SCAD Unveils New Athletic Facility
State-of-the-art lacrosse, soccer, and flag football complex ushers in new era of success at SCAD
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA (Oct. 9, 2026) — The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is proud to announce the opening of its transformative new athletic complex, one dedicated to the university's accomplished artist-athletes. Since its founding in 1978, SCAD has prepared changemakers and visionaries who have risen to the highest level of success in the classroom and on the playing field.
"At SCAD, we are incredibly proud of our student-athletes and their dedication on and off the field," said Michael Shreve, vice president for student success. "This new athletic complex will showcase SCAD's ability to host conference and national tournaments, demonstrating the level of talent and commitment within our athletic community and beyond. We are thrilled to introduce this new building to the community for what we know will be a pivotal time in our championship legacy."
The new, 16,000-square-foot athletic building provides elite locker rooms and athletic training spaces to the university's existing sports fields north of Savannah. The expanded facilities will showcase the prowess of SCAD athletic teams and enhance the well-established competitive drive of university players and coaches. Offering top-of-the-line on-site amenities to athletic teams and visitors will create a long-term sense of community. The space is also equipped with a referee room, additional parking, and meeting rooms that will support the growth of SCAD athletics.
"The lacrosse and soccer programs at SCAD are among the most decorated at the university, earning consistent top 20 rankings as well as conference and national championships," said Amanda Haverstick, executive director of SCAD athletics. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity for our athletes to continue to compete at the highest level. The new athletic complex underscores SCAD's continued dedication to our student athletes for many years to come. I would like to express our appreciation to all SCAD athletes, past and present, who have made essential contributions to our programs. What a great time to be a SCAD Bee!"
The teams calling the new SCAD athletic complex home are among the university's most competitive. During 2023 and 2024 seasons, the SCAD's women's soccer team won the program's first-ever Sun Conference regular season and tournament championships, capping the latter season with their first NAIA National Championship win. The SCAD men's team continues to maintain standout success, most recently finishing second in the Sun Conference and reaching the tournament title game. The women's lacrosse team is one of the most successful teams in the NAIA, with consistent top-five rankings and six national championship titles. In addition, the men's lacrosse team finished last season as one of the top three teams in the country, their most successful season to date. In the 2026-2027 season, SCAD's women's flag football team will take the field for the first time, expanding the university's legacy of athletic excellence to one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation.
For more information on the new athletic complex or the SCAD athletics department, visit scadathletics.com.
SCAD: THE UNIVERSITY FOR CREATIVE CAREERS
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 100 countries. The future-minded SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and myriad advanced learning resources, affording students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university's renowned research lab and prototype generator. SCAD has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. A 2026 study found that 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more.
ABOUT SCAD ATHLETICS
The SCAD Bees are the athletic teams of the Savannah College of Art and Design, competing across university locations in Savannah and Atlanta. Members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and The Sun Conference, SCAD athletic teams have celebrated dozens of conference, individual, and national championships in sports, as well as hundreds of academic and athletic All-Conference and All-American selections.
SCAD Atlanta hosts the university's cross country and track and field, men's golf, women's tennis, fencing, taekwondo, and esports (League of Legends and Overwatch) teams. SCAD Savannah is home to the university's bowling, cycling, equestrian, flag football, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, men's tennis, and women's golf teams. A new beach volleyball team will launch in Savannah during the 2027–28 academic year. The university's decorated equestrian team — championship-winning members of the American National Riding Commission (ANRC), Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA), and Tournament of Champions (TOC) — and its flag football, lacrosse, and soccer teams compete at the state-of-the-art SCAD Athletics Complex and Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center, located just north of Savannah.
The SCAD athletics program and its operating principles are consistent with the college's high standards of academic scholarship, leadership, integrity, and sportsmanship. Varsity athletics programs continually strive to develop character, maturity and fair play — as well as excellence in competition and the classroom — in all artist-athletes. SCAD Savannah launched its athletics program in 1987 as a member of the NAIA. In 1992, the university transitioned to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), competing as Division III member until 2003. The university returned to the NAIA and Sun Conference in 2004. SCAD Atlanta launched its athletic program in 2010 with cross country, golf, and tennis teams, competing in the NAIA's Appalachian Athletic Conference until the athletic departments from both university locations were merged before the 2026–27 academic year. For more information, visit scadathletics.com.
Media Contact
Rebecca Paul-Martin, Associate Director of Public Relations
[email protected]