As the CMS Football team jogged onto the field for their first game at Patrick G. Rogan Stadium on Sept. 5, cheers and applause erupted from the crowd—not only to welcome the Stags, but also to celebrate a new era for CMS Athletics with the opening of the Sports Bowl at the Roberts Campus.
For students in attendance, the excitement surrounding the newest addition to CMC’s east campus extended beyond its athletic offerings, which on Saturday included a 19-14 victory over the University of Northwestern (Minn.). Many saw the Sports Bowl as a vibrant gathering place for the CMC community and an opportunity to build even greater energy around CMS Athletics and broader recreational opportunities.
“I think the Sports Bowl is beautiful. I’m really excited because I think it’ll be a space that will bring enthusiasm for fans to cheer on and experience athletics at CMC,” said Viviana Alvarez de la Cadena Garza ’27.
The Sports Bowl is a multi-phase athletic facility designed to advance CMS’s scholar-leader-athlete vision and create new spaces for competition, training, and community. In addition to Rogan Stadium for football, track and field, and lacrosse, Phase One of the project features new baseball and softball fields, a golf training center, and walking paths. Athletes also have access to new locker rooms, team meeting spaces, and a sports medicine facility.
Additionally, the opening of the Sports Bowl unlocked realignments for CMC spaces across campus, including upgrades to the new Nakasone Field (soccer) next to Roberts Pavilion. Students have already begun experiencing the potential of these spaces, both as athletes and fans.
“I’m a soccer fan, and the soccer team got a really cool stadium. I was there for (their opening win over No.2 ranked Trinity) and it was really amazing,” said Thwahir Malafu ’28.
The impact of the Sports Bowl further extends across the CMS community, with students from Scripps College and Harvey Mudd College sharing access to the new facilities. For student-athletes across the three colleges, the new home for training and competition is already setting their sights in an optimistic direction.
“I think the Sports Bowl adds a stronger sense of identity for student athletes, having a more dedicated space for them to play and practice in,” said Esme Morrison SCR ’29, an athlete on the track and field team.
The opening of the Sports Bowl marks just the beginning of a new chapter for CMC’s campus and athletic community. As the College continues to invest in new spaces and facilities, the Sports Bowl is already giving students another place to come together, support their classmates, and cheer on student-athletes.
“I’ll definitely be cheering. I love to watch any sort of sports, so hopefully I’ll be here a lot cheering for the Stags and Athenas,” said Alvarez de la Cadena Garza.
View additional images from the opening game at the Sports Bowl below.
