AUSTIN, TX — Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently unveiled renovations and additions to the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, now named the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center, an 85,000-square-foot expansion to enhance player development and the fan experience. Designed by Pfluger Architects and built by White Construction, the facility includes a new upper-level hospitality, banquet space, and exterior concourses, plus major upgrades to the field house, including an 8,000-square-foot weight room, 3,000-square-foot training room, and more.
Built in 1981, Texas State University’s Bobcat Stadium has been the site of the NBC TV show “Friday Night Lights,” the Texas Special Olympics, and the NCAA Division I Bobcat football team. But for Texas State University, the existing 20-year-old End Zone Complex needed an upgrade to compete for player and coaching talent. Texas State University’s football program is quickly ascending, as indicated by the university recently joining the Pac-12 Conference, and a modern facility was needed to enhance player performance, recruit and retain coaches and athletes, and elevate the fan experience.
Completed in time for the first home game kickoff, the Pfluger Architects-designed End Zone Complex now includes major features for player development and wellness, such as in-ground hydrotherapy and cold-plunge pools, meeting spaces, locker room enhancements, and a barber shop. The modern training facility focuses on player recovery and wellbeing, with a complete suite of physical care spaces for student athletes. The expansive new facility completes circulation for the 30,000-capacity stadium, with exterior concourses connecting indoor lounges directly to the stadium and a new elevator providing upper-level access.
“The university’s vision to have a facility to help student-athletes reach their full potential drove our design, putting player and team wellness at the forefront,” said Chris Lammers, AIA, Project Manager and Higher Education Practice Director for Pfluger. “Everything in the space planning, design, and programmatic needs was driven by efficiency and maximizing every minute to make Texas State’s players better athletes. We designed the stadium addition to fit seamlessly into the rest of campus and the existing stadium, unifying elements across the board.”
In addition to the new weight room and training area for player development, the space includes a players’ lounge and lobby/community area with interactive and digital displays. Another feature is the hospitality suite opening onto a rooftop terrace with stadium views. The Grand Central hallway connects the complex with the other stadium facilities and provides branding opportunities and displays for player recruitment. An expanded concourse bridge connects to the shaded outdoor terrace, where fans can cheer for the players as they run onto the field from the weight room below. A hospitality suite and concessions bar directly behind the goal post offers views of the on-field action. The hospitality suite also doubles as a space for team meals and gatherings on non-game days.
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The project began in 2020 with architecture partner Perkins+Will as a feasibility study for player wellness enhancements and resulted in an expansive renovation and addition to the complex. Pfluger’s design is intentionally built to receive future enhancements as Texas State University plans additional facilities and future stadium additions to complement the growth of the Pac-12 Conference football program.
