Education

For families on San Antonio’s South Side, the opening of Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s new $10 million Track and Field Complex represents more than another campus construction project. It brings new athletic opportunities, expanded community space and another visible sign of the university’s continued growth as a destination campus for Bexar County students.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio recently celebrated the grand opening of the new athletic complex, a major milestone for Jaguar Athletics and for a part of the city where access to large-scale sports facilities remains limited. The project was supported by a $10 million investment from Bexar County and is expected to serve both university athletes and the broader community.

The Friday, June 26 ceremony brought together university and county leaders, including A&M-San Antonio President Salvador Hector Ochoa, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and Bexar County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores.

A New Athletic Hub for A&M-San Antonio and the South Side

The new Track and Field Complex includes an eight-lane competition track, a multipurpose field and a renovated softball field with a press box, dugouts and seating for 350 spectators.

For student-athletes, that means a stronger place to train, compete and build the kind of campus traditions that often define college life. For nearby residents, it means a new community asset in a growing area of San Antonio where sports fields and organized recreation spaces are in high demand.

“These new athletic facilities will enable us to better serve our student body and the community as we continue our journey toward becoming a destination campus for not only Bexar County, but all of Texas,” Ochoa said. “This expansion reflects the University's pioneering spirit and our commitment to creating new opportunities to engage with the community, recruit students from across the state, and attract new supporters and partners.”

Texas A&M University-San Antonio, located at One University Way on the city’s South Side, has grown rapidly in recent years as it works to expand academic programs, campus life and student services. The university’s athletics program has become an increasingly visible part of that growth since intercollegiate sports launched in 2020.

Jaguar Athletics Prepares for Its Largest Expansion Yet

The timing of the new complex is especially important for A&M-San Antonio athletics. Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, Jaguar Athletics will add six varsity sports in a single year: men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, and men’s and women’s cross country.

The move marks the largest expansion in the history of the university’s athletics program and brings new recruiting possibilities to San Antonio. Blair Sohl has been named the inaugural head coach for the new track and field and cross country programs.

The university currently has more than 130 student-athletes, with that number expected to grow to nearly 200 as the new sports come online. In addition to softball and the new track and field and cross country programs, A&M-San Antonio competes in men’s and women’s soccer, men’s golf, and men’s and women’s basketball.

For local high school athletes across San Antonio, Bexar County and South Texas, the expansion could also create more pathways to continue competing at the college level closer to home.

Softball Program Already Building Momentum

The renovated softball field is already becoming part of A&M-San Antonio’s athletic story. The Jaguars hosted their first softball games at the new campus stadium in January, sweeping a doubleheader in their historic home opener.

Under head coach Nicole Dame, the softball team finished the 2026 season with a 26-18 overall record and a 17-10 mark in Red River Athletic Conference play, giving the program one of its most successful seasons to date.

That early success matters for a young athletics department still building its identity. Each win, each home game and each new facility adds to the university’s effort to create a stronger campus culture for students who want more than classrooms alone from their college experience.

Why the New Complex Matters Beyond Campus

The new athletic complex is designed to serve more than Jaguar Athletics. University officials said the facilities will also be available for community use, creating space for sports, activities and events in an area where families, youth programs and local organizations often need more options.

That community access is a key part of why the project carries broader significance. On the South Side, where A&M-San Antonio has become an anchor institution, campus investments can ripple outward — supporting students, families, youth athletics and neighborhood pride.

“Jaguar Athletics serves as the front porch of our University, welcoming others to experience what makes A&M-San Antonio such a special place,” said Dr. Darnell Smith, director of athletics. “The new athletic complex and the addition of new sports programs create tremendous opportunities for student-athletes and contribute to a more vibrant campus culture. This is an incredibly exciting moment for Jaguar Athletics and for the University.”

A Growing Campus With a Community Role

For A&M-San Antonio, the new Track and Field Complex is part of a larger transformation. The university is working to strengthen its role as a destination campus not only for students across San Antonio, but also for students throughout Bexar County and Texas.

Athletics can play a meaningful part in that effort. College sports bring families to campus, create shared traditions, help recruit students and give alumni and local residents another reason to stay connected. For a young athletics program, the opening of a $10 million facility is a visible step toward building that long-term identity.

For South Side families, the impact may be felt in more practical ways as well: more games to attend, more student-athletes to cheer for, more recreational space and more evidence that major investment is continuing to reach this growing part of San Antonio.

What Happens Next

The next major step for Jaguar Athletics will come during the 2026-27 academic year, when the new track and field and cross country programs begin competition. As those teams take shape, the new complex is expected to become a central part of recruiting, training and community engagement.

For residents watching the South Side continue to grow, the facility is another reminder that A&M-San Antonio’s expansion is not happening in isolation. It is tied to the broader story of San Antonio’s future — one shaped by education, public investment, youth opportunity and community pride.

Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more updates on Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Jaguar Athletics, South Side development and community projects across Bexar County.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.