June 16, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - GALLERY

Swisher Gymnasium, the home of the JU men's and women's basketball as well as volleyball programs, is getting a facelift over the summer that will add some new features.

The playing surface is being redone, with a new lighting system installed to brighten the court area. Topping it off will be a new color scheme and sound system.

"The renovation to Swisher Gymnasium gives our teams added areas that we have not had before while sprucing up the look of the court," said JU director of athletics Alan Verlander. "We have a lot of major plans for our facilities in the future and this is the first step in that process."

Underneath the playing surface there is a lot of work being done as well. The locker rooms for all three teams are being restructured, with a new team lounge for those student-athletes to use. There will also be a computer lab in the team lounge area for the student-athletes to have a quiet place to study.

"The changes to Swisher are a great addition for our program," said JU women's basketball coach Jill Dunn. "The changes to playing surface will transform the court area and the new team lounge gives our student-athletes a place to relax during the hectic times of the season."