JCU Celebrates Grand Opening of New Athletic, Wellness & Event Center

John Carroll University officially opened its new Athletic, Wellness & Event (AWE) Center on Tuesday, September 9, as students, faculty, staff, alumni, board members, and community partners filled the 125,000-square-foot facility, their cheers and awe setting the tone for the celebration.

The ceremony began inside the AWE Center at 4:30 p.m., with attendees greeted by gleaming new courts, an expansive indoor track, and modern spaces with beautiful views of JCU's campus. The Pep Band and cheer squad rallied the crowd, and free AWE t-shirts gave the night an unmistakable Blue Streak energy.

President Al Miciak wasted no time drawing on that excitement. "Before I begin, I want to hear a little noise from you, our students," he said, as roars echoed throughout the facility. He continued, "The Athletic, Wellness & Event Center is more than a building; it's a tangible piece of our inspired futures strategy and it underscores our continued investment in the student experience at JCU."

Student-athletes shared in the excitement of the new space and the opportunities it will bring.

Dakota Houston '28 - a standout on the women's track & field team with four All-American honors, eight OAC medals, a Female Rookie of the Year award, and a four-time school record breaker - took the stage to describe what the facility means for her team.

"For our track and field program, the AWE Center is a game-changer," said Houston. "Instead of driving forty-five minutes to the SPIRE in Geneva for training, we now have a facility we can call our own, right here on campus."

After the seated program, guests poured into the rest of the facility. Coaches and staff highlighted features as attendees explored the Athletic Hall of Fame, cutting-edge training and recovery areas, and new varsity locker rooms. Outside, food trucks and games added to the celebratory atmosphere.

The evening concluded with a President's Reception on the Main Quad, where guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and dinner under a tent, with the setting sun casting a warm glow across the quad. President Miciak and senior leaders offered remarks, reflecting on the importance of a facility that elevates student life. The night ended with a sense of gratitude and momentum for John Carroll's future.

A Transformative Facility

The AWE Center offers wide-ranging opportunities for Blue Streaks to learn, compete, and build community. Key features include:

• A six-lane, 200-meter indoor track, and a 350-seat event space
• Four multi-purpose courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, and pickleball
• Dedicated space for indoor field and throwing events
• Baseball and softball batting cages
• The new Korb Family Wrestling Room for men's and women's wrestling training
• Varsity locker rooms and state-of-the-art training and recovery areas
• Flexible classrooms, labs, and meeting spaces
• A new home for the John Carroll Athletic Hall of Fame

Beyond the building itself, the project added enhancements to campus, including a quad and green space between the Johnson Natatorium and the AWE Center, a covered walkway along the side of the fieldhouse, and a large patio designed to accommodate future expansion.

"This building is an amazing marker of all the progress that has been made," said Bill Donnelly '83, Co-Chair of the JCU Board of Directors. "Thank you President Miciak and the entire team for what you've done to move us forward. JCU is undoubtedly a better school today than it was five years ago."

Built with Blue Streak Pride

The Walsh Group, one of the largest construction companies in the United States, served as the builder for the project. Walsh leaders with strong John Carroll ties, including Co-Chairman Dan Walsh '69, President Sean Walsh '94, and Managing Director of Real Estate Investments Brian Walsh '05, joined other alumni in celebrating the dedication. Guests praised the massive scale of the building and the attention to student-focused design.

The dedication of the AWE Center marked the latest milestone in John Carroll's three-year, $100 million Inspired Futures investments to expand academic offerings, elevate the student experience, and transform campus facilities. Next on the horizon is the Gateway North project, a mixed-use retail and residential development on Fairmount Circle, expected to be completed in fall 2026.

"I am overcome with excitement, gratitude, and pride," said Brian Polian, Vice President for Athletics and National Engagement. "Every student on our campus who wants to take advantage of this facility will be able to do so. It's a great day to be a Blue Streak."

With the AWE Center now open, John Carroll stands ready to serve current students and build a foundation for generations of Blue Streaks to come.