Highlander Newspaper

Issue date: 5/26/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Julia Lee In the coming months, UCR's long range planning commitee will begin discussing the possibility of building an events center. The hope is that the events center will bring more recognition and success to UCR's athletic programs.

UC Riverside's Chancellor Timothy White and athletic director Stan Morrison have started discussions with the campus long range planning committee to build an events center much like UC Irvine's Bren Events Center and CSU Fullerton's Titan gym.

The events center is being planned in order to improve student life and UCR athletics. It will stage events like commencement, convocation and concerts. On the athletic side, men's and women's basketball and volleyball will be staged. The proposed name of the events center is the "C" Center.

"The idea [of the events center] has been around for a long time because it would provide a venue for so many activities that would be enjoyed by students, faculty, staff and the Riverside community," Morrison said. "The idea is not original to UCR. Many other [college] campuses have similar facilities."

Morrison said that the events center could also hold an infinite amount of events for the community such as concerts of many genres of music, X-Games, community events, wrestling, the circus, gymnastics and hockey. The that the amount of events will be decided once the budget of the services of the events center is established.

Irvine's Bren Events Center had Kanye West perform in 2004 and held the 2008 NCAA Volleyball Championships. The Titan Gym hosted handball in the 1984 Olympics. Events like these could be held at the "C" Center.

As for Highlander athletics, the establishment of an events center would do wonders, especially in the recruiting department.

A prospected recruit would much rather play in a well established arena like UCLA's Polly Pavilion than the Student Recreation Center.

It would certainly also enhance the image of UCR athletics.

Highlander men's basketball head coach Jim Wooldridge said, "Facilities are a key component to having a good athletic program. It would take our athletics to a whole new level."

Continued...

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