The shiny new doors of American University’s Meltzer Center, the premier athletic facility on campus, have officially opened.
Located between Reeves Field and Bender Arena, the center opened on Jan. 16 as part of the $500 million investment to the AU Change Can’t Wait campaign. The Meltzer Center is making University history as a new athletic facility, student social hub and sustainability project on campus.
The opening of the Meltzer Center welcomed all students and staff. Around 15 students arrived when the doors first opened at 5 p.m., and more filled in as the night continued.
Theo Krebs, an undecided freshman, attended the event with friends.
“Honestly, I’ve seen it under construction here on campus but didn't really know what it was or what it was for,” he said. “But, as I'm here for the first time it looks really nice so we will see if it is worth it.”
Other students and faculty explored the lobby area, trying out the massage chairs, the seating area and discussing the amenities with The Center of Well-Being employees throughout the lobby.
Construction first began on March 1, 2024 on Reeves Field under former American University president, Sylvia Burwell, according to the University’s website. The $10 million gift from the Meltzer family was announced in 2022 and is the second-largest naming gift to a capital project in American University history. The initial gift was $15 million cumulatively.
The campaign’s goal is to create, “transformative educational opportunities, advance research with impact and build stronger communities.”
The new facility also contributes to AU’s sustainability goals. The center is the first net-zero building on campus and is fully powered by renewable energy, including geothermal and solar. The building’s roof has nearly 19,000 square feet of green roof space and bioretention basins to capture rainwater and minimize site runoff, as stated in the building information provided by American University.
While the building has been in use since its completion in December 2025, it was previously open only to athletes and athletic staff for practices and use of the new locker rooms, offices and weight room. Enthusiastic about the new facility, volleyball freshman Sophie Dufour said it has been a major upgrade and was excited to explore the new lobby.
Men's basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling and women’s volleyball all have new locker rooms and bathrooms, with an entrance on the suite level connected to Bender Arena.
“It has lights and big lockers with more storage space,” Dufour said.
In the previous locker rooms, volleyball, field hockey, lacrosse, women's soccer and women’s track and field all shared the same bathrooms.
“We now have our own bathrooms, which are great,” Dufour said. “And there is also a new film room.”
Operated by the Center for Well-Being, the Well-Being Corner features massage chairs, sleep pods, a yoga studio, gaming spaces, seating areas and a stage.
The night ended with the AU wrestling team hosting their first match at the new center against Long Island University, where they emerged victorious 38-7.
This article was edited by Natalie Hausmann, Payton Anderson and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman, Ava Stuzin and Ryan Sieve.
