By: Sam Boykin

A&M-San Antonio celebrated the grand opening of the Student Recreation Center this week, signaling a pivotal step forward for the University.

The 22,322-square-foot center boasts an expansive gym, locker rooms, a retractable volleyball net, and a competition basketball court that’s home to the new men’s and women’s basketball teams. Student fees, collected since 2014, paid for the majority of the $19.2 million facility.

“This facility would not be possible without student engagement and dedication,” said Art Olague, Director of Recreational Sports.

“This Student Recreation Center is dedicated to health and wellness,” added Darnell Smith, Director of Athletics. “And during basketball season, we plan to pack the house every single game.”

During the ceremony, the University also unveiled General the Jaguar’s fresh new look and outfit, which includes a jersey with the number “09,” a nod to the year A&M-San Antonio was founded. The University mascot was first introduced in 2010 and rebranded “The General” in 2016.

As we continue to grow as an institution, it felt appropriate to provide General with a fresh look that would embody the exciting change that is happening at Texas A&M-San Antonio,” said Olague.

Chris Minner, the women’s basketball coach, and Chris Dial, who coaches the men’s team, also addressed the 500 or so faculty, staff and students at the opening ceremony, urging everyone to support the new teams and attend the opening games on Oct. 28. The center can seat about 900 people.

“This is about as cool as it gets,” said Dial. “I grew up on the South Side, and we never had anything like this center.”

Minner said he’s determined to put together the best intercollegiate basketball team for women in South Texas and lauded past and present students for helping make the recreation center a reality. “Students, you made this happen,” he said. “Just imagine what you can do next.”

President Salvador Hector Ochoa called the Student Recreation Center “the new heart of the campus” and an important step in the University’s continued growth. In addition to the recreation center, Estella Hall, the student residence hall, also opened recently. Other projects in the works include the on-campus childcare facility Educare, as well as a competition NCAA track and softball stadium, all of which are scheduled to start construction in