Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders: The Sports Center
California State University San Marcos Department of Athletics, founded in 1998, offers talented student-athletes opportunities that will benefit them for a lifetime. These dedicated men and women receive an excellent education while performing at the highest levels of intercollegiate competition. Fifty percent of CSUSM student-athletes have a 3.0 grade point average or higher and, on average, serve over 100 hours of community service each year. During the 2013-2014 academic year, the department ranked 10th in the NAIA Director's Cup among over 290 institutions. The department is currently completing its last year as an independent, non-conference institution within the NAIA; Cougar Athletics was accepted to begin the NCAA DII candidacy period this academic year. The department will need to successfully complete the three-year NCAA transition process in order to gain full NCAA Division II membership.
The Need for a New Sports Facility
The current home of the Cougars, The M. Gordon Clarke Field House, features only a half-basketball court gymnasium. Currently, men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball are practicing and playing off campus at a local high school and community college. Because current CSUSM facilities do not meet NCAA minimum standards, it is imperative that CSUSM show progress towards building a facility for the institution's court sports that meets the NCAA criteria.
A Home for Cougar Athletics
Cal State San Marcos Athletics wants to bring all of its teams home. The Sports Center will serve as the new home for men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, as well as all 320 student-athletes.
The new 25,000-square foot facility would involve an expansion of
The M. Gordon Clarke Field House, located in the heart of campus at the corner of E. Barham and Campus View Drive. It will include:
- Seating for 1,400 spectators of basketball and volleyball in an NCAA-compliant setting
- Ticket office
- Concession stand
- Expanded sports medicine training room
- Home and visiting team locker rooms
- Student-athlete lounge
- Officials/umpires locker rooms
- Media office for press conferences
- Administrative offices for coaches
- LED lighting
- Athletics Hall of Fame
In addition, The Sports Center will improve recruitment and retention of student-athletes. In today's competitive educational market, every small detail influences a student's and parent's choice. Student-athletes will be drawn to the state-of-the-art facility where they will be able to succeed on and off the court.
"The Sports Center will not only benefit the men's basketball program, but the University as a whole. It will embody not only the students but embrace the regional community with a spirit and enthusiasm that Cal State San Marcos has yet to experience." - Head Men's Basketball Coach Jim Saia
A Center for Students and the Community
More than just a home for CSUSM athletic teams, The Sports Center will build upon and expand
The M. Gordon Clarke Field House's current offerings to become a destination for fitness and recreation that every student will want to enjoy. The benefits of exercise in enhancing student well-being and retention are well documented. Members of the extended CSUSM community will be welcomed to campus to enjoy lecture series' and concerts, special events and seminars, and youth camps and clinics.
Creating this highly visible facility will foster pride and promote a greater sense of community on campus. It will enhance school pride for current students while providing alumni with increased opportunities to reconnect with their alma mater. Equally important, it will serve as a center of entertainment, athletics and educational programming to the entire region. In this way, The Sports Center will be a gateway to showcasing CSUSM's educational mission and programs while providing a rallying point of pride for North County.
"The impact to our program is immeasurable. Every great university has a meeting place where the campus and community can come together and celebrate the joy and passion that is college athletics." - Head Volleyball Coach Andrea Leonard
