Advancing Athletics Through a Unified Training and Competition Hub  

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Howard L. Hawks Training Center establishes a centralized home for basketball and volleyball east of Baxter Arena. Designed to support performance, identity, and recruitment, the facility brings training, competition, and student-athlete life together under one roof.

Designing a Cohesive, High-Performance Athletics Environment 

Inspired by the architectural language of Baxter Arena, the facility leverages bold geometry and material contrast to create a distinct yet contextual identity. 

A restrained palette of corrugated metal and glass delivers high impact with economical materials. Carefully placed glazing enhances visibility and connection, while the building’s sculptural form activates light and shadow throughout the day. Passive strategies — including curved solar shading fins, self-shading massing, and solar wall technology — reduce energy demand while maintaining transparency and comfort, resulting in a facility where building performance aligns with athletic performance.

The facility is designed for flexibility, supporting daily training and academic life while seamlessly transforming into a competition venue capable of hosting up to approximately 1,200 spectators. Strategic adjacencies between courts, sports performance, and sports medicine spaces reinforce a holistic approach to athlete development, recovery, and success.

Key design features:

• Three practice courts adaptable for basketball and volleyball training and competition
• 800 retractable bleacher seats and additional courtside seating
• Central lobby and circulation core connecting programs, academic spaces, and spectator areas
• Elevated overlook and second-floor connection to Baxter Arena
• Dedicated sports performance and sports medicine suites, including hydrotherapy amenities
• Team-specific locker rooms and lounges supporting both athletic and academic needs