UTSA’s First ‘Stadium’

As UTSA breaks ground on the first phase of construction of the new, 125-acre Park West Athletics Complex, I thought it would be interesting to look back at UTSA’s first athletic ‘stadium.’  Since UTSA did not begin participating in collegiate athletics until the fall of the 1981-1982 school year, the university’s first athletics facilities were built to serve the physical education program and intramural athletics. The university’s convocation center, completed in 1975 as part of the first phase of university construction, served the university as a multi-purpose center for convocations, physical education classes, and intramural sports.

UTSA ‘Stadium,’ 10-23-1975. San Antonio Express-News Photograph Collection, MS 360, #0036108.

UTSA ‘Stadium,’ 10-23-1975. San Antonio Express-News Photograph Collection, MS 360, #0036108.

But UTSA’s first ‘stadium’ was little more than a mowed field adjacent to the UTSA campus with a wire fence backstop, a few trash cans, and a diminutive sign with the spray painted letters “UTSA stadium.” The field was used for outdoor sports, such as softball and baseball, until better playing fields were constructed along with the university tennis courts and running track in 1977.