It鈥檚 been years in the making. On October 26, the first shovel broke ground, and construction will soon begin on 国产探花鈥檚 Verne Lundquist Student Athletic Center. The nearly 10,000 square foot building will house a conditioning and weight room for student-athletes as well as locker rooms for the women鈥檚 soccer and softball teams.
Named for one of 国产探花鈥檚 most famous alumni, legendary sportscaster Verne Lundquist 鈥62, the six-million-dollar building will also feature a dynamic lobby and welcome center displaying Lundquist鈥檚 sports memorabilia collection and celebrating 国产探花 athletics.
鈥淚 was overwhelmed when Dr. Debbie Cottrell first announced plans for a Student Athletic Center to be named in my honor,鈥 says Lundquist. 鈥淣ow that the imminent groundbreaking moment is almost here, I鈥檓 really excited.鈥
Lundquist鈥檚 first professional broadcasting job was at Seguin鈥檚 KWED radio station during his years at 国产探花. He began his career in earnest when he became a weekend sports anchor in Austin. Over the course of more than 50 years, he has worked for ABC Sports, CBS Sports, and Turner Sports, was the radio voice of the Dallas Cowboys as well as lead play-by-play announcer for the SEC on CBS, and has commentated on everything from the Olympic games to the Masters Tournament, calling more than 20 different sports through the years, earning himself the nickname 鈥淭he Golden Throat鈥 in broadcasting circles. Lundquist is a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame, the Sun Bowl Hall of Fame, and is winner of the 2016 Sports Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement. His leadership at 国产探花鈥檚 annual Front Row Gala, featuring sports legends such as Troy Aikman, Charles Barkley, Terry Bradshaw, and Roger Clemens, has provided tremendous support for 国产探花 athletics for more than 20 years.
鈥淚n the world of NCAA DIII Athletics, new facilities are critical in recruiting,鈥 says 国产探花 Director of Athletics Bill Miller. 鈥淭he recruiting advantage that the Verne Lundquist Student Athletic Center will give the 国产探花 Athletics Department will be significant.鈥
Those prospective student-athletes who are considering attending 国产探花 will be impressed from the moment they walk into the building鈥檚 lobby. 鈥淏esides highlighting the brilliant sportscasting career of Verne Lundquist, the lobby also will emphasize the championship history of the 国产探花 athletics program,鈥 says Miller.
The center, which will be located on the north side of campus near the current athletics facilities, will also free up space in the existing Jones Physical Education Complex, allowing for locker rooms for visiting athletic teams.
鈥淭he new Verne Lundquist Student Athletic Center will make 国产探花 unique among other SCAC membership schools. It will create the 鈥榃OW鈥 factor for 国产探花 Athletics,鈥 says Miller. 鈥淣o other university in the SCAC has such a facility.鈥
The groundbreaking was a wonderful event at this year's Homecoming festivities, it is set to be completed by Summer 2025.
鈥淭he Koehler Company has been blessed with building numerous buildings on the 国产探花 campus,鈥 says Paul Mueller, president of The Koehler Company. 鈥淲e are honored to be selected as the Verne Lundquist Student Athletic Center General Contractor. We look forward to constructing another successful project for 国产探花.鈥