EMMITSBURG, Md. (September 3, 2026) – Mount St. Mary's Athletics gathered as a community to break ground on the Rooney Athletic Performance Center, an expansion to the Knott Arena, Recreation, and Convocation Complex (ARCC) at the PNC Sports Complex, on Wednesday, September 2.
The building is supported by generous donations from the Mount's supporter base, with the largest donation coming from Patrick and John Rooney, members of the Class of 1960. Members of the Rooney Family were in attendance, including Patrick's wife Sandra, their son Thomas and his wife Tara, and John's daughter Alice C'86 and her son Sean C'09.
"I hope it's not just a building; it's a destination." Mount St. Mary's President Gerard J. Joyce, Ph.D. said. "Students will come here to grow spiritually, physically, academically as student-athletes, but it will also make them better competitors and better leaders. So, it's more than just a space or a building – that something transformational happens here."
When construction is completed, 28,000 square feet of space will be available for the athletic department's use. The new space holds enlarged and renovated areas for sports medicine, strength & conditioning, and nutrition. There will also be a hospitality use that can be used for the university and athletics. Space inside the ARCC that currently holds those departments will be transformed into dedicated locker room space for the baseball and softball programs.
"The Rooney Athletic Performance Center is a game-changer for the Mount in several ways." Director of Athletics
Brad Davis said. "This new facility will enhance individual and team performance with a Division I caliber weight room, the James Francis Bermingham Jr. Center, that provides the space and state-of-the-art equipment our teams and staff deserve. A new sports medicine space will ensure our student-athletes are diagnosed, treated, and rehabilitated efficiently and effectively. The new fuel bar will recharge our athletes after high-level training, allowing them to recover properly, to be at their best for their next competition. And the hospitality suite will give our coaches and teams places to host alumni, friends, and recruits. The suite will be a place for connecting and celebrating Mount Athletics from decades ago to today."
The Bermingham Center was made possible by a donation from Susan Bermingham in memory of her son.
Mount St. Mary's is enjoying a growing student-athlete population, welcoming back 725 student-athletes to campus for the fall of 2026. In the past 10 years, the department has welcomed men's swimming & diving, women's bowling, men's and women's water polo, dance, and flag football as varsity programs.
In addition to the Rooney Athletic Performance Center, the gift provided six new tennis courts that were opened in 2023. The brothers – sons of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney – were athletes during their time at the Mount, competing in track and tennis.
Construction on the project will begin later this month with the Rooney Athletic Performance Center ready for the Fall 2027 semester. Renovated baseball and softball locker rooms will be ready for their Spring 2028 seasons.
