Carnegie Mellon University Completes Major Athletics Facility Upgrades
(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - Carnegie Mellon University Athletics completed two significant capital projects this August: the full replacement of its outdoor tennis courts and the installation of a new synthetic turf field at Gesling Stadium. These upgrades highlight the university’s continued investment in enhancing the experience of varsity student-athletes, recreational users, and the campus community.
Tennis Court Replacement
The university’s aging six-court facility was replaced with a new post-tension concrete system, providing improved durability, playability, and long-term performance compared to traditional asphalt courts. The renovated facility also features a PlaySight camera system for practice recording and live match streaming, and a Daktronics video board serving as both a scoreboard and branding display.
“We are excited to deliver this significant upgrade to our tennis facilities,” said Josh Centor, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics. “These new courts provide an outstanding training and competition environment for our student-athletes while also serving the broader CMU community. This project underscores our ongoing commitment to investing in facilities that support both excellence in athletics and the health and wellness of our campus.”
Lackner Field Turf Replacement at Gesling Stadium
At Gesling Stadium, the playing surface was upgraded with FieldTurf’s Vertex Core 2.25-inch monofilament product, a premier turf system known for its playability and durability. A Therma Green SportLite 15 shock pad was also installed beneath the surface, improving shock absorption and extending the long-term performance of the field.
The project also introduced refreshed branding elements, including updated sideline and end zone designs. Most notably, the field now proudly bears the name of longtime football coach Rich Lackner, honoring his decades of leadership and contributions to Carnegie Mellon Athletics.
“We are thrilled about the new turf on Lackner Field, which represents an exciting investment in our facilities and the experience of our student-athletes,” Centor said. “It is a tremendous point of pride that this field carries the name of Rich Lackner, whose legacy was synonymous with Carnegie Mellon Football for decades. We are deeply grateful to our donors for making the field naming possible and to the university for its continued commitment to investing in our facilities.”
Commitment to Excellence
Both the tennis court replacement and turf installation are part of CMU Athletics’ broader strategy, as outlined in the 2023–2028 Strategic Plan to develop facilities that enhance competitive and learning opportunities for the Carnegie Mellon University community. Together, these projects demonstrate the university’s dedication to fostering health, wellness, and competitive excellence across the Carnegie Mellon community.