UNCW has expanded its health and wellness amenities, offering Seahawks more opportunities to strengthen their wings and fly. The new Shoreline Sports Complex provides enhanced spaces for general use, intramural sports, sports clubs and the beach volleyball team. The facility opened on Nov. 17.
The complex includes:
- Four lighted sand volleyball courts
- Four lighted basketball courts
- Four lighted tennis courts (two courts lined for pickle)
- A lighted, large grass field for competitive sports
- A lighted, smaller grass field for free play
- Outdoor fitness area
- Pavilion building (seating, equipment check-out, and restrooms)
- Multiple water fountain/bottle filling stations.
“Our Seahawks deserve great spaces like this new complex to bring balance to their academic endeavors,” said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. “This space will serve as a multi-purpose venue for students to recreate, for intramural events, and as a new practice and competition venue for our nationally prominent sports club teams. As we continue to make progress towards our strategic plan, this is a great example of how UNCW continues to enhance its indoor and outdoor facilities. ”
The sports complex was built with flexibility in mind. For example, the sand volleyball courts can be used for various intramural sports, and the lines on the tennis courts allow users the option of pickle or tennis. The flex field can be used for free play, yoga or special events when the main field is in use. The green space around the facility gives the campus community opportunities to congregate and enjoy the outdoors.
“As a student and club athlete, getting to participate in the sport that I love in a complex as nice as this located right on campus makes a big impact on my ability to succeed inside and outside of the classroom,” said Andres Pazos ’24, Sports Club Council president and Tennis Club president. “The Shoreline Sports Complex will positively impact our sports club program and the hundreds of fellow students who will get to use this amazing space.”
The complex is among the latest efforts to improve and enhance spaces dedicated to health and wellness. The free weight area in the Pat Leonard Student Recreation Center recently underwent improvements, including new equipment, a multi-functional turf bay and power racks.
“Coupled with our already exceptional Pat Leonard Student Recreation Center and the competitive sports fields at the front of campus, this addition to UNCW’s campus recreation model will enable us to continue to broadly meet the recreation and well-being needs of our growing campus,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Mike Walker.
The complex will also serve as the site for the women’s beach volleyball team’s home matches.
“We’re excited to have this opportunity to have our beach volleyball program play on campus,” said UNCW Director of Athletics Michael Oblinger. “The Shoreline Sports Complex is one of the finest facilities in the area and we’re looking forward to competing there. It’s central location on campus gives our UNCW community quicker access to come and support the Seahawks.”
