Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Spotlights JU Student Performers
For the first time in Jacksonville
University's history, the
prestigious Kennedy Center
American College Theater Festival
honored a full-length student-
written work, String, directed by
Professor Erik DeCicco. Theatre
major Carlos Adorno '20 said, “I
wrote this play to explore the raw
and unadulterated forms of love
… and how they affect human
relationships. More importantly,
I want others to examine the
importance of loving the people in
our lives before it’s too late.”
Another JU production, Into the
Woods also performed select scenes
at the Festival.
Construction to Begin on Basketball Performance Center
Jacksonville University Athletics
will begin building a basketball
performance center in the late
spring of 2020 to provide a future
home for men’s and women’s
basketball operations. “Having a space with unlimited
access for their individual growth as
students and players is significant in
creating a culture of improvement
and development,” said men’s
basketball head Coach Tony Jasick.
“This project has been a top priority
for our University and athletics
department for several years,” said
Senior Vice President and Athletic
Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert. “The
Basketball Performance Center
will provide a new home for our
student-athletes, enhance our ability
to recruit quality individuals, and
allow them to be better prepared
academically and athletically. This is
a major component of a larger plan
to chart our successful future in
men’s and women’s basketball.” The facility elevates Jacksonville
basketball to a level more consistent
with its basketball rivals.
The 26,000-square-foot practice
facility will be built next to historic
Swisher Gymnasium and have direct
access to that venue. The facility will
feature coaches’ offices, a weight
room, a training room and a full
court and a half of playing surface.
10
NEWS
“A one-stop shop where we can
train, build team camaraderie, and
attract top recruits will help us
compete at a high level and carry
out the mission of our program to
positively impact the lives of our
student-athletes, the JU community,
and the city of Jacksonville through
winning basketball and quality
education,” women’s basketball head
Coach Darnell Haney said.
The facility is expected to be ready
by the summer of 2021.