Improvements to Augusta University Athletics Facilities Ongoing

In the fall of 2022, Ryan Erlacher became the third Director of Athletics in the history of Augusta University, following in the footsteps of the late Marvin Vanover and more recently, Clint Bryant. 

Erlacher ascertained immediately that one of his first priorities would be upgrading the athletic facilities at the school. Christenberry Fieldhouse was now over 35 years old and in need of a facelift. 

 “You want to make a great first impression when you drive up to our facility and it was just lacking,” Erlacher said. “There was a lot of opportunity inside from a branding point to modernize the space.”  

He was determined to make it a more inviting space for students, fans, and supporters. 

Work on the exterior should conclude in early spring, and Erlacher said he is very happy with the progress being made inside. A President’s Box is currently under construction which Erlacher says will allow the school to host events during game days as well as other times of the year. The box should accommodate about 70 people with a catering kitchen adjacent to the space. The biggest project, Erlacher said, is a weight room being constructed for the school’s athletic program. 

“This will be a stand-alone facility and we’re in the process of hiring a weight coach to train and coach in that space,” he said. “That’ll be the biggest game changer for our program because it touches every single student athlete now and for years to come. It’s really what we’ve been missing, we really don’t have that state-of-the-art training facility for our student athletes and it’s going to really open the door for us.” 

Despite the progress being made at Christenberry, Erlacher said there are still construction projects and upgrades he would like to see executed. “We need a track facility for our track and field teams,” he said. “We’re using space in the community for which we are very grateful, but there is not one full time member of the conference that has a track facility, that alone would be huge for us if we could get there.”  

He said he would also love to see an indoor training facility on the Forest Hills campus for use during inclement weather. 

Erlacher said he's proud of what’s taken place at the baseball facility over the last year with the addition of lights, permanent seating, new batting cages, and new padding on the outfield fences - which allows for more branding opportunities. They are also working on new locker rooms.  

“We’ve had unbelievable feedback from alumni and fans and students,” he said. “It’s a great place to come and watch a ballgame.”