NEW ATHLETIC CENTER
Announcing Construction of the Jim Heinz Athletic Center
Building for Life
At Evangelical Christian School, we believe athletics is about more than competition. It is a vital part of developing students — physically, mentally, and spiritually — as they pursue excellence for the glory of God.
In the summer of 2026, ECS will begin construction on the Jim Heinz Athletic Center, a new student-athlete development facility on our Shelby Farms campus. This project represents a significant investment in our students and our mission to build young men and women of character, discipline and faith.
A Facility Designed for Student Development
The Jim Heinz Athletic Center will serve as a central hub for ECS athletics and will include:
- A modern weight room to support strength and conditioning
- Boys and girls locker rooms designed to serve all student-athletes
- Dedicated athletic offices for coaches and staff
- An outdoor turf training space for year-round development
Strategically located between the north end zone of Legends Field and Eagle Hall, adjacent to the Legacy Center, this facility will enhance daily training, team development and the overall student-athlete experience.
|
|
Expanding Opportunities Across Campus
This project will also allow us to transform existing spaces to better serve all areas of ECS:
- The current field house will be renovated into a Fine Arts building, providing expanded space for fine arts classes
- The existing weight room will become a dedicated hitting facility for our baseball and softball programs
Through this development, ECS continues to strengthen not only athletics, but also Fine Arts and other key student programs.
Honoring a Lasting Legacy
The facility is named in honor of Jim Heinz, a legendary coach and faithful servant who shaped generations of ECS students.
Tennessee Hall of Fame Coach Heinz served at ECS for decades, leading football and baseball teams to seven state championships and earning numerous Coach of the Year honors. Yet his greatest impact was not measured in wins, but in the lives of the young men he discipled.
He is remembered as a man who loved the Lord, invested deeply in his players and challenged them to pursue excellence in all areas of life.
A Tradition of Excellence
ECS has a rich history of athletic success, including:
- 29 state championships across ten team sports
- A legacy of student-athletes who compete with excellence and integrity
- Numerous alumni in collegiate and professional sports
The Jim Heinz Athletic Center will build on this strong foundation and equip future generations of ECS athletes for continued growth and success.
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
Join Us in Building the Future
Thanks to the generosity of our community, construction of the Jim Heinz Athletic Center will begin this summer, with completion anticipated in the spring of 2027.
As we move forward, we invite you to partner with us.
Your gift to this project is an investment in:
- The development of ECS student-athletes
- The continued excellence of our athletic programs
- The expansion of opportunities across campus
- The mission of ECS to impact students for Christ
Every gift — of any size — makes a difference.
GIVE NOW TO THE JIM HEINZ ATHLETIC CENTER
For more information about giving opportunities, please contact Scott Hauss, Head of School.
Together, we are building more than a facility. We are building students for life.