Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Crusader Stadium

  • 10/01/13
Crusader Stadium 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX, an NCAA Division III institution, initially explored the addition of an oncampus football stadium as part of a 2011 campus master plan. Since the program began in 1998 they have played at a local high school field. With the ultimate goal of transforming the student-life experience and unifying campus, the university began working with Populous to design an experience that would set a new standard for the collegiate football experience in Division III athletics. The 7,671-seat stadium, which opened on September 21, 2013, is the most integrated expression of student life and athletics in collegiate sports to date, with a new student union building designed in tandem to serve as the backdrop for the east side of the stadium. The design team and leadership from the university were determined to create a facility that went beyond football to provide an experience that would substantially impact the day-to-day experience of all students, not just athletes.

Crusader Stadium has become the new center of a “student activity zone” on campus. The facility will be open to students at all times and on-campus events, from movie nights to speakers to commencement, will be hosted once again at Mary Hardin-Baylor. In addition, the incorporation of a unique blend of premium seating options and amenities tailored to Crusader fans ensures that the stadium will remain viable and become a true community asset for Belton.

In addition to serving as a crucial component to recruiting elite talent and developing a top NCAA Division III football program, the stadium is also drawing attention from prospective students. By skillfully merging student life and athletics, Crusader Stadium provides the university with something they’ve never had before — a true home-field advantage.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management October 2013 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • New City School

    Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Transforming New City School

    When New City School in St. Louis suffered catastrophic flood damage in July 2022, the event could have marked a serious setback for the 100-year-old institution. Instead, it became a forward-looking opportunity.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • Niles West High School Natatorium Renovation

    Natatoriums are highly specialized spaces, and luminaires in this setting face several unique challenges. Perhaps the most significant is corrosion, which is exacerbated by high indoor humidity, condensation, and pool chemicals, often resulting in material degradation in luminaires not certified to perform in corrosive environments.

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

Digital Edition