GMB Architecture + Engineering completed the Chippewa Champions Center at Central Michigan University with a multi-functional design in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Central Michigan University (CMU) was looking for a versatile state-of-the-art facility that supports a wide variety of activities. Sitting at over 50,000 square feet, the Chippewa Champions Center includes a 7,000-square-foot state-of-the-art weight room, nutrition fuel stations, and an expanded sports medicine and rehabilitation facility.

The multi-purpose, flexible meeting and academic space proves CMU’s investment in the training and development of all CMU student-athletes and fills a campus need for meeting and event space. The facility also allows CMU’s football program to remain a leader in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Featuring a 4,200-square-foot football locker room, new equipment room, laundry, video operations, and support operations, the space will support recruitment for the program and transform the game day experience at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Designed in partnership with events facilities architect Populous, the year-round facility will serve all CMU students. Featuring new hospitality and premium spaces, the Chippewa Champions Center allows for revenue generation through hosting outside client, community, and donor engagement events. On game days, the 4,000-square-foot Isabella Bank VIP Club offers both climate-controlled and outdoor patio spaces and the chance to be the last to cheer on the Chippewas as they take the field through the center of the club. Located directly behind the north end zone, it is one of the most unique fan experiences in the MAC and is located just steps from the Chippewas’ locker room, bringing fans up close and personal to the action on the field.

One of the first MAC schools to offer loge seating as premium seating options for fans, the 16 new loge boxes on the second level offer a premium seating experience. These loge boxes offer a best-of-both-worlds blend of a traditional club seat and private suite experience with two TVs in each box, so fans won’t miss a second of the action.

Central Michigan University is a nationally ranked institution that fosters the transformative power of real-world learning while embracing a sense of community among its students, faculty, staff and more than nearly 240,000 alumni around the world. Established in 1892, CMU is a major university with a strong sense of community, enrolling more than 17,300 students on its Mount Pleasant campus, online and at satellite locations across North America.

Architect of Record: GMB Architecture + Engineering
Design Partner: Populous
Construction Manager: Granger Construction
Photography: Jason Keen