Willett Hall

Willett Hall (originally Lancer Hall) is an academic facility and previously served as a 1,807-seat multi-purpose arena in Farmville, Virginia. It was built in 1980 and was home to the Longwood University Lancers men's and women's basketball teams until 2023. 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 names	Lancer Hall (1980–2004)[1]
Location	Spruce Street Farmville, Virginia 23909
Coordinates	37.2975°N 78.3955°W / 37.2975; -78.3955
Owner	Longwood University
Operator	Longwood University
Capacity	2,522 (prior to 2007)[2] 1,807 (2007–2023)[3]
Record attendance	2,522 (11/13/2006 vs. VCU)[4]
Construction
Opened	October 25, 1980[5]
Construction cost	$4.5 million ($16.6 million in 2023 dollars[6])
Architect	MacIlroy & Parris (original)[5] Little, Franck & Lohsen (facade)[7]
General contractor	Romeo Guest Associates[5]
Tenants
Longwood Lancers (1980–2023) 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 3,000, and is scheduled to open in 2023.^[10][11] Willett Hall will remain in use as an academic facility, and provide support to the basketball teams as a practice and training venue.^[12]

Gallery

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

See also

• List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas

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. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
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.
11. "Joan Perry Brock Center". Longwood University. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
12. "Swan Song" (Press release). Longwood Lancers. February 24, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.

Preceded by French Gymnasium	Home of the Longwood Lancers men's basketball 1980–2023	Succeeded by Joan Perry Brock Center
Preceded by French Gymnasium	Home of the Longwood Lancers women's basketball 1980–2023	Succeeded by Joan Perry Brock Center