Vanderbilt Athletics dedicates the Huber Center

Nashville, Tenn. – In one of the most significant milestones yet in the historic Vandy United campaign, Vanderbilt University today dedicated the Huber Center for men’s and women’s basketball. The Cutting-Edge Operations Center and practice facility were made possible by the generosity of Vanderbilt Alumnus George B. Huber, Ba’79 and his wife Cathy, along with more than 4,000 Vandy United Donors.

One of the largest stand-alone facilities in the country, the Huber Center reinforces the proud history of Memorial High School with the championship educational environment of the future.

“I am so grateful to everyone in Commodore Nation who made the Huber Center possible – it was truly a dream team effort,” said Candice Storey Lee, Chancellor of Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director. “Befitting a university that dares to grow in so many ways, the Huber Center is a facility worthy of the history and tradition of Vanderbilt men’s and women’s basketball. I can say with complete confidence that there is no better basketball facility in the nation. And I can’t wait to see the Memorial Magic our student-athletes are capable of thanks to this incredible investment. “

Friday’s dedication and open house celebrated the completion of one of Vandy United’s cornerstone projects. Guests heard remarks from Lee, Huber, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, women’s basketball head coach Shea Ralph and men’s basketball head coach Mark Byington.

“The values ​​that our coaches and student-athletes champion are values ​​that we hold at Vanderbilt: hard work and courage, continuous growth, equal measures of challenge and support, and selflessly coming together in pursuit of a greater common purpose,” Diermeier said. “In form and spirit, the Huber Center embodies our efforts to build the great university of the 21st century—a place where the best and brightest will realize their full potential.”

Huber welcomed the opportunity to speak for the thousands who have made Vandy United a reality.

“Cathy and I are proud to be here today on behalf of the community that came together to make this facility possible,” said Huber. “Athletics is an essential part of a university’s identity – how it defines itself and how the world sees it. They inspire and unite us. Along with all those who supported Vandy United and this project, we believe that our basketball programs can embody the excellence that Vanderbilt strives for in all that it does. We’re excited to see the Commodores come together to cheer what’s starting here. “

The four-story facility, which sits in the north end zone at FirstBank Stadium, has separate practice gyms for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Located in the heart of the Frist Athletics Village, it offers coaches, staff and student-athletes direct access to Memorial Gymnasium and a variety of services and amenities designed to enhance the student-athlete experience.

• Player spaces include locker rooms, player lounges and film rooms, in addition to training facilities that include a hydrotherapy and recovery suite, double-height weight room, dedicated sports science area and multiple nutrition stations.
• The facility also houses multipurpose event spaces that serve the teams daily and serve as premium spaces for Commodore football games.
• The Huber Center is designed to be environmentally sustainable, from rainwater harvesting strategies to mass timber construction in the weight room, among other techniques.

“In everything we do here, starting with Chancellor Diermeier and Dr. Candice Storey Lee, you can see there is a clear vision for the relentless commitment to maximizing our full potential as human beings,” Ralph said. “It allows me to create an opportunity that I don’t think our student-athletes could experience anywhere else. To George and Cathy Huber, thank you so much for all that you have contributed – not only in material, but in heart and vision and for inspiring the community to do the same. What you have created for our student-athletes is a daily representation of what is possible for them to achieve on and off the basketball court. “

“When I jump out of bed every morning, I can’t wait to get here,” Byington said. “We have absolutely everything here – the technology, the training. When you get a chance to walk around and you see the weight room, it’s the best weight room I’ve seen in any sport. With all of these things, it’s just about taking care of our student-athletes in the best possible way. I cannot say enough about the generosity of the Huber family. The family’s name is on the building, but they are more deeply invested than that. The way they care and they give, they show it in their actions in many different ways. “

Both basketball teams began using the Huber Center earlier this season. Entering the weekend, they had a combined record of 31-8. Men’s basketball defeated No. 6 Tennessee last weekend and enters Saturday’s home game against Kentucky with a 15-4 record. Seeking back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament, women’s basketball is 16-4 and also defeated Tennessee last weekend.

About Vandy United

A key initiative of the university’s Dare to Grow campaign, Vandy United has raised more than $350 million. The university continues work on larger facilities and operational improvements, including Deadline Athletics Village and ambitious renovations planned for Hawkins Field. Through the Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success and other efforts, the campaign has also funded scholarships and support programs to ensure Vanderbilt student-athletes are prepared for success on and off the field.