Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center

Project Statement

The Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center (SAPC) is a state-of-the-art facility designed to reshape the future of Blue Raider Athletics and elevate the daily experience for all Middle Tennessee State University student-athletes. Located at the north end of Floyd Stadium, this new facility serves as the permanent home for MTSU Football, while also offering a centralized hub for performance, preparation, and recovery across every aspect of the student-athlete journey for MTSU’s 17 teams.
Designed to support the complete student-athlete experience, the SAPC brings every essential element under one roof. The facility includes the SRM Concrete Club – a premium hospitality and viewing space for fans and donors; a team meeting room equipped with advanced audiovisual technology for full-team sessions; and the TOA Athletic Training Center, which enhances recovery and wellness for all sports.
The building also features a state-of-the-art locker room designed for comfort and function, complete with integrated storage, personalized spaces and a dedicated players’ lounge for relaxation and team connection. From strength training and film review to recovery and rehabilitation, the layout and amenities ensure that every Blue Raider is able to reach their full potential.
From concept to completion, the design team focused on purposeful, athlete-centered design. Each space – from meeting rooms and training areas to lounges and offices – was thoughtfully crafted to support every phase of a player’s journey.
Throughout the interiors, MTSU’s colors and branding are woven into the design through custom graphics, signage and finishes, reinforcing a strong sense of pride and identity. The result is a high-performance environment that reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to excellence and the holistic development of every Blue Raider.
The first floor welcomes all student-athletes, with a focus on MTSU Football’s locker and weight room. There is a player lounge for time between classes and practices, as well as a nutrition center for meals. The second floor caters to meeting space for MTSU Football. It has multiple meeting rooms for different teams, as well as a large auditorium-style room for full-team meetings. On the third floor, the SRM Concrete Club enhances the gameday experience by offering fans premium amenities and views in the North End Zone, while also serving as a dining area for athletes during normal operations.

Design for Equitable Communities

The SAPC is not only designed for MTSU football, but with all student-athletes in mind. It is creating equitable opportunities for sports across all abilities and genders. The spaces are shared not only for equity, but for community among groups. The flow and setup of the spaces encourages interaction between sports, creating a shared space for all. Additionally, the space will welcome fans on gameday, giving them an up-close look at student life.

Design for Well-Being

Student athletes carry a lot of weight physically and mentally. The SAPC is designed for rest and relaxation between class, practices and games. The facility offers personalized spaces for private or group gatherings. This will allow the students a place to truly unwind during their most hectic seasons.

Design for Change

MTSU has needed something like this for its athletes for quite some time. Previous facilities were not flexible to the everchanging needs of college athletics. The new SAPC is designed to grow with MTSU athletics and college athletics as a whole.