Edwards Family Athletics Center - Facilities

Approximately 90 percent of what was an expected $50M required for the construction project was secured from a variety of sources. A generous gift by Bruce and Diane Edwards – the largest in UC Davis Athletics history – served as the lead private contribution. Bruce Edwards is a member of the Class of 1960 who played football and ran track for UC Davis. Other seven-figure contributions were made by Bruce and Marie West and Mike and Renee Child, devoted supporters of UC Davis who have served in a number of volunteer leadership positions with Intercollegiate Athletics and the UC Davis Foundation. In addition, multiple six-figure gifts were made during the quiet phase of fundraising.

Said Bruce Edwards during the groundbreaking ceremony for the building that will feature his family's name, "this is a great day for UC Davis, UC Davis Health, UC Davis Athletics and a dream come true for me thanks to the leadership of Chancellor Gary May and (then) Director of Athletics Kevin Blue."

About the Edwards Family Athletics Center
The Edwards Family Athletics Center is a comprehensive academic, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and team facility. The more than 50,000-square-foot project, designed by Gensler and built by AECOM Hunt, will provide a new hub for Aggie student-athletes. As the exclusive provider of health care services to student-athletes, UC Davis Health will also serve students, faculty, staff and the Davis community from within the building's footprint with a new out-patient sports medicine clinic.

"Words cannot express the gratitude that we have for Bruce and Diane Edwards and his family as the lead donors to this project," UC Davis Athletics Director Rocko DeLuca said. "Bruce's generosity is not limited to this project and his giving spirit has made a transformational impact on our athletics department. He is an active participant in our university community and a friend to many of our coaches and staff. His vision for this project and positive attitude has helped rally our other donors to this project and we look forward to celebrating Bruce and Diane and the Edwards family this weekend."

This capital investment, unlike any project in department history, further strengthens ICA's commitment towards developing an environment that encourages student-athletes' personal growth, academic, athletic and positive post-graduate success.

"This facility is a resource unmatched by conference peers when comparing support services for student-athletes," UC Davis Senior Associate Athletics Director Liz Martin said. "Internally, with our great development staff and externally, as supporters with a variety of interests, came together to create this one-stop-shop. I particularly appreciate how many people understood the vision of the Edwards Family Athletics Center and stepped up to the next level with their donations to achieve such an impressive facility."

The Paul and Nancy Sallaberry Sports Performance Center is the biggest space within the new facility, providing a greater number of student-athletes and teams with the ability to work out at more convenient times. Compared to the current weight room located at Toomey Field, the new training area is nearly four times larger in size.

In addition, to team meeting rooms that will provide ample areas for teams to study and prepare for games, the Bruce and Marie West Auditorium will seat 140 individuals and is available for student-athletes, coaches and UC Davis students to organize large gatherings. The Edwards Family Athletics Center features technology throughout the entire building that allows coaches to use these meeting rooms, or the auditorium, as a second office.

The Klein Family Educational and Professional Success Center provides additional quiet space for student-athletes to study for exams, work on class projects or enjoy a break from their daily class and workout schedules. This area includes offices for Aggie EVO leaders, opportunities for student-athletes to network, participate in Aggie EVO-related programming, conduct mock interviews and continue preparing for a successful launch upon graduation.

Centrally located to allow maximum efficiency and collaboration with strength and conditioning staff, the Muir Family Sports Medicine Center will become the new home for athletic trainers, doctors and unit leadership. One of the largest areas of the building will feature hot and cold tubs — a common tool for recovery — to help sports medicine and strength staff implement modern and more effective injury prevention and recovery plans.

Every team will have the opportunity to train on Bob Biggs Field — a natural grass area located adjacent to the building and named for the UC Davis alumnus and legendary football coach. This new field will eliminate the need for student-athletes to travel across campus and practice on natural grass and help them create the most time-efficient schedule each week.

In addition to support staff, football, basketball, lacrosse and field hockey coaches will permanently move to the Edwards Family Athletics Center. Conveniently located near the site of practice and competition, this new office complex provides opportunities for everyone to showcase UC Davis Athletics' points of pride to recruits and additional areas to conduct player or team meetings and prep for games.

During the facility's construction, a full renovation of the Bob Foster Team Center was also completed to maximize available space within the building's footprint. The "new" Foster Center includes updated locker rooms, offices, a football lounge, and equipment space for football, lacrosse and field hockey.

The Edwards Family Athletics Center will include training facilities, a sports medicine center, a home for academic support and the Aggie EVO System, athletic offices for multiple sport programs.

Edwards Family Athletics Center Timeline
November 15, 2018 – The Student-Athlete Performance Center (now Edwards Family Athletics Center) project was announced with initial renderings and press conference.

August 20, 2019 – UC Davis Health announces a naming rights deal with UC Davis Athletics for Aggie Stadium (now UC Davis Health Stadium). The agreement includes UC Davis Health as a tenant in the new Edwards Family Athletics Center, pushing the size of the project to 52,000 square feet.

October 20, 2019 – The Bob Biggs Practice Field is completed as the first component of the project. The all-grass facility was named for Bob Biggs, retired head football coach from 1994-2012, after a group of alumni, friends, and teammates of Bob successfully raised $1M to name the space.

May 5, 2020 – Site prep begins at center construction site, and web-cams are installed for people to follow along with progress.

June 24, 2020 – The Edwards Family Athletics Center officially broke ground at the corner of Hutchison Blvd and La Rue Road. The event was live-streamed online and featured prominent donors to the project.

March 10, 2021 – A major construction milestone (placement of last structural steel beam) was celebrated with a traditional "Topping Out" ceremony.

September 12, 2022 – Aggie student-athletes set foot in the Edwards Family Athletics Center for the first time as the weight room became available for use.

September 24, 2022 – Building officially opens with Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony prior to UC Davis vs. Weber State Football game.