STATESBORO — Hanner Fieldhouse’s first phase of renovations included a stand-alone practice facility for the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

These renovations are part of a three phase project. The gym in the back of the fieldhouse is converted into a dedicated basketball gym with the original floor of the Fieldhouse replaced by a regulation playing surface with three-quarter-inch wood. The surface has been repainted to better match the main playing field of Hanner. 

The Fieldhouse’s lights were also updated to match the main Hanner lights along with a new scoreboard and new shot clocks. New garnishing wall wraps have also been added to show off the brand of the facility and basketball programs.

Phase two will incorporate a standalone practice gym for the volleyball program along with a laboratories for applied kinesiology. 

The third phase of the project will include upgrades to the lower level of the main arena of the fieldhouse and upgrades to the front lobby to improve fan amenities and game day hospitality. This will also include a Hall of Fame in the fieldhouse. 

“This gym will benefit both our men’s and women’s basketball programs as they both now have a practice facility in addition to the Hanner main arena to improve their individual skills, and scheduling practices should be much easier with this new space,” Tom Kleinlein, the Director of Athletics, said.

Prior to these renovations, there were some issues with scheduling in available play areas, causing the basketball teams, volleyball, cheerleaders, and physical education classes to compete for schedule spots for practice locations. 

In total, the renovation project will cost GS $5 million. The first phase was primarily funded by a gift from Lynn and E.G. Meybohm of Augusta, Georgia. 

Tyler Miller, The George-Anne Daily Reporter, gaeditor@georgiasouthern.edu