Make no mistake, this is one of the premier athletic performance centers in the country, and a game-changer for Texan Athletics," Vice President and Director of Athletics
Steve Uryasz said. "I want to sincerely thank President Hurley for his unwavering commitment to athletics. This incredible facility wouldn't have been possible without his vision and leadership."
The Texans Athletic Performance Center is an 8,000-square foot space with 32-foot ceilings that offers resistance training, cardiovascular options, a plyometric area, injury accommodation, technology for assessment, technology for databasing, athlete hydration, plus office space for Tarleton State Athletic Performance staff.
Natural light has been added to the space with the addition of windows on the south wall of the facility, as studies show this improves the functionality of the space and athlete performance.
The equipment selected can accommodate up to 65 athletes in a single session, per industry standard recommendations. The equipment is best in class for durability, longevity, and safety, including 21 racks in the space.
Amenities include a special nutrition bar in the space to keep student-athletes fueled and hydrated, plus a state-of-the-art sound reinforcement system that provides for rich quality sound, and multi-function video screens that can play educational presentations, workouts, leaderboards, along with enhancing recruiting visits with highlight videos. There will also be show lights that are synchronized with music to further elevate the performance center.
