Hill Convocation Center
{{Short description|Indoor arena in Statesboro, Georgia, U.S.}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Hill Convocation Center
| nickname = The Hill
| logo_image =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| fullname = Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center
| former names =
| address = 284 Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Way, Statesboro, GA 30458
| location = Statesboro, Georgia
| coordinates = {{coord|32|24|22.5|N|81|46|59.0|W|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = May 26, 2022
| opened = December 4, 2024
| renovated =
| owner = Georgia Southern University
| operator =
| architect = Hussey Gay Bell{{cite web |title=GS Convocation Center - Hussey Gay Bell |url=https://husseygaybell.com/portfolio/gs-convocation-center/ |website=Hussey Gay Bell |access-date=November 18, 2024}}
| capacity = 5,500 (basketball)
5,900 (convocation)
| suites =
| record_attendance =
| dimensions =
| acreage =
| volume =
| tenants = Georgia Southern Eagles (NCAA)
(2024–present)
| embedded =
| website = {{URL|https://gseagles.com/facilities/jack-and-ruth-ann-hill-convocation-center/59|Hill Convocation Center}}
| publictransit =
}}
The Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center is a multi-purpose 5,500-seat indoor arena in Statesboro, Georgia. The arena is owned by Georgia Southern University and houses the Georgia Southern Eagles (NCAA Division I) men's and women's basketball teams.
History
In February 2021, the University System of Georgia approved plans for the new convocation center to be dedicated to former Georgia State senator and alumni Jack Hill, along with his wife, Ruth Ann, in recognition for his service to committees that helped expand the university's funding for facilities.{{Cite web |author-link=Georgia Southern University |date=February 11, 2021 |title=BOR approves naming of planned Convocation Center at Georgia Southern |url=https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/news/2021/02/11/bor-approves-naming-of-new-convocation-center-at-georgia-southern/ |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=georgiasouthern.edu}} In May 2022, construction broke ground on {{convert|95000|sqft}} of land located on the south-side of the university campus along the Veterans Memorial Parkway, serving as the centerpiece of the university's "South Campus" expansion.{{Cite web |date= May 26, 2022 |title=Dignitaries Help University Officials Break Ground on Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center |url=https://gseagles.com/news/2022/5/26/general-dignitaries-help-university-officials-break-ground-on-jack-and-ruth-ann-hill-convocation-center |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=Georgia Southern University Athletics |language=en}} The structure was built to accommodate basketball games and convocation events, as well as classrooms, faculty offices, and psychology labs to serve the university's sports medicine academia.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hill Convocation Center was held on December 4, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Healy |first=Jim |orig-date=December 4, 2024 |title=‘The Hill’ Convocation Center now open |url=https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/the-hill-convocation-center-now-open/ |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=Statesboro Herald |language=en-US}} Following its opening, the Georgia Southern men's and women's basketball teams finished their 2024–25 seasons playing at the Hill Convocation Center, despite starting their initial home games at Hanner Fieldhouse.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Georgia Southern University}}
{{Georgia Southern Eagles men's basketball navbox}}
{{Georgia Southern Eagles women's basketball navbox}}
{{Sun Belt Conference basketball venue navbox}}
Category:College basketball venues in Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Georgia Southern Eagles basketball
Category:2024 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Buildings and structures in Bulloch County, Georgia
Category:Sports venues completed in 2024
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