Facilities

An Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis and handball courts, newly resurfaced jogging track, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, crew training facility and a modern fitness facility, the McNiff Fitness Center, are used by students, faculty and staff. In addition, there is a weight room in the sports center for use by student athletes.

Athletic facilities at the University are among the best in the nation for a school of its size. The Bob Martinez Sports Center, a 3,432-seat area plays host to varsity volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, intramural and recreational activities and other events throughout the year. Pepin Stadium is considered the finest soccer venue in NCAA II and has been the site of two national championship finals in the 1990s, including a Div. II national championship record crowd of 4,336 in 1994. Pepin Stadium was also the site of the 2001 men's soccer national championship. The new, lighted University of Tampa Baseball Field is home to the four-time national champion Spartan baseball team while the softball team plays on its own-lighted field, built in 1990.

Bob Martinez Sports Center
The Bob Martinez Sports Center, named for the UT alumnus who served as Mayor of Tampa, Governor of Florida and President Bush’s cabinet level Drug Czar, was opened in July 1984. The main gymnasium houses three full size courts with permanent seating for 3,432 to view the main court. It also includes training room, weight room, six locker rooms, classrooms and offices for the athletic and physical education departments.

Directions to the Martinez Sports Center: From Interstate 275, exit at Ashley Street/Downtown West. You are now on Ashley St. Turn right at the first traffic light, Tyler. Tyler merges into Cass as you cross the Cass Street Bridge. Turn left at the next light North Boulevard and find the Martinez Center on the right. From Kennedy Boulevard (Route 60), turn north onto North Boulevard, travel three blocks and the Sports Center is on the left.

Pepin Stadium
Through the generosity of one of Tampa’s most prominent families, The University of Tampa soccer teams have the privilege of playing in one of the finest college facilities in the country, Pepin Stadium.

Named for Tampa businessmen Arthur D. Pepin of Pepin Distributors and his wife Polly, Pepin Stadium was rebuilt and dedicated in 2002. The new facility replaced 80-year-old Pepin/Rood Stadium, site of four NCAA National Championships and numerous other high profile events. An NCAA II attendance record was set during the 1994 championship with a Finals crowd of 4,336.

Pepin Stadium is a 1,500-seat partially covered grandstand with enclosed press box, meeting, storage and rest rooms and a ticket office. The grass field is lighted and bordered by a jogging track. The stadium has hosted five NCAA National Championships, including the 2001 men's title that was won by UT. The venue also hosted the 2008 and 2009 men's and women's championships.

Directions to Pepin Stadium: From I 275, exit at Ashley Street/Downtown West. You are now on Ashley St. Turn right at the first traffic light on to Tyler. Tyler merges into Cass as you pass the Performing Arts Center and cross the Cass Street Bridge. Turn left at the next intersection on North Boulevard. Pepin Stadium is down the block on your left. From Kennedy Boulevard (Route 60), turn north onto North Boulevard, travel three blocks and Pepin Stadium is on the right.

University of Tampa Baseball Field
The baseball field is dedicated to a man who devoted himself to The University of Tampa. Sam Bailey came to The University of Tampa in 1950 following a brilliant athletic career at the University of Georgia. Bailey lettered in football, basketball, track and baseball when he was a Bulldog. He graduated with a degree in education and played professional football with the Boston Yanks for four years. He also played semi-professional baseball and basketball.

Bailey joined the UT staff in 1950-51 as head basketball coach and assistant football coach. In 1951-52, his cage club won the state championship.

Bailey rejuvenated a baseball program in 1951 after funding was nearly depleted. He coached the team for 13 years (1951-1964) and collected over 150 wins. He built the university’s first campus field in 1965-66 near Interstate 4.

In 1962, Bailey was elevated to Athletic Director and added the responsibilities of head football coach in 1964. The Spartans put together a 16-20-1 record while Bailey was at the helm. The 1965 team was voted the Team-of-the-Year by the Tampa Sports Club. In the mid-60’s Bailey was appointed by the mayor of Tampa to the original Tampa Stadium committee. He coached six All-Americans at UT.

He is a member of the UT Hall of Fame in addition to being a charter member of both the Tampa Quarterback Club and the Sword and Shield organization. Today, Sam Bailey owns a shopping center and supermarket with his brother on Sanibel Island. He maintains his permanent residence in Tampa.

Directions to University of Tampa Baseball Field: The field is on the corner of Cass Street and North Boulevard. This can be reached by taking Interstate 275 and taking exit 25 ( Ashley Street). Make a right at the first light ( Tyler Street); there will be an overpass for the Performing Arts Center and a bridge going over the Hillsborough River. The first light after the bridge is North Boulevard and the baseball field is on the left.

University of Tampa Softball Field
The University of Tampa softball complex is located directly behind the Bob Martinez Sports Center. The field was built in 1989 and has seating room for approximately 200 spectators. The field features a new press box that was recently completed. Other amenities include lights and covered dugouts. The dimensions of the field are 243 all the way around.

Directions to the University of Tampa Softball Field: From Interstate 275, exit at Ashley Street/Downtown West. You are now on Ashley St. Turn right at the first traffic light, Tyler. Tyler merges into Cass as you cross the Cass Street Bridge. Turn left at the next light north boulevard and find the Martinez Center on the right. From Kennedy Boulevard (Route 60), turn north onto North Boulevard, travel three blocks and the Sports Center is on the left. The softball complex is located directly behind the sports center.