USD Marks Significant Milestone in New Wellness Center Project with ‘Topping Off’ Ceremony

Perched high atop the steel frame of the newest structure on campus, two construction workers carefully locked a historic beam into place before walking across the metal to shake hands. Hundreds of feet below, the crowd let out a loud cheer as the workers faced them and waved down triumphantly. 

The University of San Diego (USD) held a topping off ceremony for its new Wellness Center and Basketball Practice Facility near Valley Resident Hall B on Jan. 29. During the event, dozens of Toreros, including USD President James T. Harris, DEd; Vice President of Student Affairs Charlotte Johnson, JD; Vice President of University Operations Ky Snyder; Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management André Hutchinson; and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Steve Lavin signed their names on the ceremonial white beam adorning the USD logo. 

“This is an exciting day for the University of San Diego, marking a significant step in a project important to our campus,” said Harris, standing on a podium with the construction site at his back. “At USD, we educate our students with a focus on mind, body and spirit. While our Student Wellness Center and Basketball Practice Facility will be another beautiful addition to our already stunning campus, it’s what will take place inside this building — the combination of resources, the dedicated spaces with student wellness in mind — that makes this project especially exciting and unique.” 

Harris thanked all project members, including lead stakeholder Chris Burden, Assistant Athletic Director Jake Kuennen, the design team (Tucker Sadler Architects), the building team (Rudolph & Sletten Builders), USD Facilities and the USD community. He then invited all present to sign the structural beam. 

“Your signature will forever commemorate your ties to the [center] and your dedication to USD,” said Harris. “You will be at the heart of our commitment to support our students — mind, body and spirit.” 

The new wellness center will redefine the student experience at USD. 

In addition to setting a new standard for inclusive wellness resources and NCAA practice facilities for scholar-athletes, the three-story, 80,000 square-foot facility will provide accessible indoor and outdoor spaces where the entire campus community can find connections between physical activity, diet and nutrition, mental health, inner self, engagement and belonging.

“This project will truly transform the way we approach wellness at USD,” said Johnson. “It allows different avenues and paths to student wellness and brings students together across different programs, majors and walks of life.”

In March 2023, USD held a “Farewell to the Field” event on Valley Field. The carnival-like event serves as a fitting send-off to the popular area on campus that featured the Valley Stairs. Days later, demolition and construction began on the foundation of the new wellness center. 

— Story and photos by Matthew Piechalak