Willett Hall

Willett Hall (originally Lancer Hall) is an academic facility and 1,807-seat multi-purpose arena in Farmville, Virginia. It was built in 1980 and is home to the Longwood University Lancers men's and women's basketball teams. On December 3, 2016, the basketball court was named after former Longwood basketball player Jerome Kersey, officially making the hardwood Jerome Kersey Court.[8]

Willett Hall
Willett Hall in January 2016.
Willett Hall
Location of Willett Hall in Virginia.
Former namesLancer Hall (1980–2004)[1]
LocationSpruce Street
Farmville, Virginia 23909
Coordinates37°17′52″N 78°23′45″W
OwnerLongwood University
OperatorLongwood University
Capacity2,522 (prior to 2007)[2]
1,807 (2007–present)[3]
Record attendance2,522 (11/13/2006 vs. VCU)[4]
Construction
OpenedOctober 25, 1980[5]
Construction cost$4.5 million
($14 million in 2019 dollars[6])
ArchitectMacIlroy & Parris (original)[5]
Little, Franck & Lohsen (facade)[7]
General contractorRomeo Guest Associates[5]
Tenants
Longwood Lancers (1980–present)
United States vice presidential debate (2016)

On October 4, 2016, Longwood was the host for the 2016 United States vice presidential debate.[9] Willett Hall was the venue for the debate. Prior to the debate, the building underwent a modest renovation to the front entrance and lobby in preparation.[7]

On April 10, 2019, Longwood announced a $15 million donation to begin construction of a new convocation and events center to replace Willett Hall as the venue for Lancer basketball. The arena will be named the Joan Perry Brock Center after its benefactor, cost $35-40 million, would seat between 2,500 and 3,000, and is scheduled to open in 2022.[10]

  • Main entrance of Willett Hall, prior to the 2016 update.
  • Main entrance following the renovations.
  • During pregame warmups.

See also

References
  1. "Longwood Names Three Buildings for Three Former Presidents" (Press release). Longwood University. July 8, 2004. Archived from the original on August 5, 2004.
  2. "Willett Hall". LongwoodLancers.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  3. "Willett Hall". LongwoodLancers.com. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  4. "Men's Basketball Falls To VCU 75-63 In Front Of Capacity Crowd (2,522)". 13 November 2006. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. Johnson, Joe (28 October 1980). "Lancer Hall Dedicated". The Rotunda. p. 11. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  6. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  7. Gregory, Italia (January 12, 2016). "Willett will see improvements before VP debate". The Farmville Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  8. Cook, Chris (November 25, 2016). "Longwood to Name Court in Honor of Jerome Kersey" (Press release). Longwood Lancers. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  9. "Commission On Presidential Debates announces sites and dates for 2016 general election debates" (Press release). Commission on Presidential Debates. September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  10. "Longwood announces largest gift in its history, $15 million from Joan Brock '64 for campus events center" (Press release). Longwood University. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.


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