TicketsCINCINNATI – A bold new era for Cincinnati Athletics officially began on Wednesday.
The University of Cincinnati cut the ribbon on the Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Athletics Performance Center, culminating a two-year construction process for the $134-million, 210,000-square-foot complex that will redefine the student-athlete experience at UC.
The transformative project, made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, marks a major milestone in the Bearcats' continued rise in the Big 12 and on the national stage.
"This facility represents the future of Cincinnati Athletics," said Director of Athletics John Cunningham. "It is more than concrete and steel, it's a testament to vision, investment and persistence. Since joining the Big 12 two years ago, we've been building. With the opening of this incredible facility, the foundation is set and the future for all our athletics programs and our student-athletes is on the rise. Thanks to the Sheakleys and many other supporters, we are prepared to compete for championships on and off the field."
Larry and Rhonda Sheakley accompanied the football team on Wednesday for a first-look walk-through of the facility prior to the ceremony. The Sheakleys were joined by University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto, Cincinnati Director of Athletics John Cunningham, head football coach Scott Satterfield and fifth-year defensive tackle and team captain Dontay Corleone for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
The University's Board of Trustees approved of the project in May 2022 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in April 2023.
"The inspirational giving and leadership of two special people, Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, has made our vision for our student-athletes a reality," Pinto said. "We are eternally grateful to the Sheakleys for their wisdom, advocacy, time, and unwavering support. They are joined by the many donors who have made the Sheakley Athletics Performance Center and the Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility possible."
The 84,000 square-foot Indoor Practice Facility features a 120-yard football field equipped for multiple sports. The field provides an all-weather home for Cincinnati football practices and year-round workouts. It is connected to the Performance Center's weight room, cutting edge sports medicine and athletic training wing and performance nutrition fueling stations.
The 96,000 square-foot Athletics Performance Center features three levels, providing nearly everything a student-athlete needs in one place as well as offices for the football program. The facility also features meeting rooms, an equipment room, locker room, player's lounge, dining hall and a social media content studio – among many other features. The athletics-only dining hall is open to all student-athletes, giving every team at Cincinnati a state-of-the-art place to refuel.
"The Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Performance Center is a game-changer," Satterfield said. "Every inch of this space is designed to help our players grow, recover and prepare. It's one of the finest facilities in the country. It shows our commitment to being elite in everything we do. I'm thankful to Larry and Rhonda Sheakley and all of our supporters for investing in our student-athletes to make this vision a reality."
Many dedicated Bearcats and Greater Cincinnati leaders invested in the Sheakley Athletics Performance Center and Indoor Practice Facility. Support includes:
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax and all-time NFL greats Travis and Jason Kelce are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Four School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success as well, collectively posting a school-record 3.52 GPA in the spring of 2025.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
The University of Cincinnati cut the ribbon on the Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Athletics Performance Center, culminating a two-year construction process for the $134-million, 210,000-square-foot complex that will redefine the student-athlete experience at UC.
The transformative project, made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, marks a major milestone in the Bearcats' continued rise in the Big 12 and on the national stage.
"This facility represents the future of Cincinnati Athletics," said Director of Athletics John Cunningham. "It is more than concrete and steel, it's a testament to vision, investment and persistence. Since joining the Big 12 two years ago, we've been building. With the opening of this incredible facility, the foundation is set and the future for all our athletics programs and our student-athletes is on the rise. Thanks to the Sheakleys and many other supporters, we are prepared to compete for championships on and off the field."
Larry and Rhonda Sheakley accompanied the football team on Wednesday for a first-look walk-through of the facility prior to the ceremony. The Sheakleys were joined by University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto, Cincinnati Director of Athletics John Cunningham, head football coach Scott Satterfield and fifth-year defensive tackle and team captain Dontay Corleone for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
The University's Board of Trustees approved of the project in May 2022 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in April 2023.
"The inspirational giving and leadership of two special people, Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, has made our vision for our student-athletes a reality," Pinto said. "We are eternally grateful to the Sheakleys for their wisdom, advocacy, time, and unwavering support. They are joined by the many donors who have made the Sheakley Athletics Performance Center and the Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility possible."
The 84,000 square-foot Indoor Practice Facility features a 120-yard football field equipped for multiple sports. The field provides an all-weather home for Cincinnati football practices and year-round workouts. It is connected to the Performance Center's weight room, cutting edge sports medicine and athletic training wing and performance nutrition fueling stations.
The 96,000 square-foot Athletics Performance Center features three levels, providing nearly everything a student-athlete needs in one place as well as offices for the football program. The facility also features meeting rooms, an equipment room, locker room, player's lounge, dining hall and a social media content studio – among many other features. The athletics-only dining hall is open to all student-athletes, giving every team at Cincinnati a state-of-the-art place to refuel.
"The Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Performance Center is a game-changer," Satterfield said. "Every inch of this space is designed to help our players grow, recover and prepare. It's one of the finest facilities in the country. It shows our commitment to being elite in everything we do. I'm thankful to Larry and Rhonda Sheakley and all of our supporters for investing in our student-athletes to make this vision a reality."
Many dedicated Bearcats and Greater Cincinnati leaders invested in the Sheakley Athletics Performance Center and Indoor Practice Facility. Support includes:
- Larry & Rhonda Sheakley
- Dick & Cornie Thornburgh
- Kirk & Jacki Perry
- Ken & Mandy Oaks
- Mike & Susie Leonard
- Carrie & Rob Gould
- Mike Dever and the Dever Family Foundation
- Kerry & Missy Byrne
- John & Cathy Burns
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax and all-time NFL greats Travis and Jason Kelce are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Four School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success as well, collectively posting a school-record 3.52 GPA in the spring of 2025.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.