The game just changed down in San Antonio. Wednesday, October 14, 2026, marked the grand opening of UTSA’s brand new $35 million Basketball & Volleyball Training Center, a 53,000-square-foot behemoth that means, for the first time in school history, both the basketball and volleyball teams can actually hold practice simultaneously. Let that sink in for a second: simultaneous practice, finally.
No More Fighting For Court Time
Roadrunners athletics director Lisa Campos nailed it when she talked about this “revelation” during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. After years of battling campus activities and other UTSA teams for precious space in the Convocation Center, those days are over. This isn’t just a new building, it’s a declaration. Campos couldn’t hide her excitement, saying, “We’ve had this vision, and to see it come to fruition today, to see all the supporters out here who made this happen, the county, the city, it’s just a wonderful day.” You can feel that relief, right? Women’s basketball senior Idara Udo, who’d heard about this dream since her high school recruiting days, called the finished product exactly that: a “dream come true.”
And it’s not just courts. This place is stacked. We’re talking two full-sized practice courts, dedicated locker rooms and team lounges for each program, a legit weight room, and an athletic training space that even boasts hydrotherapy and hyperbaric chambers. Think about that recovery! Plus, there are film rooms, coaches offices, and conference rooms that overlook the action, even a creator lab with a podcast and editing studio. This isn’t just a gym; it’s a full-on athletic ecosystem. Udo herself is stoked, expecting a smoother schedule, maybe even fewer brutal 6 a.m. practices, and more flexibility with classes. “Basketball is a year-round sport, so we spend a lot of time together, and this building is a real game-changer,” Udo said. “Having somewhere to just chill after practice and regroup will be nice, and help bring us closer together.”
Recruiting Weapon and Development Hub
This facility isn’t just about current players, though. Men’s basketball coach Austin Claunch sees this place as a double-barreled weapon: a massive recruiting tool and a catalyst for player development. Imagine being a recruit walking through this place. Claunch, who’s coached at big-time programs like Clemson and Alabama, said it’s “as nice as anywhere I’ve ever been.” He literally put it up there with the training centers in the SEC, with “just a couple bells and whistles” separating it. He finished with the ultimate mic drop: “You literally can’t ask for anything more. Zero, zero to complain about.”
That’s a coach who knows what he’s talking about, and that’s huge. Players can now seamlessly flow between athletic training, strength and conditioning, the film room, and on-court practice. And the biggest flex? They can hit the court for shooting practice any hour of the night. That kind of access, that level of dedication, can truly separate a program. With $5 million from Bexar County and another $5 million from the city of San Antonio contributing to the cost, this investment is paying off with a facility that’s already turning heads.
What’s next for UTSA’s basketball and volleyball? With a facility that’s already getting SEC-level comparisons, the Roadrunners are set up for a season where player development and recruiting reach new heights. This isn’t just about better practices; it’s about building a program that can compete on a whole new level. Keep an eye on San Antonio, because this “game-changer” is just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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