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August 22, 2024 – RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and D. Wilson Construction celebrated the placing of the final beam in what will soon be the UTRGV Fieldhouse atrium with a topping out ceremony on Thursday morning.

More than 200 people attended and had the opportunity to sign the beam before it was put in place at the highest point of the building. This ceremony signifies completion of the structural phase of the construction of the atrium.

This construction, which includes a new entrance to the UTRGV Fieldhouse via the Lew Hill Memorial Plaza along with a new box office, team store, Hall of Fame area, concessions stand, restrooms, and premium seating area known as the baseline club, is part of $160 million in facilities enhancements across 13 capital projects taking place from 2022-26 touching all athletic programs at UTRGV.

The extent of the investment in athletics facilities is occurring at a rapid and unprecedented scale for the university. Since the construction of Jody Ramsey Memorial Stadium, where the baseball team played from 1974 through 2001 before moving into UTRGV Baseball Stadium, which was built by the City of Edinburg, the only athletics-related capital project was the construction of the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex, which opened in 2014.

“This project is going to provide tremendous game day amenities for our fans and a true Division I feel for our student-athletes,” UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “The atrium is going to help this facility become instantly recognizable as a sports facility on our campus. We’ve kept the design consistent with the architecture of campus and we are proud to be able celebrate our tradition and our history while bringing it into a modern era.”

The atrium will stand 27 feet high and provide an additional 13,000 square feet of additional space for the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Construction is expected to be complete in the spring of 2025.

“I think what’s transpired in the last 18 months with UTRGV Athletics shows that we’ve arrived,” head volleyball coach Todd Lowery said. “We’ve already seen the benefits and it’s not even done yet. Everything that’s transpired, including new locker rooms, a new training room, and a new practice facility, has had a big impact on our program.”

“I almost had a tear in my eye as I walked by the practice facility yesterday and saw volleyball working out,” head women’s basketball coach Lane Lord said. “All we’ve done is show our kids renderings the last two years, and to see this coming to life is awesome.”

“This is such a representation of progress and growth not only for the athletic department, but UTRGV in general,” head men’s basketball coach Kahil Fennell said. “When you see these kinds of things come together, it’s inspiring.”