News Summary
Augusta University has opened the Alvin and Yvette Harris Sports Performance Center, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at enhancing student-athlete training. The center, located in Christenberry Fieldhouse, is approximately 4,000 square feet and equipped with advanced training equipment. A ribbon-cutting ceremony saw over 100 attendees, where university leaders praised its impact on training efficiency and recruitment efforts. The facility reflects Alvin and Yvette Harris’s commitment to supporting Augusta University through philanthropy, promising lasting benefits for the athletic programs.
Augusta, GA – Augusta University officially opened the Alvin and Yvette Harris Sports Performance Center on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The new facility, located inside Christenberry Fieldhouse on the Forest Hills Campus, aims to enhance the training and personal growth of student-athletes at the university.
More than 100 guests, including university leaders, current student-athletes, and friends and family of Alvin and Yvette Harris, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Augusta University President Russell T. Keen called the center a “game-changer” for the athletic program, emphasizing its role in elevating the training and competitive experience of student-athletes.
The facility spans approximately 4,000 square feet and offers state-of-the-art training equipment such as weight benches, treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, and multiple fitness training tools. The center is designed to accommodate more students safely and comfortably compared to the previous weight room, which was significantly smaller, at least four times the size of its predecessor.
New Strength and Conditioning Coach Jacob Topple remarked that the upgraded facility has substantially improved training efficiency. With the capacity to manage 40 to 50 athletes in sessions lasting just 45 minutes, the center encourages optimal use of training time for the athletes.
Senior golfer Dean Wilken highlighted that the new gym serves as a vital resource for team bonding and enhancing both mental and physical strength among players. Junior women’s basketball player Sierra Burns expressed that the unlimited access to the new equipment provides student-athletes with a significant advantage in their training regime.
Athletic Director Ryan Erlacher pointed out that the Harris Sports Performance Center will play an essential role in recruiting and retaining student-athletes, reinforcing Augusta University’s commitment to first-class athletic training facilities.
Alvin and Yvette Harris’s connection to Augusta University dates back nearly 30 years, marked by a longstanding history of philanthropy. The couple has previously supported various initiatives at the university, including the establishment of the Alvin & Yvette Harris Scholarship Endowment, which provides need-based scholarships for undergraduate students. They have also contributed to the Harris-Horizon Jazz Program and other university foundations, solidifying their legacy within the institution.
The opening of the Alvin and Yvette Harris Sports Performance Center is expected to have a lasting positive impact on Augusta University’s athletic programs, ensuring that student-athletes have access to cutting-edge facilities that enhance their training and overall educational experience.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Augusta University Cuts Ribbon on New Sports Performance Center
- Wikipedia: Augusta University
- WJBF: Augusta University Celebrates Opening of Sports Performance Center
- Google Search: Augusta University Sports Performance Center
- The Augusta Press: Augusta University Opens Sports Performance Center
- Google Scholar: Augusta University Sports Facilities
- WRDW: AU Cuts Ribbon on New Sports Performance Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sports Performance Centers
- Augusta Jags: Ribbon Cut at Alvin and Yvette Harris Sports Performance Center
- Google News: Augusta University
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