University of the Pacific breaks ground on new Student-Athlete and Sports Medicine Center

STOCKTON, Calif. — University of the Pacific has officially broken ground on a new Student-Athlete and Sports Medicine Center on its Stockton campus, marking a major investment in the health, wellness, and success of its nearly 400 Division I athletes.

The 15,682-square-foot facility will house treatment and rehabilitation areas, a therapy pool, hot and cold tubs, a sports therapist’s office focused on physical and mental health, and a dedicated functional training space. 

It will also feature new team lounges and locker rooms for men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball, two film and game-planning rooms, and a multi-purpose study and social area.

Pacific President Christopher Callahan said the project reinforces the university’s mission to support students academically, physically and emotionally.

“The complex will significantly improve our student-athletes’ experience—supporting their health, academic success and overall well-being,” said Callahan. “It represents our deep commitment to the holistic development of every student.”

The center will be located on the site of the former South Campus Gym, adjacent to the Alex G. Spanos Center. 

Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor said the new building fills a critical gap in Pacific’s athletics footprint.

“It will provide spacious, state-of-the-art team lounges and locker rooms to help us recruit and retain top athletes,” Tschuor said. “On the sports medicine side, we’ll gain cutting-edge technology and a space nearly three times larger than what we have now. This will truly be a cornerstone piece of our competitive resurgence in the West Coast Conference and nationally.”

The facility will also expand experiential learning opportunities for students in Pacific’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program—the only accredited athletic training program in Northern California. 

Under supervision from the training staff, students work with athletes before, during and after practices and competitions.

Chris Pond, assistant director of athletics for sports medicine and wellness, said the new sports medicine hub will strengthen partnerships with medical providers and enhance care for athletes.

“It will allow us to partner closely with mental health services, with sports therapists located in the same building,” said Pond. “Having early, easy access to those services will enhance rehabilitation outcomes and support a holistic approach to care.”

In recognition of Pond’s more than 30 years of service as an athletic trainer at Pacific, the athletic training portion of the facility will be named in his honor.

The $11 million project is being funded entirely through donor support. 

The lead gift for the center came from the Eberhardt family and the Bank of Stockton. Board of Regents Chair Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt ’76 called Pacific’s athletics programs “among the best in the nation” and said the new facility will elevate them even further.

Additional support came from Regent Rupert Hall, Jim ’68 and Gretchen ’68 Mair, John and June Rogers, and the Kim Allen Morton Private Foundation.

For many athletes, the project is a sign of the university’s ongoing investment in them.

Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2026.