Photo by: Kevan Albright
11/10/2026 8:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball
Abilene Christian University's men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams now have their own dedicated strength and conditioning fitness space with the Wessel-Powell Fitness Center completed in the Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
In late May, crews began transforming three racquetball courts, totaling about 2,400 square feet, into the new Wessel-Powell Fitness Center which is being utilized primarily by the Wildcat basketball and volleyball teams.
"This is a really important project," ACU vice president for athletics Zack Lassiter said on an episode of the ACU Sports Podcast. "Strength and conditioning is such a big part of athletics now. Our student-athletes spend a lot of time in that space. This will be another piece to the puzzle for basketball and volleyball. I can't thank our community enough for continually being willing to step up to the vision we have for elevating our programs in every way, shape or form."
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The Wessel-Powell Fitness Center is designed specifically for court sports with spaces for plyometric and speed work on a hardcourt surface. The facility is named for the Wessel and Powell families who have each been incredibly generous to multiple projects across campus.
Previously, all 15 ACU athletic programs shared the Powell Fitness Center, next to Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium, which opened in 1993 and underwent renovations in 2007 and 2019. It is named for former trustee and football letterman Lee Powell and his wife, Dorris.
The opening of a second strength and conditioning space not only provides a dedicated facility for basketball and volleyball, but more importantly alleviates scheduling limitations on all Wildcat teams and coaches for workout times.
"Other than maybe the residence halls, I am not sure there is a building that gets more use on campus [than the Powell Fitness Center]," said Lassiter. "You have teams working out from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. at least, and they're working out at times that are less than ideal. This project is going to help all our teams."
The Wessel-Powell Fitness Center opened to student-athletes in early November.
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In late May, crews began transforming three racquetball courts, totaling about 2,400 square feet, into the new Wessel-Powell Fitness Center which is being utilized primarily by the Wildcat basketball and volleyball teams.
"This is a really important project," ACU vice president for athletics Zack Lassiter said on an episode of the ACU Sports Podcast. "Strength and conditioning is such a big part of athletics now. Our student-athletes spend a lot of time in that space. This will be another piece to the puzzle for basketball and volleyball. I can't thank our community enough for continually being willing to step up to the vision we have for elevating our programs in every way, shape or form."
Â
The Wessel-Powell Fitness Center is designed specifically for court sports with spaces for plyometric and speed work on a hardcourt surface. The facility is named for the Wessel and Powell families who have each been incredibly generous to multiple projects across campus.
Previously, all 15 ACU athletic programs shared the Powell Fitness Center, next to Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium, which opened in 1993 and underwent renovations in 2007 and 2019. It is named for former trustee and football letterman Lee Powell and his wife, Dorris.
The opening of a second strength and conditioning space not only provides a dedicated facility for basketball and volleyball, but more importantly alleviates scheduling limitations on all Wildcat teams and coaches for workout times.
"Other than maybe the residence halls, I am not sure there is a building that gets more use on campus [than the Powell Fitness Center]," said Lassiter. "You have teams working out from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. at least, and they're working out at times that are less than ideal. This project is going to help all our teams."
The Wessel-Powell Fitness Center opened to student-athletes in early November.
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Monday, November 09
Monday, November 09
Monday, November 09
Monday, November 09
