Cougars Hold Ceremonial Groundbreaking for FOC
11/18/2023 2:17:00 PM | Football
Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center set to open in August 2025
HOUSTON – The University of Houston held its ceremonial groundbreaking Friday afternoon for the Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center, its $130 million state-of-the-art facility projected to open in August 2025.
The operations center, designed by DLR Group and Page, will house a wide variety of amenities including sports performance centers, an academic support services suite, a leading-edge locker room facility, student-athlete flex space, and office space to house football coaching and support staff.
The complex will also provide additional seating to TDECU Stadium with 14 suites, a 450-seat club section with access to an 11,000-square-foot club, and a 300-seat roof terrace facing inward to John O'Quinn Field.
"To have an entity as prestigious as Memorial Hermann step up and put their name on a very visible and important component in our Football Operations Center is gratifying and humbling," UH Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. "It comes at a great time as we join the Big 12 and break ground on our facility at the end of the 2023 season."
Tilman Fertitta, chairman of the board of regents of the University of Houston System, also addressed Houston Football's freshmen and sophomore student-athletes who were in attendance and will be among the first to move into the new facility ahead of the 2025 season.
"This is all about you guys. You're going to get to enjoy one of the best football facilities in the United States in college football," Fertitta said.
For Houston Football Head Coach Dana Holgorsen, who has regularly heralded the program's practice setup, featuring two outdoor grass fields and its Indoor Practice Facility – which opened in December 2017 – as among the best in college football, the FOC will put Houston on par with its Big 12 Conference peers.
"This is the final piece of the puzzle," Holgorsen said. "This facility will make our day-to-day one of the best in the country."
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Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
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The operations center, designed by DLR Group and Page, will house a wide variety of amenities including sports performance centers, an academic support services suite, a leading-edge locker room facility, student-athlete flex space, and office space to house football coaching and support staff.
The complex will also provide additional seating to TDECU Stadium with 14 suites, a 450-seat club section with access to an 11,000-square-foot club, and a 300-seat roof terrace facing inward to John O'Quinn Field.
"To have an entity as prestigious as Memorial Hermann step up and put their name on a very visible and important component in our Football Operations Center is gratifying and humbling," UH Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. "It comes at a great time as we join the Big 12 and break ground on our facility at the end of the 2023 season."
Tilman Fertitta, chairman of the board of regents of the University of Houston System, also addressed Houston Football's freshmen and sophomore student-athletes who were in attendance and will be among the first to move into the new facility ahead of the 2025 season.
"This is all about you guys. You're going to get to enjoy one of the best football facilities in the United States in college football," Fertitta said.
For Houston Football Head Coach Dana Holgorsen, who has regularly heralded the program's practice setup, featuring two outdoor grass fields and its Indoor Practice Facility – which opened in December 2017 – as among the best in college football, the FOC will put Houston on par with its Big 12 Conference peers.
"This is the final piece of the puzzle," Holgorsen said. "This facility will make our day-to-day one of the best in the country."
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
– UHCougars.com –