A Home for Hoops
Basketball Practice Facility & Locker Room Renovation
In a sport where home court advantage means so much, our basketball programs are missing a home. That fact may not be obvious - after all, home games are played at EagleBank Arena located right on campus. However, only a small percentage of practice, training, weight lifting, film study and team meetings actually takes place at EagleBank Arena.
As one of the most successful arenas in the country, EagleBank Arena is booked for more than 100 dates per year, relegating our basketball teams to practice at the RAC (Recreation and Athletic Complex).
While the RAC is a wonderful facility, it lacks dedicated space for lockers, offices, academic tutoring, meetings, training and sports medicine. To remedy this, an addition to the RAC is planned and will consolidate in one place all the essential functions for the men's and women's basketball teams.
A two-phase approach will provide an interim solution for our teams while the full facility is under construction. Phase 1 will include improvements to the existing upstairs gym at the RAC (the "Cage Gym") including new hardwood courts, six basketball goals, new lighting, and team branding. During this phase, renovations to other parts of the RAC are needed to accommodate student recreational needs due to the loss of access to the Cage Gym. The cost of Phase 1 is estimated at $1 million. Phase 1 was completed September 2017. A ribbon cutting for the renovated facility was held October 13, 2017.
Phase 2 consists of the complete design and construction of the entire addition to the RAC. All of the improvements made in Phase 1 will be incorporated into the addition so no investment will be lost or used only temporarily.
The need for a dedicated basketball practice facility is clear. It is essential to our ability to compete in the demanding A-10, and to return regularly to the NCAAs.
Major improvements are planned for the men's and women's basketball locker rooms. The locker room campaign will provide the necessary funding to enhance our facility with Mason pride, upgraded technologies and amenities that will excite players and new recruits as we continue to build on our Patriot traditions. This renovated facility will offer our student-athletes new lockers and benches, a team lounge, a film room and an updated design to the decades-old facility. In order to construct a "State of the Art" basketball locker room facility, we will need to reach our overall goal of $1,000,000.
We invite all Patriot supporters to consider investing in Mason Basketball. By making this investment now, you will help lay the foundation of success that will yield benefits for decades to come. To learn more about the project contact Jennifer Montgomery at 703.993.3217 or jmontgo2@gmu.edu. Make a gift today to the Basketball Improvement Fund by clicking here.
Locker Room Renovation Renderings
Practice Facility Phase 1 Rendering
Practice Facility Ribbon Cutting October 13, 2017
