The goal for any college basketball program is making the NCAA tournament. The Bulls watched their most successful season in eight years fall as they lost to the Georgetown Hoyas in the second round of the Big East tournament last March.
Their dream of making the NCAA tournament was over; however, with a strong regular season the Bulls were invited to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT).
“It was nice to make the NIT, but there’s nothing like being selected to play in the NCAA tournament,” said former USF player, Ryan Kardok.
To compete with the best basketball programs, USF understands they need the most up-to-date facilities for recruiting and player development.
After the season, Doug Woolard, the school’s athletic director, announced that Pam and Les Muma were donating a lead gift of $3 million for construction of the new basketball facility, which will be connected to the USF Sun Dome. In all, the Muma Center costs $11 million.
Pam and Les Muma aim at giving back to children and health situations, but Les Muma wanted a new basketball facility.
According to the school’s athletic website, Les Muma always had a passion for basketball. This was out of his normal realm of giving, but Les Muma spent a lot of time begging his wife for the money to contribute to the new facility.
Barring any delays, the Pam and Les Muma Basketball Center will be completed May 2011.
Barry Clements, the senior associate director of athletics said the 50,000 square foot center will feature two practice courts, player locker rooms and lounges, two video theaters, separate athletic training rooms, weight rooms, coaches’ offices, locker rooms and conference rooms.
The Big East Conference year in and year is considered the best conference in college basketball. Eight teams in the Big East made the NCAA tournament last season, an NCAA record for any conference.
“To compete with the best, you have to have the best facilities,” said Reggie Hanson, an assistant coach. “The Muma Center will be a good recruiting tool to get some of the best high school players in the country.”
Currently, the team shares the Sun Dome with volleyball and women’s basketball for practice. Sometimes the men have to practice in the recreation center when the Sun Dome is being used.
“This addition will affect the basketball program tremendously,” Clements said. “Our players will have access to a state-of-the-art facility that will help them succeed on the court as well as in the classroom.”
In the Muma Center, the players will have 24-hour access where they can spend time and work on their basketball skills.
“At a recruiting standpoint, the Muma Center will pass the eye test for recruits,” said Andy Hipsher, the director of basketball operations. “Also, this is going to be a place that our players will be able to call home.”
Recruiting in the Big East is difficult, but many believe having facilities that will match opposing schools is imperative if USF wants to be successful.
“I’ve seen several collegiate basketball facilities in the country, and from first-hand experience this is going to be one of the best athletic facilities out there,” Clements said.
Last season, the Bulls reached 20 wins for the third time in school history. They also won nine games in the conference, more than doubling the previous year’s mark of four.
“With the addition of this facility, and the talent level of recruits increasing year after year, and some of the best coaching staffs in the country, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be consistently competing in the NCAA tournament in the next five years,” Clements said.
Story by Cody Wilson
Photos by Amanda Stone
Edited by Arefa Ahmad
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