SAN ANTONIO – UTSA’s historic Convocation Center turns 50 this year!
Built in 1975, the Convocation Center is the home facility for the UTSA men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams. One of the first buildings to be constructed on UTSA’s main campus, the facility is affectionately known as The Convo.
The opening of the Convocation Center preceded the start of Roadrunners Athletics. Rudy Davalos, then an assistant coach and director of player personnel for the San Antonio Spurs, joined UTSA as its first athletics director on Sept. 1, 1976. He has been selected for induction into the UTSA Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams debuted in 1981, while the volleyball team first took the court in 1983. The facility has served as a home for those three sport programs, in addition to the UTSA cheer and Spirit of San Antonio band programs. The fall of 2026 will mark a new era in UTSA Athletics with the opening of the cutting-edge Basketball and Volleyball Training Facility to complement the Convocation Center in providing first-class support to student-athletes.
As part of the recognition of the Convocation Center’s 50th year, the basketball and volleyball programs will host alumni events in the 2025 calendar year to welcome back their decorated alumni. UTSA Athletics will also be generating content on its digital and social media platforms this fall featuring conversations with alumni from those three sports and a look back at some of the most exciting sports moments in Convocation Center history.
“We are excited to celebrate 50 years of the Convocation Center this fall,” said Lisa Campos, UTSA Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “This milestone arrives at a meaningful time, as we honor Rudy Davalos’ enduring legacy and prepare to open our state-of-the-art Basketball and Volleyball Training Facility next year. It’s a powerful opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and look forward the promising future for UTSA Athletics.”
Over the years, The Convo has hosted numerous premier events, including the 1993 United States Olympic Festival Volleyball Tournament, the 2002 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association High School All-Star Game, the 2004 Nike Hoops Summit, and NCAA Women’s Basketball First and Second Round games in 2021. Most recently, it was the site of UTSA’s first-ever postseason women’s basketball victory in the 2024 Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament. The venue has also welcomed multiple conference basketball and volleyball championships.
As UTSA celebrates this historic milestone, the Convocation Center remains a symbol of tradition, achievement, and the relentless Roadrunner spirit.