UNT Moves Forward with Athletic Center Expansion to Enhance Student-Athlete Development

UNT Moves Forward with Athletic Center Expansion to Enhance Student-Athlete Development

11/21/2025 2:56:00 PM | General

Expansion will add 15,000 square feet of new training space and the Weger Family Strength and Conditioning Center, elevating the student-athlete experience

DENTON, Texas — The University of North Texas System Board of Regents has approved moving forward with construction of Phase 1 of the UNT Athletic Center Expansion capital project, marking a historic moment and transformational step forward for Mean Green Athletics.

As the largest capital raise in UNT Athletics history, the Athletic Center Expansion Phase 1 project balances immediate functional and student-athlete support needs with long-term strategic growth, underscoring the university’s commitment and unwavering support in providing first-class, championship-caliber facilities.

“Our student athletes and athletics programs are important ambassadors for UNT." This world-class new facility will symbolize the caliber of not only our athletic programs, but also our university as a whole," UNT President Dr. Harrison Keller said. "I am grateful to the UNT Board of Regents for their continued support for the development of our student athletes, and also to the Weger family’s transformational support of our athletic programs."

“This expansion represents an important investment in our student-athletes and the future of Mean Green Athletics,” said UNT Vice President and Director of Athletics Jared Mosley. “The improved Athletic Center will elevate the daily training experience, support holistic development, and help us continue building championship programs.”

Phase 1 of the Athletic Center Expansion project centers on a state-of-the-art addition to the existing strength and conditioning facility. The project will add 15,000 square feet of new space featuring more than two dozen high-performance, dual-sided combo racks, new offices, and a first-class nutrition area designed to serve all Mean Green student-athletes.

As part of the project, the new and renovated strength and conditioning facility will be named the Weger Family Strength and Conditioning Center in recognition of a historic $4.6 million gift from Tom and Kristy Weger of Coppell Construction Company. Their generosity represents the largest single gift in UNT Athletics history and plays a pivotal role in making the expansion possible.

UNT Athletics received donations for this project from a wide range of people with 73 different donors’ total. Of the 73, nearly half (34) contributed their largest gift they have ever given to the university. In addition, two donors committed over $2 million, six gave over $500,000, eight gave between $100,000 and $250,000 and 20 gave between $25,000 and $100,000.

Originally constructed in 2005, the UNT Athletic Center sits at the heart of the Mean Green Village adjacent to DATCU Stadium, Victory Hall, the Lovelace & McNatt Families Practice Facility, and other key indoor and outdoor training spaces. The expansion and renovation represent a strategically focused investment in the continued growth, development, and well-being of UNT’s student-athletes.

The new facility will connect directly to the existing strength and conditioning space, which will also undergo a full renovation to match the look, feel, and functionality of the new addition. Together, the spaces will create an integrated, high-performance environment for student-athlete training and development.

Additional improvements include three new football position meeting rooms adjacent to existing team spaces, as well as a new main vestibule that will provide access to an updated Hall of Fame lobby, the strength and conditioning area, and a new sport science space.

The project also includes updates to the area between the expanded weight room and the Indoor Practice Facility, adding a turf plyo ramp and other aesthetic enhancements. Light renovations to the football and athletics administration offices on the upper level of the Athletic Center are also planned.

The expansion and renovation will be led by SLAM Collaborative architecture firm, in conjunction with CORE Construction.

Construction of Phase 1 of the Athletic Center Expansion project is expected to begin in summer 2026, with completion targeted for summer 2027. The project reflects UNT’s bold commitment to providing first-class facilities that promote and advance Mean Green Athletics’ vision of Building Champions and Preparing Leaders.

-- GMG --