Oregon Football: Ducks open elaborate Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Center

EUGENE, Ore., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- His Hawaiian spirit is staying put in Oregon.

That was confirmed for Marucs Mariota recently, when the University of Oregon opened the Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Center in Eugene. The center is on the ground floor of the Casanova Center, and included the overhaul of the equipment room, and much, much more.

Mariota now has a literal shrine built for him at the center. It comes complete with a trophy room, an LED flat screen TV with his college highlights on a loop, and a "shadowbox with memorabilia of his from Hawaii," Greg Walker wrote for GoDucks.com.

The center also has an Oregon throne, boxing ring, and sleep pods.

"The goal of this project was to create one space where we could utilize the most state-of-the-art technology to improve student-athlete wellness and emphasize our commitment to the health and safety of our student-athletes," Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens told Walker. "Thanks to the incredible generosity of Phil and Penny Knight, we now have a world-class facility that is going to take the student-athlete experience at the University of Oregon to a level not previously seen anywhere on the collegiate level."

The $19 million, 30,000 sq. ft. facility is primarily funded by Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny.

Oregon Director of Athletic Medicine Dr. Greg Skaggs traveled to NASA and Australia to research the facility's construction, according to Oregon.

"Unlike other university performance centers, this facility is designed to make real-time interventions into a student-athlete's training program and well-being," Skaggs said in the release.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy Award winner completed 779-of-1,167 passes, for 10,796 yards, 105 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in three years with the Ducks. He also rushed for 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns on 337 college carries. He also had two receiving scores.