AECOM Collegiate Sports Brochure

Collegiate Sports

Everything you need to win

Unlock your project’s true value with the only fully integrated design team in sports

Where champions are forged and legacies are written

AECOM designs champion-caliber sports venues and facilities that redefine the fan and student-athlete experience, amplify revenue generation and elevate the game. With 60 years of experience and a portfolio that spans the globe, we are the premier choice for elite collegiate programs seeking visionary solutions in sports architecture.

How we’re different

What sets us apart is our unmatched expertise and integrated approach. We bring together a powerhouse team of in-house experts covering every aspect of the project lifecycle from economic research to architecture, sustainable design to dynamic revenue modeling and financing to construction. Our integrated team of experts works collaboratively with our clients to imagine and deliver high-performance sports venues that are vibrant, viable, visionary and sustainable contributors to their communities.

Innovation at every turn

From pioneering design techniques to cutting-edge technologies, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Our proprietary cost and revenue modeling software, SAINT, is leveraged as a design tool from day one, strengthening the client decision-making process and giving confidence that design choices align with budget, schedule and quality expectations.

Transformative impact

Most importantly, our projects have a transformative impact on communities. We design sustainable, resilient sports facilities that embrace diversity and inclusion, adopt the latest digital technologies and serve as economic engines that drive growth, foster community engagement and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Whether it’s revitalizing urban neighborhoods or creating sustainable venues that minimize environmental impact, we are committed to building a better future through sports architecture.

EXPERIENCE

Meet your starting lineup

From the Power Four to rising programs across the country, our team brings decades of experience designing championship-caliber facilities for colleges and universities of all sizes. We understand the critical role athletics plays in student life, university branding and donor engagement, and we design with those goals in mind.

Jim Renne SVP, Managing Director, AECOM Sports

Jim leads AECOM’s award-winning sports design practice, bringing nearly 30 years of experience across sports + entertainment design and construction, operations, project finance and real estate development. With a dual background as architect and owner’s representative, Jim has delivered iconic projects including the LA Lakers’ UCLA Health Training Facility and Daytona Rising. Jim brings both creative design thinking and practical business sensibility to complex projects that deliver a long-term value for stakeholders.

Dana Vohs

AIA

Senior Project Manager

With more than 25 years of experience, Dana brings deep expertise managing complex sports projects for professional leagues and collegiate athletic programs. Her portfolio spans pro league venues including NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB facilities, as well as impactful campus projects for Tulane University and the University of Oklahoma. Dana excels at translating client goals into clear delivery strategies, leading multidisciplinary teams to complete projects on time and within budget while delivering exceptional fan and athlete experiences.

Whether it’s a bold new game-day experience, a high-performance training environment or a venue that energizes recruitment, our integrated team delivers facilities that bolster your institution’s spirit, mission and long-term vision.

Andrew Kelly

Assoc. Principal, Director of Collegiate Sports

Andrew leads AECOM’s collegiate sports practice, bringing 20 years of experience in public assembly venues and athletic training facilities. As Director of Collegiate Sports, he drives innovation in the design and renovation of elite stadiums, arenas and training centers nationwide. Andrew’s hands-on leadership emphasizes mentorship, collaboration and strategic client engagement. His projects span top programs in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC, and are celebrated for their blend of aesthetics, functionality and budget-conscious solutions.

Tess Ryan ASSOC. AIA

Senior Associate, Project Designer

Tess specializes in sports + entertainment venues with a focus on revenue-driven seating bowl design. She has been involved in a wide range of projects, including collegiate and pro sports venues and facilities for basketball, hockey, football, soccer and a bevy of Olympic sports, as well as themed entertainment and historic renovation. Her digital tools include AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Lumion, Rhino, Grasshopper, V-Ray, Unreal Engine 4, Kuka Robotics and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Brandon Liebst

AIA, LEED AP

Principal, Kansas City Sports Studio Lead

With 27 years of experience, Brandon is a Principal and Kansas City Studio Lead specializing in professional, civic and collegiate sports venues. His portfolio features projects in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC for top brands like Clemson University, Rutgers University, Baylor University and the University of Arkansas. Brandon excels in conceptual design and detailed development, leading the creative process to bring innovative sports environments to life, balancing functionality, aesthetics and client vision in every project.

Hein le Roux

MRICS, PMAQS

Principal, Director of Sports Cost Management

Hein is AECOM’s Sports Cost Management Director and an expert in large-scale revenue/cost modeling for more than $26.4 billion in sports construction globally. He brings vital expertise in concept studies, high-level cost planning, financial master planning, strategic procurement and cost management. Hein developed AECOM’s proprietary revenue and cost modeling tool (SAINT) that empowers owners to align design decisions with budget constraints from day one.

Julia Dunfield

NCIDQ, LEED AP

Assoc. Principal, Interior Design Lead

Julia is a dynamic and versatile interior designer specializing in hospitality and premium luxury spaces for sports + entertainment venues. She leads all phases of interior design from programming through design development and construction documents to architectural finishes and details, and FF&E selection and specification. She is also involved in construction administration and provides coordination among MEP, lighting and other specialty disciplines.

Brian Parker

IEDC, AICPA

Principal, National Director of Sports Economics

Brian specializes in market-driven demand analysis for sports venues and new developments. As AECOM’s National Director of Sports Economics, he exceeds 27 years of expertise in public assembly venue research and planning. Brian developed AECOM’s proprietary Attraction Modeling Program (AMP), offering clients detailed financial insights. With experience on over 400 projects, he provides analysis and recommendations for professional, collegiate and municipal sports nationwide.

Innovative arena design

Arenas that win at the turnstile and on the court

AECOM arenas redefine the leading edge by energizing fans and including them in the action while creating an intimidating and celebrated home-court advantage.

By bringing together fans, athletes and sponsors from early planning through design and construction, our arena designs not only address how to generate spirited competitions, but how to generate revenue and offer a range of options and amenities that enrich the fan and athlete experience.

To maximize revenue and minimize operating costs, we draw upon our urban planning and economics expertise while analyzing how ancillary development can be a year-round attraction for sports fans and non-fans alike. We continually invest in research and development to create the most innovative, technically sophisticated designs and revenue strategies that are models within the industry.

What our clients are saying . . .

Clemson University

“We worked diligently with design team, consultants and our university partners to make sure the overall fan experience was improved especially in regards to Wi-Fi coverage, video board operations, sound system upgrades and overall building technology. AECOM designers worked meticulously to study sight lines to get fans as close to the action as possible. With the redesign of the lower bowl the fans are now closer to the action, will only enhance the energy level in the arena for our teams.”

Dan Radakovich Former Director of Athletics

University of Houston

“It was hard to imagine how a 50-yearold facility with so many challenges could become a first-class arena, but this team has been able to exceed expectations in every way. The transformation of this facility is truly remarkable.”

Trent Williams Former Senior Director, Capital Projects

University of Illinois

“The renovation of State Farm Center will extend the life of this building for at least another 50 years. AECOM and our construction partners worked as a team to transform an iconic historical building into a modern state-of-theart facility. The project was very complicated and AECOM provided exemplary services throughout the entire process.”

Warren Hood Deputy Director of Athletics

University of Arizona

“Rejuvenating the McKale Memorial Center via a phased improvement project was a key milestone for elevating Wildcat athletic programs to a leader in the Pac 12 conference and in the NCAA. The AECOM/BWS team worked to ensure that not only did the men’s and women’s basketball teams receive first-class accommodations, they also created a dual locker room for use by the women’s volleyball teams (indoor and the startup outdoor) and improved the gameday experience for the gymnastics program.”

Suzy Mason

Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Event Management/Facilities

University of Mississippi

“When we started our athletics complex master planning in 2012, our vision was to create a new ‘front door’ for Ole Miss Athletics. A front door that would open up to the entire campus every day of the week, but especially on game days. AECOM delivered on that vision and has created a synergy between athletics and the rest of campus that we believe is unmatched in college athletics . . . When you combine the brand new pavilion at Ole Miss and a new Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, we believe our ‘front door’ is now the finest athletics complex in the country thanks to our partnership with AECOM.”

Ross Bjork Former Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics

West Virginia University

“AECOM has helped West Virginia University modernize a 46-year old basketball arena with the latest in fan amenities. The fan experience will be greatly enhanced thanks to the design team of AECOM, who listened to our needs, worked tirelessly with our staff and provided us with a renovation solution that not only met our budget constraints, but will continue the WVU Coliseum’s home court advantage.”

Shane Lyons Former Director of Athletics

Working with the AECOM team has allowed us to build a complex that defines Baylor’s leadership in the Big 12 as innovators, enhancing and leveraging our investments …”

Henry Howard

Associate AD –

Capital

Projects & Championships

Baylor University

Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion + Basketball Development Center

Baylor University // Waco, Texas

Foster Pavilion represents a new era in college basketball arena design, prioritizing intimacy, innovation and unwavering commitment to student-athletes, fans and the ultimate Baylor experience.

After inheriting a master plan and arena concept that proved to be unfeasible, inefficient and illogical, Baylor University officials turned to an integrated AECOM team of experts to chart a new path forward. With a combination of informed planning, design, cost estimating, revenue modeling and pre-construction advisory from day one, Baylor and AECOM together created an exciting new vision for what a contemporary collegiate basketball arena should be.

The fieldhouse-inspired concept rejects the bigger is better mindset and embraces the mantra of fewer, but better seats. By pulling seats forward toward the floor, steepening the rake of student seating at each baseline and integrating premium experiences seamlessly, a singular focus on the competition on the floor was created. By investing in student-athlete and fan-facing technology and experiences, and deliberately focusing on the in-game environment and home-court advantage created, a uniquely Baylor design solution was achieved.

In addition to the competition venue itself, a state-of-the-art practice facility with dedicated space for both the women’s and men’s programs is included in the project so that the Bears not only have the best competition venue in the Big 12, but the best home 365 days a year.

State Farm Center Renovation + Addition

University of Illinois-UC // Champaign, Illinois

The most complicated arena redevelopment project in the last decade, the State Farm Center project provides the University with another 50 years of amazing home-court advantage for Illini athletics.

AECOM pioneered the future of the University of Illinois’ State Farm Center with modernized amenities, iconic design and unmatched experiences.

November 29, 2016, marked the successful and much anticipated Phase 6 opening of this historic venue. AECOM’s commitment to the university and the project spanned a decade and included multiple feasibility studies, master planning work and ultimate completion of the $127M design and construction project.

Sophisticated coordination with the university and construction manager provided for construction to be accomplished in six phases within three years allowing for uninterrupted seasons of home basketball games. The project used a comprehensive feasibility planning scope, which included detailed cost, scheduling and economics/ ROI analysis to support the creation of a capital campaign to fund the improvements. The project began with defining the optimal plan for boosting revenue from the landmark

16,500-seat arena and developing a redevelopment business strategy to match valuable premium seating to the specific demand for sports and entertainment in central Illinois.

A total transformation of not only the seating bowl environment, which includes new premium seating products and resolves existing sight line issues, but also site circulation, entry and arrival experience, and concourse circulation were achieved. Enhanced basketball team suites were created providing Illini programs with the best in game-day support and amenities, including a shared “ready room” and a multipurpose room that doubles as both a team dining area convertible to a sleep room providing respite for those long game days. Additional improvements included new entry lobbies, administrative offices, an Illini basketball hall of fame, dramatically improved concourses and creation of four new hospitality lounges. A total replacement of mechanical systems and controls, including air conditioning of the facility, replacement of building lighting/controls and electrical distribution system, as well as addressing code and ADA requirements were also part of the project scope.

State Farm Center is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designed to comply with historic preservation standards, University Design Guidelines and requirements. The arena received LEED Gold building certification for New Construction and Major Renovation.

Wintrust Arena

DePaul University // Chicago, Illinois

Since its 2018 grand opening, Wintrust Arena has proven to be a new point of civic pride for the city of Chicago as well as a significant catalyst for increased commercial development in the McCormick Square neighborhood.

Located a short drive from downtown Chicago, Wintrust Arena is a new 10,000-seat municipal arena that expands the existing McCormick Place Exhibition Complex. Event programming for the arena centers around a diverse mix of concerts, family entertainment, and events and conventionrelated activities in addition to being the new home of DePaul University basketball.

The arena is a contemporary interpretation of a classic Chicago architectural typology: The great public room. With

an elegant curving roof and lightweight glass walls, the new arena partakes of another Chicago tradition — the lyrical structure, or engineering raised to the level of art. With its signature roof form and decidedly open and public presence at street level, the arena gives vibrancy and life that the neighborhood formerly lacked. Creating synergy with existing adjacent convention facilities was another project goal successfully realized. The 300,000-sf arena adds a unique new amenity to the extensive convention campus while the flexible seating bowl provides a great setting for basketball, concerts and ice/entertainment events.

By creating a truly flexible entertainment venue that seamlessly integrates into its uniquely McCormick Square Chicago context, Wintrust Arena has strengthened the bottom line of the Exposition Authority, breathed new life into an underdeveloped neighborhood and created a new destination for visitors and native Chicagoans alike.

Littlejohn Coliseum Renovation + Addition

Clemson University // Clemson, South Carolina

Our collaboration reinvigorated Littlejohn Coliseum with efficient design, upgraded amenities and enhanced fan and studentathlete experiences, reinforcing Clemson’s commitment to excellence in athletics and campus life.

First opened in 1968 and last renovated in 2003, Clemson University’s Littlejohn Coliseum was significantly renovated and expanded to improve the fan and student-athlete experience. Working in partnership with LS3P, AECOM led the design of improvements, bringing unparalleled insight and experience in state-of-the-art collegiate basketball arenas. Our team utilized the integrated efficiency of design, cost and pre-construction capabilities to help Clemson University officials make impactful decisions early in the process,

including allocation of infrastructure budgets, construction phasing/sequencing and renovation versus new build program analysis.

Improvements included an updated playing arena and seating bowl with a unique geometry that maximizes available space, increased premium-level seating and added amenities to enhance revenue-generating opportunities. The project enhanced the spectator experience with the addition of a large multipurpose lobby and dramatic concourse portals to preserve the connection of the concourse circulation to the action occurring in the seating bowl. The new practice and basketball operations facility leverages premium hospitality spaces to provide expanded recruiting and training table capabilities. Our designers leveraged the unique recruiting value of Clemson football home games with the creation of dedicated game-day hospitality terraces for the men’s and women’s basketball programs to underscore the qualities of student life for potential recruits.

Humphrey Coliseum Renovation (Phases I and II)

Mississippi State University // Starkville, Mississippi

AECOM revitalized Mississippi State University’s Humphrey Coliseum, enhancing fan experiences, team facilities and hospitality with innovative design and modern amenities.

AECOM, in collaboration with local architect Dale Partners, provided design leadership for comprehensive renovation of Mississippi State University’s Humphrey Coliseum + Mize Basketball Pavilion, including competition, basketball performance facilities, spectator amenities and hospitality/ recruiting spaces. The project included a detailed programming, cost planning/budgeting and market validation exercise. The improvements were designed and delivered in two phases. Planned improvements focused on enhancing the fan experience, expanding and opening concourse spaces for more efficient circulation and constant connectivity, rejuvenating team spaces and creating a new revenue model integrating premium seating products into the seating bowl for the first time in the building’s history for game day. New program for dining, retail and year-round hospitality are key elements added to enhance the overall utilization of the venue.

Phase I consists of 600 new club seats and new club amendments to the seating bowl in two corners to create super-voms and new AV enhancements, including ribbon boards. The building’s exterior was also reimagined, with a new building addition to the arena creating dramatic entry and arrival experiences for fans and a new dedicated student entry providing a fresh but contextual image for the 40-yearold structure. Concourse enhancements include renovated concessions and addition of new grab-n-goes and renovated restrooms.

Phase 2 consists of a new baseline club and new team spaces. The men’s and women’s team spaces will be completely overhauled with a full removal and replacement to upgrade and expand team locker suites, team lounges, team film rooms, nutrition/dining facilities, visiting team accommodations and improved home team sports medicine (training/treatment/hydrotherapy). Phase 2 also includes a new elevator and full-service cooking kitchen that will be designed to serve not only the arena but have the ability to support the adjacent baseball stadium as well. Completing the project are high-end graphics telling the Bulldogs unique story and culture.

Fertitta Center Renovation

University of Houston // Houston, Texas

A transformation that combined a focus on fan experience, revenue generation and maximizing the potential of the original building, Fertitta Center has become the gold standard for arena redevelopment projects.

The University of Houston Fertitta Center, designed in 1967 by Lloyd Morgan and Jones AIA Architects, opened in 1969 as the home of the University of Houston Cougars athletics and other exhibit, ceremonial and entertainment events. Despite incremental improvements and maintenance since its opening, the Fertitta Center had fallen significantly behind industry trends and peer facilities as it relates to fan experience, competitive advantage and revenue generation. Addressing deficiencies in these three areas was the primary focus of the renovation project.

AECOM’s sports architecture, economics, MEP and cost consulting teams united with local architect PGAL to renovate the Fertitta Center. The project involved a complete interior and exterior transformation of the dated facility, and introduced premium amenities such as a courtside club, mezzanine club and diverse array of fully integrated premium seating options for the first time in the venue’s history.

A collaborative and integrated AECOM effort, our work completely reimagines the game-day experience for fans, student-athletes, coaches, staff and students with features, experiences and design solutions that are uniquely Houston.

Awards

• 2019 Public Assembly Winner, Houston Business Journal

• 2019 Best Project, Sports/Entertainment Category, Engineering News-Record, Texas & Louisiana

Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss

University of Mississippi // Oxford, Mississippi

Hailed as the best new arena in the country in 2017, the Sandy and John Black Pavilion’s innovative design makes it a captivating setting for sporting, campus and recreational events.

AECOM’s integrated team led the effort from conception and fundraising through design and construction. AECOM designed the arena within a much broader context including the parking facility adjacent to the existing Vaught-Hemingway football stadium, ultimately creating a cohesive athletic district on campus. The new 9,500-seat Pavilion is more than 225,000 square feet with approximately 1,500 square feet of locker room space, 1,700 premium seats, courtside and baseline seating for students, three club areas and one of the largest center-hung video display boards in college sports.

The pavilion was designed from the business model up; optimized for multifunction and entertainment utilization to support the pro forma. Ole Miss needed a robust venue to assist with the financing of the venue including positive revenue generation to support the overall athletics department operation. The resulting design for the Pavilion is a seating bowl with diverse yet market-specific premium seating inventory and a flexible design to accommodate a range of events. Lauded for its professional venue design, the building’s back-of-house spaces provide all the capabilities of a major venue within the intimate setting and design of the Pavilion.

A courtyard is defined between the Pavilion and football stadium, extending the game-day experience for both basketball and football events. Another defining attribute of the Pavilion is its large upper translucent wall in the north end providing natural daylighting within the arena, as well as projecting a striking lighted visual presence during evening events.

Iconic stadium design

Elevating game day through iconic design

AECOM designs dynamic, engaging and flexible stadiums for the enjoyment of football, soccer, baseball and a variety of other events.

We have encountered many stadium trends and transitions through the decades and take great pride in not only designing and building stadiums that enhance the spectator experience, but also boost local communities and generate additional revenue stream. During the past three decades, we have designed and built some of the most challenging stadiums while setting the industry standard and garnering worldwide acclaim, all without missing an opening day.

These very complex structures require a tremendous amount of know-how to design and build them in a quality, timely and economical way. AECOM has consistently provided its clients with optimized solutions that increase return on investment, minimize operating costs and enhance game-day magic for fans and athletes.

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Improvements

University of Mississippi // Oxford, Mississippi

AECOM’s expansion of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium modernizes game day with upgraded amenities, enhanced sight lines and premium seating, creating an unparalleled fan experience and a vibrant front door to the athletics neighborhood.

AECOM completed an exciting project to infill the north end zone of the University of Mississippi’s Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Originally, the stadium was open at the north end, accommodating only temporary bleacher seats to meet capacity demands. The seating bowl is now contiguous with a new 46-row infill expansion of the north end zone, increasing capacity, circulation and amenities. For the campus, this project establishes a front door to the athletics neighborhood and punctuates the Rebel game-day tradition of Walk of Champions. For the athletes, it enhances the home field advantage. For the fans, the expansion connects the

concourse levels, provides much needed seating with better sight lines and modernizes concessions and toilets.

In the south end zone, the stadium was expanded, while diversifying its premium seat offerings with 30 additional suites and a new field-level club immediately off the south end zone. The club accommodates 700+ premium seats with direct access to a field-level club directly off the players’ tunnel. No other fans have access to cheer on the Rebels more directly than these fans. The club features specialty food, drinks, seating and of course plenty of TVs to watch the game. A large center access brings the turf of the field directly to the door of the club, evoking the sense that fans are right on the field. Suite amenities include full-size refrigerators, high-top lounge seating and covered outdoor suite chairs to watch the game.

In conjunction with the new arena also designed by AECOM, Ole Miss now has a vibrant new front door to its athletics neighborhood that boasts a plaza with clock tower and a walk of fame to the north of the stadium that ties into a plaza between the stadium and arena.

Memorial Stadium End Zone Expansions/ Renovations (Phase 1)

Clemson University // Clemson, South Carolina

Our collaborative efforts delivered transformative enhancements to Memorial Stadium, including modernized concourses, expanded video board and a new premium club that enhances the fan experience and provides a new revenue stream.

AECOM + LS3P are proud of our legacy of design, study and analysis work at Memorial Stadium. Bridging design phases across multiple years, multiple phases and a global pandemic, Phase I of Memorial Stadium Improvements debuted in 2022.

AECOM + LS3P delivered the project in collaboration with AJP and Jack Porter. Phase I scope included east concourse improvements, video board replacement (expansion), west concourse improvements and the introduction of a new concourse club.

Tasked with building consensus among multiple campus stakeholders and focused on strengthening the connection between campus, the Scroll of Honor Memorial Park and the Stadium experience while simultaneously increasing the size of the video board by five times, our team conceived of a raised and “deconstructed” video board concept that was able to achieve those inherently conflicting goals. The translucent enclosure and internal color changing lighting system allow the board to present different moods depending on time of day, time of year and event mode.

Underutilized space on the west main concourse was also reimagined as part of the project. Congested circulation space, under-performing concession stands and inefficient restrooms were replaced by a wide open, light-filled club space to support a new club seating section. More than 600 new club seats will provide new premium revenue and all fans will enjoy greater freedom of movement and fan amenities on game days in The Valley.

Next-generation training

Fully loaded + recruit-ready

With a focus on the health and well-being of student-athletes, we integrate technology, dynamic indoor-outdoor spaces and stateof-the-art amenities that are adaptable to evolving training trends, elevate performance and enhance recovery.

With an athlete-centered focus, AECOM practice facilities prioritize the needs and experiences of student-athletes, creating spaces that enhance training, rehabilitation and overall well-being, promoting success on and off the field of play via equitable amenities for men’s and women’s teams. Our designs consider the broader campus environment, connecting facilities to existing structures, landscape and campus culture. This approach not only enhances functionality, but also contributes positively to the overall campus aesthetic.

We also understand the importance of crafting forwardlooking designs so that training facilities remain relevant and effective for years to come. AECOM facilities incorporate modern technology, flexible spaces and adaptable features helping our clients meet future athletic and training demands.

What

our clients are saying . . .

University of Houston

“AECOM has been an outstanding partner with Houston Athletics. The design of our new Indoor Practice Facility is first class and is a huge advantage for our program moving forward.”

Former Vice President for Athletics

University of Houston

University of Memphis

“The Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center is truly the next generation of facilities as it bridges the rich history of the Memphis men’s basketball program to our present and future success. It is a place that the University, the City of Memphis and all of Tiger nation can be immensely proud to call their own.”

“Working with the AECOM team has allowed us to build a complex that defines Baylor’s leadership in the Big 12 as innovators, enhancing and leveraging our investments with the new football campus that supports our student-athletes both now and with an eye to the future.”

Bowen Former Athletic Director

University of Memphis

Henry Howard Associate AD – Capital Projects & Championships

“AECOM has been a great partner throughout the project. Starting with concepts right through design and construction, they have been accessible, reliable and vigilant to our needs and our success.”

Suzy

Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Event Management/Facilities

“Our new Centennial Bank Athletics Operations Center can rival the facilities of some of the best programs in the nation. This is truly an ‘Autonomous 5”-type facility.”

“The importance of the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility cannot be overstated. This building represents yet another step forward in continuing our mission of Building Champions at the University of Miami. The generosity of our Hurricanes Family has enabled us to build one of the finest indoor facilities in the country that will serve our football program and all our student-athletes for years to come.”

Terry Mohajir Former Director of Athletics

Arkansas State University

Blake James Former Director of Athletics University of Miami

The Fudge Football Development Center is an industryleading facility that embodies the spirit of the Baylor Family and supporters of Baylor Athletics.”

Mack

B. Rhoades IV

Vice President and Director of

Intercollegiate Athletics

Baylor University

Fudge Football Development Center

Baylor University // Waco, Texas

Set along the banks of the Brazos River, the new 105,000-sf Fudge Football Development Center redefines the Baylor Football experience, uniting tradition, performance and place for a uniquely Baylor experience.

Opened in Fall 2024, this state-of-the-art facility serves as the day-to-day home for the Baylor Bears, anchoring a unified football campus that connects student-athletes to the resources they need to excel on and off the field.

AECOM worked closely with Baylor Athletics and football leadership to realize three core goals:

• Deliver the most efficient football operations facility in collegiate athletics

• Establish a dynamic physical and visual connection to the Brazos River

• Integrate with existing facilities to create a comprehensive football hub

The result is a transformative environment purpose-built for player development, recruiting and program cohesion. The facility houses an expansive 14,000-sf weight room, 1,300-sf virtual walkthrough room, hydrotherapy space, team auditorium, position meeting rooms, coaches’ offices and an athlete fueling station. Dedicated spaces for academics, mental health and sports medicine reinforce a holistic approach to student-athlete support.

Architecturally, the football center blends Baylor’s campus aesthetic with a bold arrival sequence, offering elevated views into the adjacent Allison Indoor Practice Facility and the Brazos River beyond. The building connects directly to the Allison Facility via a new bridge and expands training capacity with a full-length indoor field. Designed to inspire, the Fudge center stands as a powerful expression of Baylor’s commitment to excellence, wellness, and championship culture.

Allison Basketball Development Center

Baylor University // Waco, Texas

Seeking an efficient, impactful, recruit-ready new home for its championship programs on the banks of the Brazos River, Baylor University turned to AECOM to create a basketball development center unlike any other.

The Jay & Jenny Allison Development Center takes full advantage of waterfront real estate. Nestled on the banks of the river marina, the facility offers dramatic views of the water and setting sun on the western horizon from the weight room, training room, coaches’ offices and conference spaces. Patios and terraces blur the lines between indoor and outdoor training, recovery and workspaces.

The project program includes locker rooms, lounges, film rooms, dining spaces, practice gyms and patios for each program at ground level. Shared spaces, such as strength and conditioning, and athletic medicine and recovery areas, are located with direct access into each team suite, as well as the arena. Dedicated coaches, staff and support spaces are included at the upper level offering direct views of both the Brazos River, as well as the practice spaces below. The site plan and landscape development seamlessly integrate and improve upon the existing Riverwalk network while clearly defining public and private spaces.

Not only does AECOM’s design deliver champion-caliber amenities, panoramic river views and seamless integration into the campus landscape, the new center transforms the student-athlete experience and instantly became one of the premier training, development and recovery centers in the country.

Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility

University of Miami // Coral Gables, Florida

AECOM designed the University of Miami’s Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility with state-of-the-art training spaces, expanded weight rooms and seamless integration with the existing Schwartz Center.

AECOM has been working with the University of Miami on improvements to its football operations facilities since our renovation and expansion of the Schwartz Center completed in 2013. The Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility is the latest generation of improvements to Hurricane Football. Connected to the Schwartz Center, the new facility provides indoor practice and training space for both inclement weather days and to expand the capabilities of Miami’s sports performance facilities.

The complex features expanded and updated football coaches’ offices, position meeting facilities, an expanded weight room, sports nutrition and enhancements to the adjacent outdoor practice fields. AECOM also assisted the University of Miami in completing the full football suite by updating the team meeting room, O & D Line meeting rooms, and additional recruiting space within the athletic complex. The completed football suite is supported by powerful, wellcoordinated graphic branding that showcases Miami’s culture and unique story.

Located at the heart of the athletics complex and on the edge of Coral Gables, the design of the indoor facility blends the South Florida aesthetic with the existing identity of the football operations facility to seamlessly bridge the two communities. Town and Gown relationship challenges are familiar to AECOM’s sports facility team. What makes the Miami Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility unique is that it precisely defines very sensitive edge conditions between the university and adjacent Coral Gables community with a building type not known for being delicate. Directly abutting an open stream with sensitive habitats less than 10 yards from a historically sensitive south Florida historic district, AECOM’s designers created an expression which embraced the scale and volume of the massive structure but articulated the envelope in a way which makes the building approachable and recognizable.

The often under-appreciated element of this design execution is that the built work also preserved the economical cost model/pro forma for which indoor football facilities are notorious. The AECOM designers showed that this scale of extreme building component can be successfully placed in the core of campus without creating an eyesore or an element which would disrupt an academic design aesthetic.

AECOM provided all phases of design, including construction documentation and construction administration services.

Centennial Bank Athletics Operations Center

Arkansas State University // Jonesboro, Arkansas

The new Centennial Bank Athletic Operations Center brings a level of training efficiency previously unseen in FBS football.

With only 100 total yards separating the outdoor practice fields, a full 100-yard indoor practice field, football operations and the competition field, Arkansas State quite arguably owns one of the most efficient football facilities in the country. Having training spaces and the stadium all in one location is a significant advantage; lost steps and wasted energy are a thing of the past.

Coaches and training staff have access to all the resources needed to fuel, train and teach student-athletes. A massive new weight room, treatment and hydrotherapy rooms

providing cutting-edge recovery, team meeting spaces, lounge, coaches’ offices and two full-service fuel stations are housed in the new building. The new operations center also boasts one of the largest full-team meeting rooms in college football with 200 first-class fully customized theater chairs. Another of the marquee spaces within the facility is the team locker room, complete with customized fully ventilated lockers, enhanced lighting and audio system, and high-end graphic elements. A barber shop festooned in graffiti art by a local artist anchors the locker room entry.

Continuing the tradition of securing conference titles with a high expectation for personal and team excellence, Red Wolves student-athletes now have access to some of the most innovative technologies and tools available to compete at the highest level.

Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center

University of Memphis // Memphis, Tennessee

Celebrating nearly a century of University of Memphis basketball, the new Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center showcases this rich history and positions student-athletes to be champions on and off the court.

Working in harmony with the university, AECOM designed the facility to provide all of the athletic and academic elements required for total student-athlete development, making it the next generation of facilities.

The iconic new center serves as a vibrant athletics front door welcoming visitors, fans and students in the Hall of Traditions, which features high-impact graphics, interactive media and living exhibits that celebrate the rich tradition, storied history and exciting future.

Emphasizing the student in student-athlete, academic space streamlines student-athlete schedules as they balance time between life, study and practice. Student-athletes enjoy practice on two full-sized basketball courts, train with state-of-the-art strength and conditioning equipment and rehabilitate with some of the most advanced hydrotherapy equipment available.

Wellness technology is also a key focus for the overall health and well-being of student-athletes. The new basketball center is fully loaded with the technology needed to elevate performance and optimize time on the court. Multiple largescale television monitors strategically placed throughout the facility keep players aware of schedules, diet and workout regimens. An LED ticker streams live social media tweets and posts within the facility, keeping staff, players and fans connected to the Tigers community.

Olympic sports

Pillars of athletic excellence

While they often don’t garner the same level of public attention as high-profile revenue sports like football and basketball, Olympic sports programs are crucial in recruiting top-tier talent and providing student-athletes with the resources they need to excel at the highest levels.

From baseball, soccer and lacrosse to tennis, gymnastics and track & field, AECOM designs these facilities for versatility with flexible spaces that can adapt to a variety of needs throughout the year. Our designs also integrate training, recovery and performance analysis within these facilities, which is essential for supporting student-athlete development.

No matter the project scale, we blend branding, culture and identity with the state of the art to deliver venues and training facilities that celebrate university pride and provide for a wellrounded experience for student-athletes and fans.

Frank O’Mara Track & Field High Performance Center

University of Arkansas // Fayetteville, Arkansas

The new Frank O’Mara Track & Field High Performance Center enhances athlete performance with champion-caliber amenities, offers breathtaking views of the Ozark mountains and provides optimized track conditions, cutting-edge hydrotherapy pools and spacious team lounges.

AECOM, in partnership with Hufft, designed the Frank O’Mara Track & Field High Performance Center, the new home of the 47-time National Champion Arkansas Razorbacks Track & Field/Cross Country programs.

The 21,770-sf training facility anchors the south end of John McDonnell Field. The building geometry was designed to align with the track radius and redirect prevailing winds to enhance the track conditions.

The facility includes weight/cardio room, hydrotherapy pools, team lounge, men’s and women’s locker room (62 lockers each), equipment room and hall of fame. The weight, training and hydrotherapy rooms along with the team lounge are positioned along the track to provide uninterrupted visual connection.

“The O’Mara Center has been transformational. We have everything we need all in one place, and that helps us attract future Olympians.”

Chr is Bucknam Men’s Head Coach University of Arkansas

Lacrosse Stadium Master Plan

Rutgers University // Piscataway, New Jersey

AECOM worked with Rutgers University to develop an athletics facilities master plan that includes preliminary design for a 5,000 fixed seat lacrosse stadium.

Most of the stadium seating will be located on one sideline, with a smaller grandstand on the opposite side to create

a significant stadium feel. Additional seating on natural berms is located behind both goals. Simple outdoor amenities for spectators such as family seating areas, and a biergarten/party deck overlooking the playing field are being incorporated in the overall facility design. The goal is to create an elevated stadium atmosphere that feels on par with larger sports facilities in terms of stadium experience and amenities offered, via thoughtful, strategic building layout and massing, and minimal capital investment.

The arena, surrounded by first-class amenities for all our studentathletes including spacious locker rooms, strength, rehabilitation and hydrotherapy areas, as well as plenty of meeting and gathering space will make this one of the best mid-major facilities in the region. ”

Lenny Kaplan Vice President/Director of Athletics

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Bloom Wellness + Events Center Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium

New Jersey Institute of Technology // Newark, New Jersey

AECOM designed a new Wellness + Events Center (WEC) to support NJIT’s overall growth and transition into a major Division 1 player in both academic research and athletics.

Designed to serve the entire student population for the foreseeable future, the WEC includes a 3,500-seat arena, practice gymnasiums, indoor turf training spaces, a competition swimming pool, recreation space, dance studios and athletic administration and coaches’ offices.

A critical component of the project is the 850-seat soccer + lacrosse stadium creating a green oasis nestled into the urban fabric of downtown

Newark. While the siting of the building, support spaces and field are unique to Newark and NJIT, the operational efficiencies, fan experience and transformational program impact can be applied to most any project.

The concourse tucked underneath the seating provides efficient circulation and fan support while telling the story of the growing program. Visiting team spaces, support program and officials’ lockers are designed in a manner that they can serve multiple uses and benefit not one, but multiple programs and events depending on the season and need.

Media, donor hospitality and office spaces are located on the third level of the interior of the WEC and provide dramatic views of the field below as well as dramatic vistas of downtown Newark and Manhattan on the near horizon.

Jack Cook Field

Marshall University // Huntington, West Virginia

A dream 75+ years in the making, Marshall’s baseball stadium boasts state-of-the-art, onsite operations, training and practice facilities along with more opportunities for fans to be immersed in the game-day experience.

For the first time in decades, Marshall baseball has a homefield in its hometown. AECOM’s recently completed design and construction of a new baseball stadium, operations, training and practice facilities marks a significant milestone for Marshall sports.

The 3,500-seat ballpark is nestled into Huntington’s urban fabric, adjacent to both the softball stadium and the Ohio River. It includes premium seating, an interactive concourse with fire pit seating areas and drink rails, and third-party

container box suites beyond the outfield wall in right field. More than a sports venue, the stadium is also envisioned to serve as a community hub and is designed to encourage activity and interaction. The stadium will be widely used by the community and is capable of hosting super-regionals and other major baseball events.

The stadium celebrates Marshall’s achievements with elements honoring Coach Cook’s legacy. The Alex Lawrence Baseball Clubhouse is located just beyond the left field wall, maximizing donor value with a videoboard built into the building.

To meet the tight budget and schedule, the design team recommended using a pre-engineered structure. Overall, the Marshall University baseball stadium showcases AECOM’s commitment to excellence in sports architecture at any scale, creating a facility that serves as both a premier sports venue and a community asset.

What an amazing honor for our baseball program to play their games on Jack Cook Field. Having the field named after Coach Cook fulfills the promise so many hoped would be achieved.”

Christian Spears Former Director of Athletics Marshall University

Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex

Marshall University // Huntington, West Virginia

AECOM designed a new home for Marshall University’s men’s and women’s soccer programs to elevate the recruiting appeal of each program and unify the home for soccer.

Located just east of the Marshall University campus in Huntington, West Virginia, the new complex incorporates an engraved stone veteran’s monument that stood at the fieldhouse for more than 50 years. The stadium structure was placed near the street to provide a presence for Marshall Soccer along the heavily trafficked 5th Avenue, while the field sits adjacent to the residential area bordering the opposite side of the site. The green soccer field coupled with a small

public park developed right behind the goal line positions the stadium as a good neighbor to its residential surroundings.

The simple rectangular building is bisected with spectator facilities and entrance in the center, flanked by team locker room and training space on one side and coaches’ offices and meeting rooms on the other. Men and women have identical locker room and team lounge facilities and share equipment distribution and training areas, which fosters player and coach camaraderie between the programs.

The complex has permanent seating for 1,000 spectators and can accommodate up to 2,000 people for larger tournaments and events. Marshall Soccer players and coaches enter a separate smaller entry adjacent to their parking area at the southeast corner of the site and have direct access to a team reception area and offices and meeting rooms.

Duckworth Family Tennis Facility

Clemson University // Clemson, South Carolina

With a deep understanding of the unique needs of Clemson University, AECOM + LS3P delivered the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility, a new state-of-the-art tennis venue that elevates the Clemson Tigers tennis teams and delights fans with new outdoor competition courts and a 700-seat permanent stadium.

The tennis facility provides a new six-court indoor tennis space designed to meet the rigorous training needs of the men’s and women’s varsity tennis teams; concessions and public restrooms; and a clubhouse with locker rooms, a training room, equipment rooms, player lounges and coaches’ offices. Related site work created a new parking area and six new outdoor practice courts.

The primary design goals for the project included improving the student-athlete and fan experiences and creating a

strong presence along the main vehicular thoroughfare into campus. The new building is oriented along an east-west axis, optimizing sun exposure while maintaining desired full sun on the outdoor varsity courts. The clubhouse wraps around the existing varsity courts, creating an intimate interaction between the student-athlete spaces and the site. The materials palette of masonry, metal panel and glass complements the campus built environment while creating a contemporary aesthetic.

Awards

• 2019 Association of Building Contractors (ABC) Eagle Award for Excellence in Construction

• Two Green Globes® Certified

Tiger Performance Complex

University of Missouri // Columbia, Missouri

AECOM developed the Tiger Performance Complex to be the home practice facility for the University of Missouri’s Golden Girls dance and varsity gymnastics teams.

The facility contains individual home team suites on par with the best in the nation. Each locker room has custom programmed and designed lockers specifically tailored to the unique needs of these two programs.

The facility supports daily practice and training needs with a shared aerobic training room and athletic treatment suite, which includes supplemental hydrotherapy capabilities. The teams have access to common toilet and shower facilities that feature a spray tan booth. Individual office suites for the respective programs are located adjacent to the team suites to facilitate efficient and direct communication with the student-athletes.

The facility is located within close proximity to Faurot Field to accommodate the frequent movement to and from the football game day, which is crucial to the function of the Golden Girls’ performances.

LR Hill Sports Complex

With comprehensive training facilities, dedicated coaching spaces and multifunction Hall of Athletics, the LR Hill Sports Complex is one of the top field hockey/lacrosse facilities in the country.

In partnership with Clark Nexsen, AECOM designed the state-of-the-art facility to support the growth and success of Old Dominion University’s athletic programs. Home to the university’s field hockey, football and women’s lacrosse teams, the complex provides a centralized hub for practice, training and competition.

The facility includes a 6,500-square-foot weight room, a 3,000-square-foot training room, team meeting rooms and dedicated locker rooms, all designed to enhance the

performance and development of student-athletes. The building also played an important role in the re-establishment of the Old Dominion football program.

Outdoor spaces include a premier game-day field hockey and lacrosse field with seating for 1,500, as well as a second-story balcony overlooking the action. The complex also features a 100-yard and a 60-yard practice field, with capacity for an additional 1,500 temporary seats. The artificial turf playing surface on the competition field meets the strict standards of the USA Field Hockey Association, making the facility a top venue for national competitions.

In addition to the locker rooms, training areas, and competition and practice fields, the complex features gathering space for alumni and recruits, including a Hall of Athletics that displays and celebrates the accomplishments of the university’s various athletics programs throughout its history.

Athletics master plans

A comprehensive vision for a winning future

Our master plans provide a comprehensive vision for future development and a unified pathway for developing new facilities and modifying existing facilities.

The precursor to many of our notable sports projects was the preparation of a master plan addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of the project, including financial goals, regulatory drivers and campus and community perspectives. This lays the groundwork for imaginative and sustainable solutions that meet client needs while enhancing the quality of life for those who experience the place.

We engage our university clients in a highly interactive process that is based on sharing information, setting goals and expectations and making consensus-based decisions that determine the physical and functional character of the master plan.

As part of this work, we often create a comprehensive visualization package, including microsites, renderings, videos and 3D models to support fundraising efforts and garner stakeholder buy-in.

ƒ Northern Illinois University Athletic Campus + Facilities Master Plan

ƒ Arkansas State University Stadium Expansion Study

ƒ East Carolina University Dowdy-Ficklen

and Athletics Master Plan

Marshall University Baseball Stadium

ƒ Rutgers University Athletics Facilities Master Plan

ƒ Boise State University Facilities Assessment

ƒ University of Central Florida Power Play Plan

ƒ Marshall University Athletics Facilities Master Plan

ƒ University of Miami Athletic Facilities Study

ƒ Tulane University Athletic Facility Master Plan

ƒ University of Toledo Athletics Assessment

ƒ Florida International University Athletics Assessment

ƒ Florida Atlantic University Facility Master Plan

ƒ Lamar University Athletic Master Plan

+ Ongoing

ƒ University of Mississippi Stadium and Arena Expansion Study

ƒ Fresno State University Bulldog Stadium District Master Plan

ƒ Eastern Michigan University Athletics Campus + Championship Building Plan Jersey Institute Technology Athletics Plan

ƒ University of Central Florida Athletics Village Master Plan

ƒ Clemson University Softball Stadium Feasibility Study

ƒ George Mason University EagleBank Arena Master Plan ƒ Baylor University Athletics Master Plan

ƒ Washington State University Athletics Arena Assessment

ƒ University of Arkansas Sports Facilities Feasibility Study

Rutgers University

Piscataway, New Jersey

AECOM developed a comprehensive master plan to inform and prioritize the development and renovation of Rutgers University’s athletics facilities as part of the Rutgers Build B1G initiative.

Selected for our integrated facility planning, cost and economic delivery capabilities, our scope included an allsport master plan, campus master plan impact study, cost consulting, market assessment and fundraising support. Key components included venue evaluations for football and basketball, strategic planning for Rutgers’ Olympic sports and designs for a new football operations facility and indoor practice facility. Overall, the master plan for Rutgers enhances athletic facilities, improves revenue generation and elevates the fan and athlete experience, positioning Rutgers University competitively within the Big Ten Conference.

SHI Stadium + Football Operations: AECOM conducted a revenue-driven renovation analysis to enhance premium inventory, fan experience, security, game-day operations and opportunities to reconfigure space vacated by football administration. The goal was to elevate SHI Stadium to align with Big Ten Conference peers and address larger athletic district operations concerns. This analysis included relocating all football operations to a standalone complex with indoor and outdoor practice facilities.

Jersey Mike’s Arena: AECOM supported Rutgers athletics in transitioning Jersey Mike’s Arena from a multisport, athletic administration complex into a revenue-driven basketballfocused venue. The study highlighted opportunities for revenue generation, enhanced game-day atmosphere, improved spectator accessibility and necessary code and operational improvements.

New Baseball + Softball Complex: A key component of the facilities master plan was the enhancement of the baseball and softball complex. The design includes fan amenities such as a continuous concourse with field views, casual seating areas near concessions and berm seating in the outfield. Player facilities include direct access to locker and training areas from the dugouts, and coaches’ offices are positioned on the same level as the press box with views of the field. The goal was to create high-level shared experiences for both sports while establishing destination venues.

Tennis Center: AECOM provided conceptual plans and cost estimates for a new six-court varsity outdoor tennis venue and the conversion of an adjacent recreation building into an indoor facility with player locker rooms and coaches’ offices. The outdoor courts feature a surrounding fence, spectator seating for 300 fans, sports lighting, a storage building and a video scoreboard.

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

The goal for future athletic planning and facilities at the University of Central Florida is simple — create the finest Athletics Village in the country.

AECOM took an integrated approach to enhancing, renovating and expanding the environment in which student-athletes, coaches, administration and support staff live, train, work and compete.

Athletics Village Master Plan (2017) Starting in Fall 2016 and concluding in Spring 2017, AECOM collaborated with the UCF athletic administration to analyze and identify challenges and opportunities related to the existing athletic precinct and facilities, while defining a vision for the future of UCF Athletics. The master plan focused on targeted improvements to existing facilities while maintaining fiscal responsibility. It includes narrative summaries, cost and revenue considerations, and conceptual drawings to support fundraising efforts.

Power Play Plan (2022)

Following an administration change, AECOM expanded on its previous work with a new direction but the same goal of supporting student-athletes and building the department’s growing status. In August 2021, the University released the first phase of this new plan and in September 2021 accepted the invitation to join the Big 12.

The Power Play Plan includes:

• Softball: Improvements include a team building with training facilities, spectator game experience enhancements and field improvements.

• Tennis: Expansion of the existing outdoor complex to create seating and match-ready capabilities, plus a sixcourt indoor practice facility.

• Golf Training Facility: A unique concept featuring a tram training and development clubhouse inside a “Top Golf” style facility, allowing for revenue generation and supporting a larger sports park concept.

• Soccer Stadium: Creation of a dedicated competition and practice facility adjacent to the current stadium, serving as an alternate entry to the Dixon Athletics Village.

Acrisure Bounce House Improvements AECOM is currently designing the expansion and transformation of Acrisure Bounce House, impacting the game-day environment, premium experiences and UCF Football Operations yearround.

Football Campus Improvements

The project includes dramatic expansion and improvement to the football team infrastructure to align with Big 12 peers. Improvements include an expanded coaching office building, broadcast production suite, expanded sports performance spaces and enhanced equipment and recruiting/NIL-driven program elements.

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University aims to build champions for life, and AECOM is helping them achieve this vision through creative problem-solving and integrated budgeting.

AECOM collaborated with Baylor’s campus and athletics leadership to develop a fiscally responsible, multifacility program impacting all competitive programs. Our work included assessing existing and potential program needs; creating an impact matrix to inform financial and phased implementation scenarios; and providing campus master plan coordination, real estate advisory services, facility planning and cost/pro forma development.

The Athletic Master Plan was included in the university-wide, billion-dollar “Give Light” campaign, with AECOM’s fundraising support securing the largest private gift in Baylor history to kick-start the plan.

Foster Pavilion + Basketball Performance Center

A new basketball pavilion focused on student-athlete and fan experiences, and a state-of-the-art practice facility for both men’s and women’s programs.

New Football Operations Facility

A comprehensive football operations building featuring locker rooms, lounges, training and equipment spaces, offices, meeting rooms, and new practice fields, providing all necessary amenities for football student-athletes and coaches in one location.

Indoor Practice Facility

Expansion + Renovation

Expansion of the existing 80-yard indoor complex to a full 100-yard field, including improved connection to adjacent outdoor turf fields. The project will feature a walk of champions celebrating past athletes and coaches, creating a unique football campus with nutrition, academic and bioperformance lab facilities.

Ferrell + Whetsel Improvements Transformation projects to convert the original basketball-focused venue into a new home for the university’s volleyball and acrobatics & tumbling programs, with sport-specific improvements for the competition venue.

Simpson Center Academics + Mental Health

Expansion of existing and newly added programs in spaces vacated when football administration moves to their new home in 2024. This plan dramatically upgrades and advances key student-athlete support programs by utilizing the proximity and newly available building areas.

Working with the AECOM team has allowed us to build a complex that defines Baylor’s leadership in the Big XII as innovators, enhancing and leveraging our investments with the new football campus that supports our student-athletes both now and with an eye to the future.”

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas

The University of Arkansas has enlisted AECOM to create a 20-year vision for their athletics facilities, focusing on football, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, soccer and tennis.

This strategy aims to schedule and complete capital projects to accelerate program growth in a fiscally responsible manner. By addressing deferred maintenance, enhancing revenue growth and improving sport support and fan experience, AECOM’s comprehensive plan aims to establish the University’s athletics facilities as top-tier, revenue-generating venues.

Fred Smith Center Expansion

AECOM conducted a study to expand office and player support space within the Fred Smith Football Center, addressing the undersized facility with new areas for staff, dynamic recruiting spaces and team meeting rooms to maintain competitiveness.

Bud Walton Arena Study

In collaboration with WER Architects, AECOM evaluated operational accommodations, fan experience, accessibility and revenue-generating elements for Bud Walton Arena. The study introduced external event accommodations with ROI calculations to maximize revenue potential, ensuring improvements pay for themselves and cover deferred maintenance costs.

Barnhill Arena

AECOM analyzed Barnhill Arena, home to volleyball, gymnastics and basketball exhibitions, focusing on operations improvements, ADA compliance and downsizing to meet specific sport requirements. The review included relocating, repurposing or eliminating functions within the facility for efficiency.

Bogle Park

Improvements for the softball program included team operations facilities expansion, ballpark expansion for fans, press and premium seating, and a new outfield fan terrace. These enhancements offer diverse seating types, expanded fan amenities and efficient hosting of conference and tournament games.

Razorback Field

Building on the soccer program’s success, AECOM’s plan addressed the declining press/suite tower by expanding spectator seating, creating a unified team building for both women’s and men’s programs, and meeting competition and practice requirements.

Frank O’Mara Track & Field High Performance Center

In partnership with Hufft, AECOM designed the 21,770-sf high-performance center for the Arkansas Razorbacks Track & Field/Cross Country programs, providing essential practice and meet-day facilities.

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

Since 2011, AECOM has collaborated with Clemson University on numerous studies, facility master plans and implementation to enhance their training facilities and competition venues.

Our work spans stadium enhancements, arena transformations, a new basketball performance facility, as well as new softball infrastructure, expanding the tennis training complex and managing outdoor fields. It also includes direct engagement with Clemson’s Foundation for revenue analysis and coordination with operations and campus security staff to incorporate evolving best practices.

Our success in athletics planning has led to further studies by AECOM’s Strategy+ team, including a new business school, library expansion and overall campus finance and operations management. Additionally, AECOM’s Technology Solutions team has provided strategic consulting for campus IT infrastructure, expanding our range of services to Clemson.

Memorial Stadium Improvements Phase I

This phase included east concourse improvements, video board expansion, west concourse enhancements and a new concourse club.

Memorial Stadium Improvements Phase II

Projects included Lot 5 improvements, Tiger Walk and modernizing the football team’s game-day operations, including an expanded game-day locker room.

Duckworth Family Tennis Center

This state-of-the-art venue features outdoor competition courts, a 700-seat stadium and a 61,200-sf indoor facility with six courts, concessions, public restrooms and a clubhouse with locker rooms, a training room, equipment rooms, player lounges and coaches’ offices.

Littlejohn Coliseum Renovation + Expansion

Focused on enhancing the student-athlete and fan experience, this project transformed a 50+ year-old building into a facility that looks, feels, performs and generates revenue like new.

Additional Clemson Projects:

• Historic Riggs Field Improvements Study

• McWhorter Softball Stadium Study

• Swann Pavilion

• Memorial Stadium Suites + Clubs Renovation

• Memorial Stadium Master Planning

• Memorial Stadium Re-occupancy Planning

One partner, a world of expertise

Integrated delivery from start to finish

We are innovators in integrated delivery with a comprehensive array of services uniquely tailored to deliver sports venues that are vibrant, viable, visionary and sustainable contributors to the communities they serve.

This integrated offering means that we are able to seamlessly work with clients through the entire life cycle of a project — from funding and financing, development and planning, design, architecture, engineering and systems integration, to staging and construction sequencing, and operations and maintenance.

Architecture

Iconic and exciting, sports venues are shared symbols of hopes and dreams — of athletes, performers, fans and whole communities.

AECOM is sought after for design of energizing, experiential venues that translate tradition and image into unique facilities that communities can claim as their own. Employing principles of flexibility and sustainable design, we strive to meet or exceed the business and operational goals of private- and public-sector clients. Setting exceptional design and performance standards, we consistently create destinations that provide lasting memories for people of all ages.

The foundation for our sports architecture practice is the relationships we build as we plan and construct each physical structure. For AECOM, our future success and legacy relies on the quality of our associations and our clients’ success. Creating environments to honor our clients’ rich traditions and set the stage for new ones requires experienced professionals committed to exceptional design and innovation.

Building engineering

Our approach to building engineering innovation focuses on enhancing function, minimizing environmental impact and promoting wellness.

Our building engineering professionals share a common goal of delivering solutions that not only respond to client needs, but also minimize environmental impact and actively contribute to the wellness of the occupants. Our team’s portfolio of complex, challenging, high-profile projects exemplifies our experience and expertise within the sports and entertainment venue market. We understand the challenges that come with renovations and alterations to existing venues and can guide the team through solutions that are feasible and cost conscious.

We achieve these results through a design-led approach to building engineering that balances the programmatic needs of a facility with optimizing human comfort and wellbeing, within local climatic, environmental and seismic conditions.

We can help you stay in control of cost from day one

AECOM is the only firm in the sports industry that integrates sports economics and cost consulting into our design process utilizing proprietary software from day one.

Taking the time to truly understand you, your goals and the challenges you face, we help our clients develop the knowledge you need, when you need it, to stay in control and move forward with confidence. Our tools and cost approach help navigate the complex and ever-changing interaction of quality and quantity, time and cost, so that you can achieve the most, and the best projects, for your capital investment.

Embedded in our sports design studio is a team of dedicated sports economics and cost consulting experts. This specialized team is a core component of our integrated design approach and provides unique insight and expertise on cost and revenue-specific issues as they arise, assess cost-benefit scenarios and analyze optimal use of capital investment (including market demand and revenue generation studies) contributing significantly to the ultimate success of each project.

Having sports economics and cost consulting embedded in our team from day one helps our clients evaluate decisions between deferred maintenance needs, renovation and/or enhancement to existing facilities.

Using our proprietary Stadium and Arena INvestment Tool (SAINT) that leverages a national database of sports project construction data, we take a proactive rather than reactive approach to cost forecasting and control. This analysis led by our dedicated sports quantity surveying group provides a very focused and different analysis of cost decisions to better evaluate project direction and plans for improvements, whether new works or longer-term planned refurbishment and maintenance.

Using our proprietary sports economics Attractions Modeling Program (AMP), we provide long-term financial projections of the operations of improved facilities, including return on investment analysis providing you with the information necessary to make strategic investments that will suit your desired goals. The AECOM sports studio is the only firm providing this in-house capability.

SPORTS DESIGN

The world’s ONLY fully integrated sports consultancy currently defining the future of

SPORTS ECONOMICS

Integrated sports economics + proprietary software enables clients to fully understand financial + operational impacts to achieve a revenue-generating sports destination built for the

SPORTS COST CONSULTING

Integrated sports cost consulting + proprietary software puts venue owners and operators in the driver’s seat with a 360-degree vision covering design, cost, schedule, operations and finance while overruns.

Golden 1 Center

The world’s first LEED Platinum venue of its type

AECOM designed the first LEED Platinum arena for fans, city and planet. 100 percent solar-powered, the Sacramento Kings’ new Golden 1 Center is the most technically advanced venue of its type in the world. The arena transforms the future of Sacramento’s downtown through its iconic design and technology-driven operation. Designed to be uniquely Sacramento, the arena connects indoor and outdoor spaces, enables public engagement through an event plaza, provides farm-to-fork concessions and features our FanFirst Connected Comfort solution, which combines displacement ventilation and fan crowd-sourcing.

We continually invest in research and redefine today’s sports + entertainment sustainability, high performance and technology standards.

Sustainability

Our holistic approach to placemaking includes incorporating sustainability objectives at the earliest phase of the project process.

We work with clients to help them understand their environmental and regulatory contexts and to establish the specific sustainability targets appropriate for their project. Our goal is to create communities, environments and buildings that reduce carbon emissions, conserve natural resources, promote biodiversity, generate economic development and improve social conditions for inhabitants.

High Performance Buildings

High performance design is smart design.

It’s a methodology that utilizes the very best technology to align our buildings and communities with the natural environment. Our high performance projects integrate natural resources such as sunlight, fresh air, rainwater and local food sources to produce innovative design solutions.

AECOM’s high performance buildings and communities maximize available sunlight and fresh air, harvest rainwater, incorporate local food sources and run off to produce renewable energy. High performance design marries environmental and institutional sustainability with the mission of supporting our clients. The end result is an efficient design with the client in mind.

Technology

We balance tomorrow’s technology with today’s robust solutions that enhance functionality, sustainability and efficiency by creating synergies between technology systems and buildings and spaces.

Our big-picture approach stems from our understanding of the built environment and the role technology has come to play in our world. From visioning and concepts, to design and integration, to delivery, maintenance and monitoring, we deploy an integrated approach to developing solutions for electronic security, cyber security, audiovisual, voice, data, converged networks, workplace solutions, Wi-Fi, in-building cellular, public safety and user experience. We utilize a smart building design approach that pursues the integration of traditional technologies with the emerging trends in IoT, beaconing, location tracking, collaboration, scheduling, workspace usage, lighting and environmental controls.

Cultural Preservation + Growth: LA2028 Olympic + Paralympic Games

Connecting past and present, city and infrastructure, our Urbanism + Planning and Transportation team developed a Games Concept that integrated with new transit systems, neighborhoods and cultural attractions.

Strategy+

Our strategists enable our sports clients to understand and capitalize on a vital dynamic that drives organizational performance — the relationship between people and the design of physical place.

Our work demonstrates that policy and other changes involving people and place can deliver tangible and sustainable business value. Solutions are derived through rigorous and clearly structured evidence and from our ability to really listen to the aspirations, strategic needs and practical commercial concerns of our clients. Our Strategy+ group combines research, strategy and spatial concepts for occupants, designers and owners. Our approach is informed by a deep understanding of the changing nature of working and learning globally, regionally and locally, and is applied across a range of sectors — sports venues, corporate workplaces, government workplaces, learning and research environments, and healthcare environments. As renowned thought leaders in the strategic use of place for more than 30 years, we continue to develop solutions that generate sustainable business value.

Urbanism + Resiliency

AECOM designs memorable and resilient places for communities, focused on adding purpose, beauty and value through integrated design.

Thoughtful integration of flood control, green infrastructure, active mobility and natural habitats advances resiliency and performance. From transforming flooded streets into resilient corridors, to turning seawalls and bridges into social infrastructure, to weaving resilience and equity into our future, we create solutions that synthesize infrastructure and place, systems and people, and culture and geography. Our approach merges ecological design, community trust building, engineering, landscape architecture, urban design, transportation planning, resiliency, sustainable development and economics to create places that matter and thrive.

Our work positively impacts communities through the planning and design of artful social spaces for everyone combining sustainable infrastructure with cultural relevance and expression. From establishing the economic framework for development, to undertaking the science and analytics required to enable informed decisions, we partner with our clients and project stakeholders at every step of the process.

Landscape Design + Planning

Through our holistic understanding of the way in which land, communities and built places interact, we design gathering places that meet their peak performance requirements while serving year-round as high-quality environments.

We anticipate the needs of major events, including the movements of large crowds, the use of major equipment, needs for power and water and the importance of visibility and signage. While designing open spaces to meet these requirements, we incorporate a view to how these spaces will function when the crowds have gone — how they will serve community members in passive recreation and how they will enhance the ecology and aesthetics of their surroundings. Landscapes fulfill ecological functions, such as stormwater management and harvesting, while serving a role in society. Ours is an approach that uses carefully designed pieces of land as the unifying element of integrated projects and their greater contexts.

Construction Management

We’re built to modernize, expand and deliver the most iconic and complex structures ever conceived.

From iconic stadiums and arenas to next-gen transportation hubs to sustainable healthcare and academic buildings, we deploy the latest technologies, industry-leading safety best practices and highest ethical standards on every project.

With a focus on creating strong relationships and by emphasizing quality and skill-utilization in all that we do, we have proven time and again to be industry pioneers by delivering the most challenging projects. If you can dream it, we can build it.