SAN MARCOS, Calif. – A new era of Cal State San Marcos Athletics has arrived.  

The Department of Athletics officially unveiled its new on-campus facility, The Sports Center, on Thursday afternoon in a celebration that included CSUSM students, faculty, staff, fans and invited guests.

University President Dr. Karen S. Haynes and Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo shared the honors of cutting the ribbon in front of the new building, which took around 15 months to build at a price of $11.4 million.

"The Sports Center will tie our University closer to the region we serve, as a new destination for, not just exciting sports action, but also large-scale entertainment and educational programming," said President Haynes. "The Sports Center will play an important role in reinforcing a core value of our University Strategic Plan, that of 'community', and it will further enhance our reputation as a community-engaged institution."

The opening of the 25,000 square-foot facility officially brings all of Cal State San Marcos' teams home. After five seasons of playing volleyball and basketball off campus at local high schools and junior colleges, all of CSUSM's 13 teams will now being competing on campus. In addition, student-athletes now have a locker room to make it easier to transition from class to the practice and competition realm, in addition to a student-athlete lounge where they can bond with their respective teams.

"Today is an incredible beginning to feeling like we have truly arrived as we can now watch all 300 student-athletes compete here on campus and have a state-of-the-art place they can call home," said Milo. "I am proud of what we have accomplished but I am more inspired for what the future holds."

The Cougars are now in the final year of a three-year transition phase for full NCAA Division II membership. By 2017-18, CSUSM will be full NCAA Division II members and will be able to compete in the NCAA postseason for the first time.