BEAUMONT, Texas – While players haven't officially kicked off preseason camp, all attention was on the Lamar University football program Tuesday afternoon as the Cardinals unveiled their new locker room.
 
"Today is an exciting day for Lamar University and Lamar football," said University President Dr. Jaime Taylor. "This facility represents much more than a renovation. It represents our ongoing commitment to providing our student-athletes with the resources they need to compete, succeed and represent Lamar University at the very highest level. The facility is a state-of-the-art locker room designated for today's student-athlete with fully ventilated lockers, enhanced technology, a nutrition station, a lounge area and wall of honor.
 
"Every aspect of this project reflects our commitment to excellence. Simply put, this is a championship caliber facility," added Taylor.
 
The unveiling began with a press conference in front of approximately 100 VIPs, fans and media in the football team meeting room before taking a tour of the facility.
 
"These are exciting times for Lamar University and our football program," said LU head coach Pete Rossomando. "During my press conference, I talked about now being the time for Lamar football, and I think some people looked around and said that is just 'coach speak,' but the one thing I noticed during my interview was the alignment from our President down to the Director of Athletics. Every day when I walk in the building my main focus is to make our student-athletes experience better. Obviously, the facilities that we've renovated during the last three years have done a lot to enhance that."
 
 
 
The new-look locker room comes with fully ventilated lockers with designated helmet fans, and includes USB-C charging ports, full electronic locks and each player has their head shot above each locker. It also includes four flatscreen TVs, a custom barber shop, sauna, a fully illuminated LU center piece, equipment distribution system and a centralized exit located behind the uprights for the team to enter the field on gamedays.
 
In addition to the locker room, the lounge area includes nutrition station, custom pool table, flat screen TV, PlayStation 5, purified water station, a wall of honor, state-of-the-art security system (with a badge in-and-out system) and cameras.
 
The Cardinals officially open preseason camp Thursday and will take to the field for their first official workout of the season Friday. Lamar will open the 2026 season at home Saturday Aug. 29, against Abilene Christian in a rematch of the 2025 FCS playoff game. The contest is set for a 6 p.m. kick.