As Schreiner University begins its ninth decade of
“whole person” education, the Board of Trustees,
students, faculty and staff share a vision to enhance
Schreiner’s commitment to balanced growth in mind, body
and spirit. At the heart of that vision is the
Mountaineer Center—a fitness, recreation and athletic
complex to serve the entire campus and the broader Hill
Country community.
Located on the east side of campus and harmonizing with
the other buildings, the Mountaineer Center complex will
provide quality space for academic classes, physical
fitness, recreation programs, and community events, as
well as serve as the efficient and modern headquarters
for all of Schreiner’s intercollegiate and intramural
athletics.
When the first phase of the Mountaineer Center is
completed in 2009, it will do much more than offer
Schreiner’s students a safe and attractive place to
train, learn and gather. The Mountaineer Center will be
a powerful recruiting tool. Students indicate that
recreation and fitness facilities are a primary factor
in their college choice. In fact, a national survey of
college applicants indicates that complexes like
Mountaineer Center rank first on their lists of
necessary facilities.
When we achieve our enrollment goal of 1,200 students,
Schreiner will realize a point of financial stability
that it has never before experienced. With expanded
financial resources, academic programs available to our
students will grow in number, quality and prestige.
Enhanced modern facilities for baseball, softball,
tennis, basketball, soccer and volleyball will help
attract and retain student athletes, who comprise more
than 30 percent of Schreiner’s student body.
As an NCAA Division III school, we do not offer athletic
scholarships, so we must be vigilant about providing
support and facilities to promote success. Schreiner is
a member of the American Southwest Conference, made up
primarily of small, private, church-related
institutions. Currently, Schreiner’s facilities are
easily the worst in the 16-member league. Our current
gym was built in the 1970’s, and many prospective
athletes remark that their high school facilities are
superior to Schreiner’s. With the Mountaineer Center,
Schreiner will recruit and attract the best
student-athletes in our region, giving more people
access to the quality educational opportunities we
offer.
The Mountaineer Center will help the region by
reflecting a thriving university with modern, attractive
facilities to people and businesses interested in
relocating here.
Higher education is a great economic engine. It prepares
individuals for productive—even transformational—roles
in our community and in society. Schreiner provides a
rich cultural life, collaboration in community projects,
and a core of skilled graduates to the region. A
first-rate university with high-quality programs and
top-flight facilities will attract people to the area,
create jobs, and improve the quality of life for all.
