MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — St. Thomas University (STU) announced the next step in its athletic evolution with plans to build a new state-of-the-art multi-use sports and entertainment venue that will expand upon AutoNation Field and further position the Bobcats as a premier National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program.
As part of the first phase, STU will deliver a shaded home grandstand with approximately 2,000 seats, along with a two-story suite area, before the start of the 2026-27 academic year.
"We are excited to break ground on the first phase of our stadium project," said Bill Rychel, Senior Vice President of Athletics. "This will create a great venue on our campus for our fans, and for our student-athletes to compete for championships."
Designed by DLR Group, the new venue will serve as the home for Bobcats Football, Flag Football, Men's and Women's Lacrosse, Men's and Women's Soccer, and Men's and Women's Rugby. The stadium will include a covered section for fans and premium spaces to support hosting and game-day engagement.
"It will be nice to have a covered section for our fans as well as the suites for our President to host guests," Vice President Rychel said. "Our Athletic Department has been on the rise over the past few years, so we wanted to build a stadium that helps solidify our status as one of the top programs in the country."
The project builds on the momentum created at AutoNation Field, which opened in fall 2021 and replaced Bobcat Turf Field. Since then, STU has hosted two NAIA Football Championship Series games, as well as three NAIA Men's Soccer Opening Round Brackets.
"The start of construction on our new stadium is a testament to the hard work and success of our student-athletes, coaches, and Athletics staff. It reflects our pursuit of excellence not only in the classroom, but also in competition. This new venue will stand as a lasting reminder of what we have already achieved, and of the championships still ahead," commented David A. Armstrong, J.D., President of St. Thomas University.
Additional project details, including future phases and enhancements, will be announced as planning and construction milestones are reached. Click here for pre-construction facility renders.
