About Us

The R. Brad Martin Student Wellness Center and Plaza opened June 30, 2021. The 78,000+ square foot, two-story facility features expanded cardio and weight training areas, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, fitness studios, Tiger Food Lab teaching kitchen, Tiger Café, indoor track, outdoor leisure pool, classroom space and more. 

The new building operates alongside our Sports Complex, which provides intramural sports, club sports, basketball, volleyball, badminton, racquetball, outdoor playing fields, tennis courts, sauna and indoor swimming.

Mission, Vision + Values

Mission

To inspire students to pursue an active and healthy lifestyle

Vision

To be a leading center of activity at the University for student engagement and wellness programming

Values

We embrace the following values. They are principles, ideals and the foundation we build upon. They guide our decisions and give context for the environment we create and share with our students.

Service - Recognizing and prioritizing the needs of each individual
Teamwork - Working together to maximize our impact
Optimism - Seeing each challenge as an opportunity
Excellence - Striving to exceed expectations
Innovation - Applying creativity and diligence to every endeavor

Who is R. Brad Martin?

R. Brad Martin graduated from the University of Memphis and earned an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. He was previously student body president at the UofM and interim UofM president in 2013-14, and served on the UofM Board of Trustees 2017-2022. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters following his time as interim president.

"Wellness is at the core of what a great school is supposed to be all about," said R. Brad Martin. "There's not an element of this community [where] wellness is not impacted by the work of this great university."

Martin also served five terms as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and holds the distinction of being the youngest person ever elected to the Tennessee legislature. He is currently chairman of RBM Ventures and the Martin Family Foundation, and retired chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated. 

"I can't imagine a more fitting building to carry the name of Brad Martin," said former president Rudd. "He has been dedicated to student wellness since his days as a student at the UofM. Much of his work has been done outside the public view, but has been essential to the progress of this University and our community."