The centerpiece of the University of
Montevallo athletic program, the
Robert M. McChesney Student Activity
Center and the BankTrust Arena, became the home of the
Falcon athletic program in fall of 2004.
The $11 million facility opened its
doors on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, and was
dedicated on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004
during the annual Founder’s Day
ceremonies.
The dreams for the showcase facility and
the road to its completion covered many
years of planning and building.
Long-time employees of the University
can recall discussion of the need for a
facility such as this one many years
ago. In 2000, when Will Phillips and
Meredith Glover were SGA president and
vice president, respectively, the vision
toward making the dreams a reality began
to take shape. During this time there
was much discussion among students with
then-UM President McChesney regarding
the adequacy of existing facilities on
campus. Students also recognized the
need for good facilities when it came to
things such as recruitment and
retention, as well as the need for
creating weekend activities on campus
and providing a space large enough that
family and friends could attend spring
commencement even if the weather failed
to cooperate.
In February 2000, McChesney, Eddye
Lawley (now retired director of the
physical plant) and Roy Culberson
(former athletic director) approached
the SGA Senate with the suggestion for a
convocation center.It would be a place
that could provide opportunities not
currently available on UM’s campus. It
would be a place that could house major
events and attractions, and where
students and other members of the
University community could go to
exercise, socialize and cheer for the
Falcons.
On March 5, 2000, the SGA Senate passed
a resolution stating its desire for a
convocation center and a willingness to
partner with UM to pay half the cost of
the facility. The funds would come from
an increase in the student activity fee.
On Feb. 15, 2002, almost two years after
the SGA Senate had voted to pass the
resolution that gave the green light to
the project, the Board of Trustees
approved the sale of bonds that would
allow the construction of the facility
to begin. Bond sales commenced
immediately after the conclusion of the
meeting.
McKee and Associates of Montgomery was
selected as the architectural firm to
design the Center. The architects
followed strict guidelines that would
assure the successful blending of a
completely modern facility with the
historical structures already on campus.
Architectural features from some of
Montevallo’s well-known buildings, such
as Ramsay and Palmer halls, were
incorporated into the exterior design,
as was a red brick walkway that leads
visitors to the entranceway. McCrory
Building Company of Birmingham won the
bid to be the contractor for the
project.
Groundbreaking took place at the
University’s annual Founders’ Day
ceremonies in October. On that day, the
turning of 16 shovelfuls of earth marked
the beginning of the construction phase
of the project.
The first building to be constructed on
campus since the mass communication
building was completed in 1991, the
97,000-square foot structure seemingly
rose from the spot that was formerly a
golf driving range on College Drive.
A defining facility on the historic
campus, the state-of-the-art
McChesney Student Activity Center
reflects the vitality of student life at
the University and stands to serve as a
focal point of interests and activities
on campus.
The first facility of its kind at the
University of Montevallo, the Center
provides recreational facilities that
have never before existed at this level
on this campus. Inside, there is a 2,000
seat multi-use arena for athletic events
and up to 3,500 seats for indoor
convocations. In addition, a weight
training/cardiovascular facility, six
racquetball courts and a 25-yard pool
for water fitness provide ample
recreational opportunities for UM
students, faculty and staff. Winding its
way around the arena on the second floor
is an indoor walking track, while the
administrative and coaching offices are
located at the front of the facility.
Teams have six fully equipped locker
rooms, with a state-of-the art athletic
training facility nearby, with
sufficient room to tend to the medical
needs of the many student-athletes who
utilize it. In addition, two separate
locker rooms are available for students,
faculty and staff use during the
building’s regular operating hours.
With the completion of this facility,
students have unprecedented
opportunities for recreation and
fitness, the classical complement to the
liberal arts environment for which
Montevallo is known.
Support for the McChesney Student
Activity Center is recognized at sites
throughout the Center. For additional
information, contact the Office of
University Advancement.
The University of
Montevallo sports teams have the
opportunity to compete at facilities that are among the best in NCAA
Division II athletics. Information on each facility is listed below.
For more information on the UM
facilities,
feel free to contact the University of
Montevallo athletic department at (205)
665-6600.
OTHER SPORTS FACILITIES
Baseball (Kermit A. Johnson Field)
