The spacious Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center is a favorite gathering place for Lamar University students eager to enjoy the many recreational sports opportunities and amenities it has to offer. The Umphrey Center is the latest —and largest— quality-of-life enhancement on the Lamar University campus.
Students were introduced to finer dining fare in newly opened $6.2 million dining hall in 2006, and the fourth phase of Lamar’s state-of-the-art student housing, Cardinal Village, opened in 2007, bringing the on-campus housing total to more than 2,000 students.
Financial support for the state-of-the-art Umphrey Center comes largely from an additional student fee assessed to all students enrolled at the university. Lamar University students voted for and passed a referendum in April 2004 approving the charge and the construction of the center. The facility is available for use by faculty and staff of the university on a fee basis, and members of Lamar’s alumni association at the Century Club level and above are eligible to purchase a membership as well.
The 129,550-square-foot building is named the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center in recognition of the largest gift in the university’s history. Sheila, and her husband, Walter, presented a $5 million gift to the university in December 2005.
The facility encompasses the landmark McDonald Gym, with spectator seating for volleyball and basketball games. The renovated areas and new construction include 13,000 square feet of cardiovascular and free-weight training; a one-tenth-mile walking/jogging track; a 43-foot climbing wall; basketball, volleyball and badminton courts; racquetball, handball and squash courts; a wellness and fitness center; health food café and juice bar; lounge areas with pool tables; an outdoor putting green; and air hockey, foosball, video games and TV.
Lamar joins a growing number of universities where students have financed similar quality of life facilities. The new recreational sports center provides the university with exceptional facilities compared to those at other universities in Texas.
This facility addresses the needs and desires of the student body and is an integral component of the university community as a whole. The availability of quality of life facilities and programs such as aerobics, yoga, martial arts and dance are an important part of a holistic university experience. The new center is a vital addition to LU campus life and a significant demonstration of the university’s commitment to its students.
The new recreational sports center enhances the enjoyment of individual recreational activities, intramural sports, club sports, special events, wellness and other organized programs. In addition to these, the new center provides several lounge areas for students to mix and mingle or hold organization and club meetings in a more leisurely environment. The center also expands opportunities for on-campus student employment.
