History
The University Center opened in 2004. The $40 million, 230,000-square-foot (21,000 m2) center, houses Mercer's athletics department, a 3,500-seat basketball arena, an indoor pool, work-out facilities, intramural basketball courts, offices, a food court, and numerous meeting facilities. Mercer's baseball, softball, and intramural fields are located adjacent to the center along with the university's tennis complex and football-lacrosse complex (Moye Complex, completion 2013).
The University Center replaced Porter Gym, which stood on the Mercer campus from 1937 to 2004; Porter Gym was located on the central quadrangle and was razed when the University Center opened. The center is also located on the central quadrangle on the site of the university's original fraternity row, which was razed after a new Greek Village opened. In 2007, a 101-room Hilton Garden Inn opened on university-owned land adjacent to the University Center. Large parking lots are available for visitors-spectators arriving via the Mercer University Drive exit off of Interstate 75.
The University Center arena was named Hawkins Arena in 2012. The naming honors J. B. Hawkins, former high school athletic director and basketball coach in Crawford County.
Read more about this topic: University Center (Mercer University)
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