The project, which has been funded solely through philanthropic gifts to The Campaign for Fearless Champions, represents the first step in Texas Tech's master plan for the Football Training Facility and later Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas Tech will begin construction on the Whitacre Center in April with an estimated completion date of early 2021.

"This is a pivotal moment for us as a department," Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. "We have proven we are investing in facilities that will attract the best student-athletes in the country. The Whitacre Center for Athletics Administration is an important first domino for a transformational investment in football. It will change the future of the program and help put Texas Tech Football where we all want it to be. Our future has never been brighter."

The Whitacre Center is a necessary first step in Texas Tech's three-part master plan and investment into the Texas Tech football program. Texas Tech will move its 80-plus employees currently housed in the south end zone building of Jones AT&T Stadium into the Whitacre Center once the facility is completed, paving the way for future renovations to the Football Training Facility.

From there, head coach Matt Wells and his staff will then move their day-to-day operations to the south end zone building while significant renovations take place inside the Football Training Facility. Texas Tech Athletics is currently fundraising for the Football Training Facility and plans to make facility announcements later this spring. Texas Tech's final project in its master plan will be renovations to Jones AT&T Stadium's south end zone.

"The Football Training Facility is the last major piece for us and we can't do it soon enough," Wells said. "The new Football Training Facility will give us a critical competitive advantage with a wow factor that every recruit is looking for. We need a training facility that's second to none and puts an exclamation point on our vision in terms of player development."

The Whitacre Center is named in honor of Texas Tech alumnus Ed Whitacre, the former chairman and CEO of both AT&T and General Motors. Whitacre provided the lead gift for the project.

"A first-class university needs to have first-class accommodations," Whitacre said. "The goal is to give Texas Tech the facilities that everyone is proud of. We want to be the best."

For more details regarding the Whitacre Center for Athletic Administration or to support The Campaign for Fearless Champions, please visit www.Give2Tech.com/athletics.

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