Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71
Mabee Gymnasium
411 SW 24th St
San Antonio, TX 78237
Year Opened: 2002
Capacity: 1,600
The Saints of OLLU
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) was founded in San Antonio in 1895 by the Sisters of Divine Providence from Lorraine, France. It is the oldest school offering degrees in Social Work in Texas. For much of OLLU’s history, it was strictly an academic institution, offering no organized athletics programs to speak of.
That all changed in 2007, with the founding of the school’s volleyball and men’s soccer programs. In 2009, men’s and women’s basketball were also added, and the OLLU Saints (formerly the Armadillos) began competing in the NAIA.
Now members of the Red River Athletic Conference, the Saints are still relatively in their infancy as a program. They scored their first win over an NCAA Division I member in 2020, with an upset win over the Texas State Bobcats. They have also made appearances in the NAIA national tournament’s Sweet 16 in 2012 and 2015, and in the tournament’s Elite 8 in 2016 and 2018.
For the entirety of the Saints existence, they’ve played their home games at Mabee Gymnasium. Located within the school health and fitness complex, the gymnasium is a classic small school court that is the perfect venue for a program like OLLU’s; the gym received a facelift in 2021 to keep it looking like it is brand new. Read on to learn more about this hidden gem in the Alamo City.
Food & Beverage 3
As one could expect with a venue the size of Mabee Gymnasium, there is only one concession stand for fans. The stand offers up a lot of traditional game day offerings, such as hot dogs (or chili dogs, if you prefer), nachos, popcorn, pretzels, candy, bottled sodas, water, and sports drinks. Patrons can also purchase pizza, either whole pies or by the slice.
This is all good and it is all to be expected. What really impressed me though and pushed this score up, is the offering of fresh-made pan dulces – Mexican sweet breads. Baked goods such as conchas, orejas, and empanadas are brought in each game from a nearby neighborhood panadería. Not only are they delicious, but they’re a great reflection of OLLU’s community.
However, if for whatever reason you aren’t into any of the foodstuffs they have for sale, fans are allowed to bring in food from outside the venue.
Atmosphere 3
Mabee Gymnasium reminds me of a classic small town, small high school gym – this is a good thing. The wooden bleachers and yellowed playing surface make it feel older than it really is, which all adds to the atmosphere.
The school has decorated the walls of the gym with banners highlighting all their programs’ accomplishments; you’ll be instantly drawn to the massive NAIA national championship banner that the school’s softball team won in 2024, as well as to the Hall of Fame banners above the home team stands.
One more bit of atmosphere to keep in mind regarding the gymnasium – fans on the home side of the court can sit virtually right on top of the action. A walking area of just about two feet is all that separates fans in the front row of bleachers from the action; this really is an experience that you rarely get as a spectator.
My last point to make here is that, if you have time before you catch a Saints game, make time to stroll through the campus. The Gothic architecture is beautiful and the walking paths along the artificial lake on campus are a rare treat, especially in this part of Texas.
Neighborhood 2
OLLU’s campus is located deep inside San Antonio’s historic west side, amid one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in the city. It is about a 15-minute drive from the city’s vibrant downtown area, which is where most visitors to the city go, as that area is home to the Alamo, HemisFair Park, Tower of the Americas, and the San Antonio River Walk. This is going to be your best bet if you’re looking for things to do before or after Saints games.
One attraction that is not too far from OLLU’s campus is historic Woodlawn Lake Park; with its celebrated lighthouse serving as a guardian for the lake, this park has been a favorite for residents for over a century. Loaded with walking and biking trails and docks for boating and fishing, it is another local gem that most visitors to the Alamo City never get to see.
In terms of dining, there are scores of mom-and-pop Mexican restaurants in the area. If you’re looking for a taste of something authentic and true, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a spot in the area that’s bad. A few highlights to look for are Ray’s Drive Inn; a longtime favorite of mine and of the city as a whole since it opened in the 1950s – burgers, puffy tacos (read all about those here), crispy dogs (and read all about those here), malts, and more are all on the menu at this timeless treasure.
Another popular local landmark to look out for is Panifico Bake Shop; while not a traditional sit-down restaurant, this bakery is home to and purveyor of those pan dulces I mentioned above in the Food & Beverage section. They’re delicious.
For lodging, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything near the OLLU campus, so your best bet is staying downtown and driving in to your game.
Fans 3
Getting an accurate attendance count for OLLU Saints games at Mabee Gymnasium might be an impossible task for their athletics department; students and children under 12 can get into games free of charge, so there really isn’t any way to account for them. Regardless, the size of the gym – with a capacity of just 1,600 – allows for even a crowd of a couple hundred to look, feel, and sound enormous.
While I didn’t see many folks wearing Saints apparel, the stands felt full. Also, the fans were loud and into the action for the entirety of the game. I can’t really speculate the size, but I can say it was a really good turnout for the most recent weeknight game I attended.
Access 3
Our Lady of the Lake University is roughly a 20-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport. The campus is pretty far removed from the nearest highway access, so you’ll be driving through residential and commercial areas for much of your commute.
If you choose not to drive, the city’s public transportation option, VIA Metropolitan Transit, does offer routes that will drop you off at OLLU’s campus.
If you do drive, parking is plentiful and free near the gymnasium; just be mindful of reserved spots.
Return on Investment 3
I have to say that I’m feeling generous with this score, and your experience might differ from mine. General admission tickets for OLLU Saints games are just $10 per person. The university brings in some bigger schools, but mostly the team here competes at home against fellow NAIA squads.
However, from my perspective, this is basketball – and sports really – competed purely for the love of the game. If you’re not a huge fan of what’s happening in big-time college athletics these days, this will be a nice reminder of the good old days.
Either way, with such a low ticket cost, free parking, and a concessions menu where I didn’t see a single item costing more than $6, you’re getting a good bargain taking in a Saints basketball game at Mabee Gymnasium.
Extras 2
One area where OLLU doesn’t have much beyond a few standard trappings of sports is in the Extras category; the OLLU spirit squad – made up of the cheerleading and dance teams – can be found performing on the baselines throughout home games and during breaks in the action (though not at halftime for some reason). Also, the OLLU drumline plays during games as well, but that’s pretty much it.
Final Thoughts
I had never been to OLLU for a basketball game, though I’ve lived in the city for more years than I care to count. It was an experience I will definitely take in again. The gym is definitely on the small side, but it also definitely suits the team, the school, and the conference they play in.
If you’re in San Antonio and looking for an inexpensive way to catch some sports, head over to the west side, stroll the OLLU campus, and catch a Saints game at Mabee Gymnasium.
Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.
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