In today’s highly competive world of college basketball recruiting the buzz word seems to be “practice facility”. That’s no different at Tennessee as both Pat Summit and Bruce Pearl have been pushing for the construction of an on campus facility.
Pearl has joked that he is confident that it will get done because “Pat wants it”. Don’t let coach Pearl fool you, he is trying to sell the idea because he knows how important it is for the national image of the program. You have to keep up with the Joneses.
Tennessee plans to break ground on the $15 million dollar project in August of this year and thanks to the recent generous donation from alumnus Larry F. Pratt, the project should be fully funded when construction starts. Athletic Director Mike Hamilton has announced that, pending approval from the UT Board of Trustees in June, the building will be forever called “Pratt Basketball Practice Pavilion.”
I know that most fans realize the importance of such a donation but many are outraged that the new practice building will not be named after a player or coach. More specifically, many believe that it should be named after former Vols coach Ray Mears. However, an interesting idea has emerged that the new basketball complex of Thompson Boling Arena and Pratt Basketball Practice Pavilion be collectively named the Ray Mears Basketball Complex.
Do you think this would be a good idea? Share your thoughts and comments: HERE