Hornet Athletics

Who is Alex G. Spanos?

The Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex is an ambitious project that will change the face and character of Sacramento State. It is a centerpiece of Destination 2010, an initiative to transform the campus into a premier metropolitan university and a destination campus.

The Complex will help energize the campus as it redefines the student experience with a broad new range of fitness and recreational options, entertainment, cultural events and social activities. It will be a destination for area residents, a place where our vibrant campus intersects with the community. Its first-rate facilities will enhance recruiting for our NCAA Division I athletics program, and attract many more supporters to contests.

The sheer scope of the Complex promises to make it a showcase not only for the campus but for our entire community. In fact, the intent is to design and build a group of facilities that are not only functional but capture the spirit of our increasingly influential region.

The Complex is named for Alex G. Spanos, who along with his wife Faye provided the initial leadership gift of $10 million.

The University has so far secured $25 million in private support for the Spanos Sports Complex, and efforts continue to identify additional private funding. The fee for the project that was supported by students in a 2004 referendum was implemented ($110) in fall 2006.

The Complex includes four primary facilities:

The Eli and Edythe Broad Field House (field house, pronounced "BRODE") is a 26,000 square-foot project to the south of the stadium that will include a 5,000 square foot weight room, locker rooms, coaches’ offices and meeting space for football and track and field. It will also have a “Gallery of Champions” in the lobby. It must be completed before construction of the Recreation and Wellness Center can begin, because parts of that project will be built at the site of the old field house. Groundbreaking was in August 2006 and completion is expected in mid 2008.

The Recreation and Wellness Center will be approximately 150,000 square feet and locates to the north of Hornet Stadium. The facility will have a fitness center, indoor track, recreational courts, rock-climbing walls and a student health center. Final programming is complete and architectural drawings are underway. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2008 with completion expected in 2010.

The Arena will be to the east of the stadium and is envisioned as seating 6,000 to 8,000 for events such as intercollegiate basketball, commencement and concerts. It is currently expected to be at least 160,000 square feet. A project timeline is being developed.

The Stadium will be renovated, with current seating removed and replaced with a more permanent structure. Concessions and other amenities will be added. Seating capacity and other details are still being developed, as is a project timeline.