UNCW is expanding its health and wellness amenities, giving the Seahawks more opportunities to strengthen their wings and fly. The new Shoreline Sports Complex will provide enhanced space for public use, intramural sports, athletic clubs, and beach volleyball teams. The facility opened on November 17th.
The complex includes:
- 4 illuminated sand volleyball courts
- 4 lighted basketball courts
- 4 lighted tennis courts (2 are lined for pickle play)
- Large grass field with lighting for competitive sports
- A small, lighted lawn area where you can play freely
- outdoor fitness area
- Pavilion building (seating, equipment checkout, restrooms)
- Multiple fountain/bottle filling stations.
“Our Seahawks deserve a great space like this new complex to bring academic balance,” said President Aswani K. Boleti. “This space will serve as a multipurpose venue for students to reenact, host intramural events, and serve as a new practice and game venue for nationally renowned athletic club teams. “This is a great example of how UNCW continues to enhance its indoor and outdoor facilities as we continue to move forward.”
The sports complex was built with flexibility in mind. For example, a sand volleyball court can be used for a variety of intramural sports, and tennis court lines allow users to choose pickle or tennis. The flex field can be used for free play, yoga, and special events while the main field is in use. Green spaces surrounding the facility provide opportunities for the campus community to come together and enjoy the outdoors.
“As a student and club athlete, being able to participate in the sport I love in such a great complex on campus has a huge impact on my ability to succeed in and out of the classroom,” Andres Passos ’24 said. , Chairman of the Sports Club Council and President of the Tennis Club. “Shoreline Sports Complex will have a positive impact on our athletic club programs and the hundreds of students who will utilize this great space.”
The complex is one of the latest efforts to improve and enhance spaces dedicated to health and wellness. The Pat Leonard Student Recreation Center’s free weight area recently underwent improvements, including new equipment, a multifunctional turf bay, and a power rack.
“Along with the already excellent Pat Leonard Student Recreation Center and competitive sports fields at the front of campus, this addition to UNCW’s campus recreation model will broadly address the growing recreational and welfare needs of our campus. It allows us to continue,” said Mike Walker, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
The complex also serves as the home match venue for the women’s beach volleyball team.
“We are excited about this opportunity to bring our beach volleyball program to campus,” said UNCW Director of Athletics Michael Oblinger. “Shoreline Sports Complex is one of the best facilities in the area and we look forward to competing there. Being centrally located on campus, the UNCW community will have quicker access to the You can support the Seahawks.”