Athletic and Recreation Center, known as the Graham Center, operates as Johnson University’s comprehensive athletic facility at Johnson Drive in Knoxville, Tennessee. Completed in 2019, the center serves as the central hub for the university’s 10 intercollegiate sports programs and houses facilities for more than 170 student-athletes while providing recreational opportunities for the broader campus community.
The Graham Center houses the main competition court within Douglas E. Karnes Arena, which serves as the home venue for basketball and volleyball teams. The arena provides professional-level playing surfaces and spectator accommodations for intercollegiate competition and community events.
A separate recreation court offers additional space for casual play, intramural activities, and practice sessions, ensuring that competitive and recreational needs can be accommodated simultaneously.
The facility features a swimming pool that receives positive feedback from users for its quality and condition. The pool serves both athletic training purposes and recreational swimming for students and community members.
Swimming facilities support competitive swimming programs while providing fitness and recreation opportunities for the campus community throughout the year.
A dedicated weight room provides strength training equipment and fitness resources for student-athletes and general campus population. The weight room supports athletic performance development while accommodating fitness goals for non-athlete students.
Fitness center amenities ensure that comprehensive training resources are available to support both competitive athletics and personal wellness goals.
Professional athletic training facilities provide injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services for student-athletes. The training room supports the health and safety of competitive sports participants while ensuring proper medical care for athletic injuries.
The Canfield Turf Room provides indoor practice space with artificial turf surfaces, allowing for year-round training opportunities regardless of weather conditions. This specialized facility supports multiple sports that require field-based practice sessions.
Russell Morgan Field serves as the home venue for baseball programs, providing professional-quality playing surfaces and spectator accommodations. Thomas Smith Field accommodates softball programs with dedicated facilities designed for competitive play.
Both fields offer regulation playing surfaces that support intercollegiate competition while serving as practice venues for team development.
The soccer field provides a dedicated venue for soccer programs and serves as a practice and competition space. The field supports both men’s and women’s soccer teams while accommodating recreational soccer activities.
Tennis court facilities support both competitive tennis programs and recreational play for campus community members. The courts provide quality playing surfaces for individual and team tennis activities.
The main lobby area provides welcoming space for students, athletes, and visitors entering the facility. The lobby serves as a central gathering area and creates a positive first impression for campus visitors and prospective students.
Social spaces throughout the facility encourage community building and provide areas for students and athletes to interact outside of formal programming. A cafe within the center offers food and beverage options for facility users.
These amenities support the broader campus life experience while providing convenient services for active facility users.
An integrated walking trail provides outdoor exercise opportunities that complement indoor fitness facilities. The trail supports campus wellness initiatives while offering accessible fitness options for all community members.
The Graham Center houses coaching staff and athletic administration offices, centralizing athletic program management within the primary facility. This integration supports efficient program operations and communication between athletic departments.
Administrative offices ensure that student-athlete support services, academic coordination, and program management are readily accessible within the athletic facility.
Comprehensive locker room facilities serve both competitive athletes and recreational facility users. Locker rooms provide changing, storage, and preparation spaces that support various facility activities.
The facility accommodates tournaments and special events, though admission fees for spectators may apply during major competitions. Tournament hosting demonstrates the facility’s capacity to serve regional athletic events beyond university programming.
Community events and tournaments provide additional revenue while showcasing the university’s athletic facilities to broader audiences.
Community feedback consistently highlights the facility’s cleanliness, good working order, and overall quality. The relatively new construction and ongoing maintenance ensure that facilities meet contemporary standards for collegiate athletics.
Regular upkeep and modern amenities create positive experiences for both participants and spectators using the facility for various purposes.
The Graham Center supports Johnson University’s mission of developing student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. The facility’s design promotes integration between athletic participation and academic success.
Comprehensive support services within the facility ensure that student-athletes have access to resources that support their dual roles as students and competitive athletes.
Beyond serving intercollegiate athletics, the Graham Center provides recreational opportunities for the broader campus community, supporting overall student wellness and campus life quality.
The facility’s multiple amenities ensure that various recreational interests and fitness levels are accommodated, promoting healthy lifestyles among all university community members.
The Athletic and Recreation Center (Graham Center) represents Johnson University’s commitment to comprehensive athletic programming while supporting the wellness and recreational needs of the entire campus community through modern, well-maintained facilities and diverse programming opportunities.
