Iowa State University Athletics
Stark Performance Center Is Open For Business
09.10.2021 | Athletics
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University dedicated the $90 million Stark Performance Center (SPC) on Friday. The lead donors for the project, Richard and Joan Stark, of Woolstock, Iowa, as well as other project benefactors were present at the ceremony.
This state-of-the-art facility further enhances the vision set forth by Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard, who spoke at the ceremony.
Pollard thanked all the donors who made this facility a reality. It is, without a doubt, one of the top student-athlete centers of its kind nationally.
"This facility is the largest ever undertaken by our athletics department and it's also the largest privately funded facility on the Iowa State campus," said Pollard. "This puts in context the support of our generous donors to make this project possible. This project will have a tremendous impact on all 450 student-athletes."
The Starks spoke briefly about helping Iowa State making this dream a reality.
"I have so much pride in Iowa State University," Richard Stark said. "I can't believe this moment is even here. Standing in front of this building, I am so grateful and flattered to be a part of this."
Iowa State President Dr. Wendy Wintersteen stressed how important it is to have top-notch facilities to recruit and retain personnel and students.
"The Stark Performance Center represents Iowa State's commitment to excellence in Cyclone athletics," Wintersteen said. "This facility is truly a game-changer for our student-athletes, from academic achievement, mental and physical wellness and career planning. This facility provides a holistic support for every aspect of the student-athlete experience."
The Stark Performance Center has it all. The overall project, which includes the expansion of the Bergstrom Football Complex, is an incredible asset for all Cyclone student-athletes, including the football program with a brand new locker room, player's lounge, nutrition center, sports medicine center and staff offices.
Cyclone football now utilizes nearly 8,000 square feet of locker room space that features 700 square feet of LED videoboard with an adjacent player's lounge/game room.
Iowa State's nationally-ranked football team isn't the only program to benefit from the SPC. It's a multi-purpose facility erected to give all Cyclone student-athletes the essential tools to succeed during their scholastic and athletic careers
Iowa State's Rod and Connie French Student-Athlete Success Center is located on the third level of the SPC, an area that has nearly tripled its tutoring rooms to 26 from its previous location at the Hixson-Lied Center. There will be a state-of-the-art classroom, two learning labs and mental health/wellness room.
Another wonderful element of the SPC is the addition of a dining hall/nutrition center on the fourth floor. All student-athletes now have the resource of full-time chefs and nutrition specialists to aid in their competitive goals. There is also new space for Iowa State's Student-Athlete and Letterwinner Engagement team. In addition, the soccer, softball, golf and tennis teams will be housed in the Olsen Olympic Sports Center, named in honor of Ralph A. Olsen.
Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell has already noticed his team benefitting from the new facility.
"Jamie Pollard and Dr. Wintersteen have done a phenomenal job in their vision, not just for football, but for all Iowa State student-athletes, to help create this wonderful facility," Campbell said. "When you go up to the third floor and you look at the academic center and see what you have in the ability to do with tutoring is amazing. The nutrition area on the fourth floor is phenomenal. To be able to house all of these outstanding resources in one place shows a huge commitment for our sports programs. Anytime you can show a commitment from a university and athletic department like this to a student-athlete, I think that's huge."
The north end zone of MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium also received upgrades, including the addition of Albaugh Family Plaza, a new north walkway connecting the east and west concourses, permanent seating for the marching band, and the addition of an LED board that will welcome fans to the north entrance.
Pollard gave praise to Substance Architecture, the firm that designed the building, and Neumann Brothers, the general contractor for the facility, as well as the Iowa State University Faciliites, Planning, & Management staff who managed the project.
