TWU breaks ground on Chaney Athletics Complex

Oct. 23, 2026 ― DENTON ― Texas Woman’s University broke ground Friday on a $30 million athletics complex to support student-athletes and boost the university’s sports profile.

The facility, to be constructed on land immediately adjacent to Pioneer Soccer Park, is expected to cover approximately 35,000 square feet and include a practice gym, locker rooms, weight room, sports medicine clinic, batting cages, coaches’ offices and meeting spaces.

Construction is planned to begin as early as spring 2027, with the project completion expected by the end of 2028.

Noting the importance of athletics to a university, Chancellor Carine Feyten said: “Athletics is the front porch of a university. A game can bring someone to our campus for the first time.”

But, she added, state taxpayer dollars can’t be used to fund athletics programs or athletics scholarships. Moreover, Texas Woman’s does not have a dedicated, student-supported athletics fee.

“That makes philanthropy especially important here. The growth you see in TWU Athletics depends on people willing to invest in it,” Feyten said.

The athletics complex will alleviate space needs that have been escalating during a period of robust growth for Pioneer Athletics. Over the past six years, Texas Woman's has expanded from five varsity sports to nine and more than doubled its student-athlete population.

Feyten pointed out TWU’s athletic programs have racked up an impressive set of accolades over the years. In the last six years alone, TWU sports programs have accounted for five conference championships, three regional championships and five national championships. Additionally, TWU Athletics has received three consecutive conference Academic Excellence Awards and the 2025 NCAA DII President’s Award for Academic Excellence.

“We are not building this complex simply to solve today’s space problems, we are building it because we believe in where TWU Athletics is going,” said Sandee Mott, executive director of athletics.

Mott said the facility will help attract outstanding student athletes, boost support to current student athletes and provide better resources to coaches to help them build successful programs.

Funding for the complex was kickstarted earlier this year by a $10 million gift from TWU Distinguished Alumna Dawn S. Chaney, a former three-sport student-athlete who earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in kinesiology. The complex will bear Chaney’s name.

“When we give back, we help the millions and millions who will come after us,” said Chaney, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

To date, philanthropy toward the project has reached $20.5 million, more than two-thirds of the funding goal.

Additional funding has been pledged by TWU alumna Mary L.A. Stanton, TWU Foundation member Barbara Nunneley and TWU System Regent Stacie McDavid.

Page last updated 12:10 PM, October 26, 2026