Nov. 13, 2015

Hocutt noted that due to a number of significant gifts received over the last six months, the university is now within $4 million of its fundraising goal. In order to reach his goal of beginning construction on the project this spring, Texas Tech has until March 1, 2016 to conclude fundraising for the project.

"First-class facilities like the new Sports Performance Center give our fans unforgettable game day experiences, help recruit top student-athletes and ensure that our fearless champions remain competitive," Hocutt said. "The Sports Performance Center is our No. 1 priority in The Campaign for Fearless Champions and I'm asking the entire Red Raider nation for their support. Every gift, regardless of size, brings us closer to the day that we can welcome our student-athletes and fans into this incredible facility."

Funded by gifts to the Campaign for Fearless Champions, the state-of-the-art Sports Performance Center will provide Texas Tech student-athletes world-class opportunities to compete, train, and achieve at the highest levels. The new facility will replace the Athletic Training Center, the existing air-supported structure south of Jones AT&T Stadium nicknamed `The Bubble.'

The building will house a 200-meter indoor, banked track with seating for more than 2,000 spectators. Plans also include an indoor football practice field, which will provide an important recruiting tool and ensure that Texas Tech football players will never miss another practice due to inclement weather.

A removable door will be installed separating the football and track venues, allowing privacy and student-athlete-access to both sides of the facility during events. The Sports Performance Center will also house a strength and conditioning center, equipment facilities and a sports medicine and nutrition center, which will benefit student-athletes from 17 sports at Texas Tech.

The new facility will also enable Texas Tech to host championship-level track and field events, including the Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships. The facility will also build upon Texas Tech's service to the community as the university plans to continue to host numerous high school indoor track and field meets each year.

For the design and construction process, Texas Tech has partnered with one of the foremost architects of athletics facilities in the world, Gensler. Gensler has designed some of the world's most iconic sports facilities, including Roland Garros Stadium, Dodger Stadium, the Rio 2016 Olympic Master Plan and recently, the world headquarters and sports training facility for the Dallas Cowboys.

The Campaign for Fearless Champions has raised more than $98 million toward its $160 million initiative thanks to strong support from donors, alumni and fans. The comprehensive athletics campaign is laying a foundation for the next decade of growth across Texas Tech's 17 sports by enhancing athletics facilities, investing in student-athlete scholarship endowments and growing the Fearless Champions Leadership Academy.

Gifts to the campaign have already funded 13 of the 25 planned facilities improvements at Texas Tech. In recent months, the university held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new athletic ticket office on the east side of Jones AT&T Stadium; crews completed installation of new seats at the stadium in time for the 2015 football season; and renovations to the locker rooms were completed at United Supermarkets Arena, which have resulted in significant improvements to basketball and volleyball team facilities.