More Than Bricks and Turf: The True Impact of Facility Development in Sports
The development of a new facility is one of the most exciting and energizing moments in the life of a sports organization. To me, it represents more than a construction project - it’s a symbol of hope, change, and a tangible roadmap for the organization you aspire to be. Designing a facility gives you the rare opportunity to step back, define your values, and ask hard questions about who you are today - and who you want to become tomorrow.
That’s the real power of building something new. It’s not just about upgrading equipment or expanding square footage. It’s a chance to challenge your assumptions, push beyond your comfort zone, and turn vision into action. When done right, a facility becomes a cornerstone for culture, performance, and growth.
Designing With Purpose
Creating a new facility forces you to be intentional. You’re no longer inheriting a space -you’re shaping one from the ground up. That process requires deep reflection:
What does your organization value most?
How do you want players to move through their day?
Where should the most energy and resources be focused?
How can your capabilities be leveraged in a new space?
What does excellence look like in your environment?
If you're building a player development space, every detail - layout, flow, equipment, recovery, technology - should reinforce the standards and systems you want in place. It will not only impact your program’s ability to develop players but also enhance your ability to recruit top talent.
The Emotional Lift of a New Home
One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had is walking staff and players through a newly completed facility. The looks on their faces - the excitement, the pride, the possibility—it’s unforgettable. Everyone knows immediately: “This is going to make us better.”
That emotional lift is real. It tells players they’re valued. It tells staff that leadership is investing in their ability to be effective. And it sends a clear message about the future. The jolt of energy it brings to a program can be transformative - and it’s backed up by measurable gains in capability and cohesion.
Recent examples like Maryland’s Stanley Bobb Performance Center and Seton Hall’s new Richie Regan Recreation & Athletic Center are excellent illustrations of this. Both facilities focus heavily on the athlete experience, incorporating modernized recovery areas, enhanced nutrition centers, and integrated performance spaces that create a complete, athlete-centric environment. They’re not just upgrades - they’re difference-makers.
Challenges That Matter
Of course, building the right facility isn’t easy. You only get one chance to do it right, and the margin for error is small. The worst outcome is walking into your brand-new facility and realizing… you’ve already outgrown it.
That’s why the design process must go beyond the immediate wishlist. It takes research, foresight, and a willingness to listen to every department and understand their needs -today and years into the future. You have to think critically about how athletes move through the building, how staff interact, and how each space supports performance and development.
The best design questions go beyond aesthetics:
What resources will directly improve player outcomes?
How can we streamline collaboration between departments?
What spaces will shape our culture and attract top talent?
These are the questions that drive lasting value and turn a construction project into a competitive advantage.
Building More Than a Building
In the end, a facility is more than bricks, turf, and technology. It’s a living reflection of your organization’s values, vision, and ambition. When you build intentionally - with clarity, creativity, and courage - you don’t just create a new space. You create momentum.
For any program planning its next step, that momentum can be the difference between staying stagnant and stepping forward.