FAIRFAX, Va.— A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today to celebrate the opening of Mason basketball's first-ever dedicated basketball practice facility.

George Mason University's President Ángel Cabrera and Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Brad Edwards welcomed and thanked more than 100 donors at the dedication, including longtime supporter Kathy Mckay, who provided a leadership gift of $275,000 to the project. In gratitude of the lead gift, the practice court is named K McKay Court.

The donors entered the practice court as all the members of the men's and women's basketball teams were grouped together at center court holding a sign with the words Thank You. It set the tone for the ceremony.

"We are so excited about this day as we open this dedicated practice facility for our basketball programs," said Edwards. "It's been a tremendous process to get to this point with a tremendous amount of involvement and support from a lot of people in this room. 
 
"The groundwork for making this facility a reality started three years ago with a strategic assessment," said Brad Edwards. "When we started in the Atlantic 10, a premier basketball conference, and began to look at what we needed in order to excel in the conference, it was apparent that we needed a dedicated space to practice for our basketball teams, the only two Mason programs that didn't have a space dedicated for that purpose. That was something that we needed to solve as we put together the building blocks for what it will take to have a great program. We are a teaching and development based program. We want young people to come in and we want to make them better."

"Brad put together a strategic plan, a true plan with a vision and a deadline," said President Cabrera. "This was a big part of the plan. He said Mason absolutely needs this facility to recruit and to give our students a good experience. If you go to college to study chemistry you need good facilities to run your experiments and to learn chemistry. If you come to college to grow in your major and grow as an athlete you need a place like this."

Abiding by the university's vision of creativity in using existing resources with respect to cost, the "Cage Gym" in the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC) underwent a comprehensive, $1-million renovation to provide the first-class practice home for men's and women's basketball. It represents a cost savings of approximately $13 million when compared to the establishment of a new stand-alone facility.
 
Alta Vista Construction finished the renovation of the 15,000-square foot facility in four months, installing new lighting and a Robbins MVP Hardwood surface that spans the size of two basketball courts, which includes a full center court surrounded with two half courts on both sidelines. The center court basketball goals are replicas of the EagleBank Arena baskets used for all home games. In addition, the facility features video capabilities and George Mason branding.
 
"Everything that Brad and Ángel said that they were willing to do and wanted to do, every single commitment that they indicated to me could and would happen has happened in the two and half years that I've been here," said Coach Dave Paulsen. "This space is awesome. It's a great teaching space and practice environment and it will help our guys improve. I want to thank everyone for their support."

"This practice facility will make a huge difference in our program," said coach Nyla Milleson. "I want to thank Brad and Dr. Cabrera for their vision, their foresight of what it means to be competitive and win championships in the Atlantic 10. This gives us more of an opportunity to become better. Thanks to all of our donors for making this happen. We are honored and humbled to practice in this facility. It's home. It's ours."

The facility is part of the $2.2-million Phase I of the Basketball Excellence Plan, which also includes a complete overhaul of the teams' locker rooms at EagleBank Arena. The scope of the locker room project is to enhance the facility with new lockers and benches, a team lounge, a film room and upgraded technologies. The targeted completion date is scheduled for the opening of the 2018-19 season.
 
For more information on how to make a gift in support of this project, visit gomason.com or contact the Patriot Club at 703.993.3217 or jmontgo2@gmu.edu. Naming opportunities located within the project are still available.