By Edmond Ortiz
Officials with Texas A&M University-San Antonio and Bexar County gathered June 26 to celebrate the opening of the South Side campus’ new track and field facility.
What you should know
The university began construction on the complex in February 2025 with the support of $10 million in funding from Bexar County. The facility features an eight-lane competition track, a multipurpose field, and a renovated softball field with a press box, dugouts and seating for 350 spectators, according to a press release.
The track and field complex will serve as a practice and competition venue for TAMUSA’s men’s and women’s athletic programs, while the improved softball field will help to bolster student-athlete recruiting efforts, university representatives said.
Additionally, community organizations can use space at the facilities for various sporting and other activities, which itself is a boost in an area lacking public event spaces.
TAMUSA officials said the new track and field facility is key towards a larger push to expand and enhance the university’s athletic program, which recently added six varsity sports, the release stated.
Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, Texas A&M-San Antonio will introduce men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and men’s and women’s cross country. Blair Sohl has been named the inaugural head coach for the programs.
TAMUSA also hosted its first softball games at the new campus stadium last January. The team finished its debut competitive season with a 26-18 overall record and a 17-10 mark in Red River Athletic Conference play.
The university also competes in men’s and women’s soccer, men’s golf, and men’s and women’s basketball. Overall, TAMUSA has more than 130 student-athletes, and expects to grow that number to nearly 200 with the addition of the new sports, the release stated.
What they’re saying
A&M-San Antonio President Salvador Hector Ochoa said the new athletic facilities will further enable the growing university to better serve its student body and the community.
“This expansion reflects the university’s pioneering spirit and our commitment to creating new opportunities to engage with the community, recruit students from across the state, and attract new supporters and partners,” Ochoa said in a statement.
Athletic Director Darnell Smith said the growth of Jaguar athletics can make the university more welcoming for student-athletes.
“The new athletic complex and the addition of new sports programs create tremendous opportunities for student-athletes and contribute to a more vibrant campus culture,” Smith said in a statement.
