| Former names | Lancer Hall (1980–2004)[1] |
|---|---|
| Location | Spruce Street Farmville, Virginia 23909 |
| Coordinates | 37.2975°N 78.3955°W |
| Opened | October 25, 1980[2] |
| Owner | Longwood University |
| Operator | Longwood University |
| Construction cost | $4.5 million ($ in dollars) |
| Architect | MacIlroy & Parris (original)[2] Little, Franck & Lohsen (facade)[3] |
| General contractor | Romeo Guest Associates[2] |
| Tenants | Longwood Lancers (1980–2023) United States vice presidential debate (2016) |
| Seating capacity | 2,522 (prior to 2007)[4] 1,807 (2007–2023)[5] |
| Record attendance | 2,522 (11/13/2006 vs. VCU)[6] |
Willett Hall (originally Lancer Hall) is an academic facility and previously served as a 1,807-seat multi-purpose arena in Farmville, Virginia. It was built in 1980 and was home to the Longwood University Lancers men's and women's basketball teams until 2023. On December 3, 2016, the basketball court was named after former Longwood basketball player Jerome Kersey, officially making the hardwood Jerome Kersey Court.[7]
On October 4, 2016, Longwood was the host for the 2016 United States vice presidential debate.[8] Willett Hall was the venue for the debate. Prior to the debate, the building underwent a modest renovation to the front entrance and lobby in preparation.[3]
On April 10, 2019, Longwood announced a $15 million donation to begin construction of a new convocation and events center to replace Willett Hall as the venue for Lancer basketball. The arena will be named the Joan Perry Brock Center after its benefactor, cost $35-40 million, would seat 3,000, and is scheduled to open in 2023.[9][10] Willett Hall will remain in use as an academic facility, and provide support to the basketball teams as a practice and training venue.[11]
See also
References
- ^ "Longwood Names Three Buildings for Three Former Presidents". Longwood University. July 8, 2004. Archived August 5, 2004 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Johnson, Joe (28 October 1980). "Lancer Hall Dedicated". The Rotunda. p. 11. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ Gregory, Italia (January 12, 2016). "Willett will see improvements before VP debate". The Farmville Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Willett Hall". LongwoodLancers.com. Archived 2 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- ^ "Willett Hall". LongwoodLancers.com. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Falls To VCU 75-63 In Front Of Capacity Crowd (2,522)". 13 November 2006. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ Cook, Chris (November 25, 2016). "Longwood to Name Court in Honor of Jerome Kersey". Longwood Lancers. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ^ "Commission On Presidential Debates announces sites and dates for 2016 general election debates". Commission on Presidential Debates. September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
- ^ "Longwood announces largest gift in its history, $15 million from Joan Brock '64 for campus events center". Longwood University. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ "Joan Perry Brock Center". Longwood University. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "Swan Song". Longwood Lancers. February 24, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.