By Jacob Lesley
OMAHA, Neb. — Phase three of Omaha Athletics’ campus master plan is officially underway, bringing a major upgrade to Maverick sports programs.
Three months ago, the University of Nebraska system’s Board of Regents approved Omaha’s proposal for a new athletic training facility. The announcement comes on the heels of the men’s basketball program’s first-ever March Madness appearance — a historic run that has energized both the team and the university community.
Banners were unveiled at Baxter Arena this past season, highlighting Omaha men’s basketball’s first Summit League regular season title, conference tournament title and NCAA tournament appearance. The ceremony was held before the first home game of the 2025-’26 season.
For players like freshman guard Brock Scholl, an Omaha native, the facility represents more than just a building.
“I just saw the Insta post on it, and everyone started talking about it, and I looked it up, and I was like, ‘Wow, those facilities are definitely going to be really nice, really good to recruit next people coming in the next few years,’” Scholl said.
The new training facility will be constructed on Lot 24, adjacent to Baxter Arena’s media and staff entrance, security offices and loading dock. University officials say accessibility was a priority in the design. A skywalk will connect the facility directly to Baxter Arena, allowing coaches and players quick access between practice and competition spaces.
Omaha’s Tony Osburn surpasses 1,000 career points on January 8, 2026, against North Dakota. Osburn, a four year player for the Mavericks, played a vital role in the team’s first March Madness appearance in 2025.
Omaha Athletic Director Adrian Dowell believes the project will elevate the university’s standing in Division I athletics.
“For us at Omaha, that’s going to be quite the advantage we have over our peers, not just at the mid-major level,” Dowell said. “There are a small amount of Power 5 schools that are going to have the facility profile we have once we complete these two new projects.”
The second project Dowell referenced is a new clubhouse at Maverick Park. However, university leaders say the training facility will have the broader impact, housing three athletic programs and much of the athletic department under one roof.
According to the university, construction is set to begin this year, with the facility expected to be operational by late 2028. The privately funded project is estimated to cost more than $50 million.
As Omaha builds on its recent postseason success, university leaders hope the new facility will help position Maverick athletics for sustained growth on and off the court.
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