MORAGA, Calif. – One of the top mid-major programs in NCAA Division I Athletics is getting even better.
 
Following the successful completion of Phase I of the Student Athlete Performance Complex last year, the Saint Mary's College Board of Trustees earlier this week approved the Athletic Department to move forward with Phase II of the complex.
 
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso announced the upcoming improvements and enhancements for all student-athletes at the annual Tip Off Dinner for Saint Mary's Men's Basketball on Friday night.
 
Phase II of the Student Athlete Performance Complex will enhance the overall student-athlete experience, which includes a 4,200 square foot weight room, with an additional outdoor training area.
 
Inside McKeon Pavilion, new state-of-the-art locker room spaces for women's volleyball and men's and women's basketball will be added and renovated.
 
The continued fan-enhancement of the pavilion will include a second story off the rear side, which will include an elevator, restroom stalls and additional concession stands. Inside, lobby restrooms will be renovated and a new ticket office built.
 
"We are grateful to all of our generous donors who continue to step up and contribute during this exciting time at Saint Mary's College," Matoso said. "Following Phase I, we saw the support grow for all of our athletic teams. These upgrades will continue to keep our student-athletes performing at the highest level. We also knew it was important to continue to upgrade the fan experience."
 
Construction for the weight room is currently underway. McKeon Pavilion upgrades will begin following the men's and women's basketball season and are scheduled to avoid interruption to any Division I athletic programs in the fall of 2020.
 
Phase I of the Student Athlete Performance Complex concluded in the fall of 2018 with initial renovations of the 40-year-old McKeon Pavilion. The project including a number of state-of-the-art enhancements for in-game fan experience and updating life safety upgrades. A 48-foot wide video board, replacement of the audio system, a new lighting system and floor were also included in Phase I of the project.
 
 
One of the smallest NCAA Division I institutions, Saint Mary's is nonetheless home to a pair of nationally-ranked teams. Men's soccer is No. 13. Men's basketball, the winningest team in the state for more than a decade, is No. 20 in the country in both the Associated Press (media) and USA Today (coaches) polls heading into the 2019-20 season.
 
College President James Donahue, after the school received its best-ever US News & World Report ranking last month (No. 5, West), noted, "At Saint Mary's, we're ranked every year. On the scoreboard, in the classroom and in life."