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Post by elonfirefighter on Dec 4, 2014 9:43:01 GMT -5
And the lead gift has been made
Dear friends of Elon,
I am writing with historic news of a major gift that will support construction of two new buildings planned for our campus. Elon parents Dwight and Martha Schar have made the largest single gift in Elon University history, pledging $12 million for a new building planned for the School of Communications and to provide a lead gift for construction of Elon's convocation center, a facility envisioned in the Elon Commitment strategic plan.
I invite you to learn more about the Schar family and the impact their gift will have on Elon's future. Their generosity is an unprecedented vote of confidence in the university and a powerful investment that will impact generations of students.
Leo M. Lambert President
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Post by elonfirefighter on Dec 4, 2014 9:44:26 GMT -5
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Post by euphoenix99 on Dec 4, 2014 10:26:34 GMT -5
Great news! This will be awesome for the program and the school and hopefully take Elon basketball to an even higher level. Cool to see parents of students getting on board with what Elon is trying to do and making huge contributions. Thanks to the Schars for their generous support.
One thing I noticed was the article on the main page had a rough rendering. That rendering looks massive 10-15K range. I assume that's just a place holder given the article said design has not started. Either way it's all pretty exciting.
Go Phoenix!
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Post by fc4life on Dec 4, 2014 12:20:15 GMT -5
As I mentioned in another thread. We do not need a new arena. It will sit empty for most of the year and we simply do not have the need for it right now. I know they say that it will be used for convocation, etc. However, until we sell out our games for years the demand is not there. Sure, we've had some sellouts. That creates a demand. Mark my words, it will be an overall ghost town that will need drapes and tarps to cover the seats.
The money would be better spent on endowing scholarships and budgets.
Ask App St. and WCU how their big arenas are doing.
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Post by topher99 on Dec 4, 2014 12:28:00 GMT -5
There are more reasons than seating size that a new arena is needed. The facility is out-dated and ill-equipped to handle the crowds of 1,600 people. There aren't enough bathrooms or concessions areas, more locker rooms are needed, space to move around inside the facility is limited, etc.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 12:34:34 GMT -5
And the treatment area is much too small and under equipped.
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Post by elonfirefighter on Dec 4, 2014 13:05:19 GMT -5
Graduation is a big issue. "Knock on wood" if it rains now only 2 people get to see you walk across in person. Imagine how you would feel if you flew to see your brother or granddaughter and you had to watch it on video.
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Post by phoenixfc on Dec 4, 2014 13:06:05 GMT -5
Plus, it would be nice to have adequate space for graduation if it rains and has to be moved inside. I know we rarely fill Alumni gym for basketball games - but that does not mean we should not plan for the future. Alumni is very nice, thanks to the Robertsons, but, it's still very small. I hope adequate, convenient parking is being factored into the plans. The convocation center will be about more than athletics, but those programs will benefit greatly from the new facility.
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Post by phoenixfc on Dec 4, 2014 13:07:19 GMT -5
(EFF..guess you were posting while I was typing...did not see your post until I just did my own reply.)
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Post by elonfirefighter on Dec 4, 2014 13:08:20 GMT -5
lol yea I beat you to the punch
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Post by whoanellie on Dec 4, 2014 17:57:29 GMT -5
get that 50 m pool so We can have a top swimming and diving team as the hockey/ice rink is looking good too
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 20:30:04 GMT -5
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Post by trianglephan on Dec 5, 2014 11:16:36 GMT -5
Quote from article below.. all very good reasons for new convocation center. Some of these events will also produce revenue/positive exposure for the University. Not to mention, better facilities should help attract better recruits.
"The university has a long-standing need for a large gathering space that will support major events, including convocations, regional and national conventions, addresses by international figures and other special occasions. The convocation center will also provide a larger arena for Phoenix basketball and volleyball programs, putting Elon's venue on par with the size of facilities at other member schools in the Colonial Athletic Association."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2014 13:24:17 GMT -5
If you talk to the basketball staff off the record they'll tell you in no uncertain terms that the venue in which the prospective recruits play is at least in the top 3 factors for choosing a school. They have been able to spin the "small but loud" angle to a certain degree over the past couple of years, but the vast number of recruits never get to come to an Elon game because their season is the same as ours, and the NCAA recruiting rules prohibit certain visits. The venue was one of the primary reasons we lost De'Mon Brooks to Davidson. (He had originally verbally committed to Elon). So you can talk about having a better team first, then selling out multiple seasons, then constructing a new venue, but these things all go hand in hand. The "first this then that" argument just doesn't hold up. There are no clear cut demarcations in building a program. All factors are a part of the success. The reality is that we are behind with regard to venue. I personally like Alumni Gym. I like my seats and for the size of the building, I think it's one of the most comfortable and cozy venues in which I've attended a game. It can also be intimidating to visiting teams when it's sold out; it's loud and the fans are literally right on the court. But the reality is that it's like a fully tricked out tricycle, when everyone else is riding a Harley. If you ever get the chance, walk into Alumni when it's empty. Then do the same at College of Charleston or UNCW & see how you feel. This is what our prospective recruits are doing.
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Post by phoenix2008 on Dec 5, 2014 14:24:19 GMT -5
all great points fightinchristian, this is a huge announcement for Elon University and will positively impact our athletic program, most notably men's hoops for decades. Keep in mind, this convocation center is probably still 5 years away, at which time we will be a larger student body and have been to 3 consecutive NCAA tournaments for men's hoops Seriously though, look what Towson's new basketball venue did for their program (in 2011 the basketball team won 1 single game, that same year they announced they were breaking ground on a 5,000 seat state of the art basketball venue...last year they team went 27-11 in their first year with the arena operational)...I know their new coach had a lot to do with the turnaround, but you can't tell me he didn't appreciate having that new building in his back pocket to dangle in front of recruits. As we continue to promote the convocation center and recruits see it being built, it will 100% help attract better talent. Attendance will always be an issue for all of our sports, but we're building for the future. Judging by Elon's construction track record, I think they will do a tremendous job at designing this facility to create a much of a home court advantage as possible (i.e student seating close to the floor).
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