SMU welcomes a Boulevard game changer

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU community celebrates the beginning of a new era on the Boulevard with the dedication of the Indoor Performance Center, featuring Armstrong Fieldhouse, on September 6. Located at the corner of Bishop Boulevard and Binkley Avenue, the Indoor Performance Center is constructed in a Collegiate Georgian architectural style that blends with the traditional campus environment and features an indoor turf field as well as training, fitness and special event spaces.

“The Indoor Performance Center has long been a goal for our University, and we thank all the donors for making it a reality,” SMU President R. Gerald Turner said. “Students and student-athletes are already filling this beautiful multipurpose facility with Mustang spirit. We look forward to all the ways this welcoming space will enhance the SMU community and the Dallas community.”

Armstrong Fieldhouse, the primary component of the facility, was made possible by Bill Armstrong ’82 and Liz Armstrong ’82 and The Armstrong Foundation.

“Our family has a time-honored tradition of ‘boulevarding’ before home games, and some of our fondest memories involve SMU football,” Bill Armstrong said. “Events of all kinds are at the heart of the college experience, so we see this project as a real win-win for SMU.”

One of the first major events at Armstrong Fieldhouse will be the annual SMU Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony and banquet on November 7 during Homecoming Weekend.

“We believe the college experience extends well beyond the classroom and is integral to a full education,” Liz Armstrong said. “It’s really fun to be involved on campus and very rewarding to know we are impacting the future of the University.”

Many generous donors made the Indoor Performance Center possible. In addition to the Armstrongs, donors of more than $1 million are Gary T. Crum ’69 and Sylvie P. Crum; Paul B. Loyd, Jr. ’68 and Penny R. Loyd; David B. Miller ’72, ’73 and Carolyn L. Miller and The David B. Miller Family Foundation; and Garry A. Weber ’58.

They are joined by $1 million donors Kathryn H. Arata ’87, ’91 and Stephen L. Arata ’88; Stephanie Chantilis Bray ’85 and Bennie M. Bray; Richard H. Collins ’69 and The Calvert K. Collins Family Foundation; Daniel M. Doyle, Jr. and Nicole Kudelko Doyle ’94; Jennifer Gelety Flanagan ’82 and Martin L. Flanagan ’82; a gift in honor of Kyle D. Miller ’01; Ashley B. Smith and G. Stacy Smith; and William J. Ware ’01 and Richard ’68 and Katherine Ware.

Other major donors include Blake P. Bozman ’93 and Tara Bozman; Ashlee Hunt Kleinert ’88 and Chris Kleinert ’88; Rogge and Cathy Dunn Family; Kate Dykes and Sonny Dykes; Albon Head ’68, ’71 and Debbie Head; Irina Huemiller and Thomas L. Huemiller ’91; Lane M. Seliger; Kim M. Shaddock and William C. Shaddock ’74; Natalie Green Stollenwerck ’64 and Tom J. Stollenwerck ’62, ’65.

“This is beyond exciting to celebrate this special facility that elevates the SMU experience and inspires new energy for our campus community, our alumni and everyone who visits the Hilltop,” said Brad Cheves, SMU vice president for development and external affairs. “We are grateful to our supportive donors who share our commitment to creating an outstanding campus environment in every way.”

The Indoor Performance Center is located in the heart of campus on the former site of Perkins Natatorium and Barr Pool, in close proximity to the Loyd All-Sports Center. The 67,000-square-foot brick building faces Owen Arts Center, the renovation of which will kick off on Friday, November 8, at 4 p.m., during Homecoming Weekend. Together, these investments in the student experience will transform the Boulevard.

In the past two decades, SMU has invested more than $200 million to build new athletics facilities and renovate others – all reflective of championship-level competition. “The Indoor Performance Center is another visible, tangible reflection of the University’s commitment to competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics,” said Rick Hart, SMU’s director of athletics. “The future is bright for SMU Athletics.”

Featured spaces in the Indoor Performance Center include:

• Armstrong Fieldhouse includes two scoreboards, a video board, glass roll-up doors and translucent panels above the practice field to let in natural light. Housing the Weber Observation Deck and Loyd Field, Armstrong Fieldhouse incorporates tributes to SMU’s most famous football alumni.
• Loyd Field is outfitted with the same playing surface as Ford Stadium and will increase training flexibility for many of SMU’s sports programs, particularly during inclement weather. This space may be used by other campus and student groups when not programmed by Athletics.
• Miller Boulevard Ballroom is located on the ground floor, inside the main entrance off Bishop Boulevard. It serves as a multipurpose space that can accommodate banquets, presentations, meetings, hospitality and other social gatherings for athletics, as well as campus and community events.
• Crum Terrace, located on the second floor and visible from Bishop Boulevard and Binkley Avenue, is a premier outdoor event space.
• Weber Observation Deck, located indoors on the second floor, overlooks the Armstrong Fieldhouse and offers prime views of practices and other activities on Loyd Field.
• Recruiting Suite, located on the second floor, features the recruiting lounge, recruiting hospitality room and the upstairs lobby. With access to an outdoor terrace providing views of campus, the recruiting suite includes comfortable furniture, TVs, examples of uniform/helmet combinations and other displays showcasing great moments and players in SMU’s storied athletics history.
• Weight Room is located on the ground floor and has direct access to Loyd Field. It provides an additional strength and conditioning space for student-athletes.
• Letterwinners Plaza, a testament to over 100 years of SMU football history, features bricks with the names of all men and women who earned a football varsity letter as a student-athlete, manager or trainer since the program’s inception in 1915.

To learn more or to make a gift, please visit smu.edu/ipc.

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