Georgia Southern University is celebrating a monumental addition to its campus and the Statesboro community with the grand opening of the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center. This state-of-the-art venue, designed to host a wide range of events—from concerts and conferences to sports events and graduation ceremonies—is poised to become a central hub for engagement and entertainment in the region.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured several distinguished speakers, including:

• Kyle Marrero, President, Georgia Southern University
• Everett Kennedy, Regent
• Speaker Jon Burns, Georgia House of Representatives
• Senator Blake Tillery, Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee
• Lance Hill, Son of Jack and Ruth Ann Hill
• Chris Davis, Athletic Director, Georgia Southern University

The speakers spoke fondly of the late Jack Hill, remembering him not only as a former State Senator but also as a friend and mentor to many in attendance.

President Kyle Marrero opened the ceremony by announcing the official nickname of the new center: “The Hill.”

“‘The Hill’ will host our graduation ceremonies, convocations, special events, and, of course, Georgia Southern men’s and women’s basketball,” Marrero said. “But it is more than just a building. It’s a place of opportunity. Inside The Hill, our students will learn, our athletes will compete, and our community will come together. Every inch of this facility is designed with our future in mind.”

The 95,000-square-foot facility, located at the intersection of Lanier Drive and Veterans Memorial Parkway (Highway 301 bypass), will serve as a central hub for athletic, student, and community events in Statesboro.

Senator Blake Tillery also shared his memories of Jack Hill: “What I learned about Jack is that, while he cared deeply about the communities and the legacy of Georgia Southern, he also cared about the people. He didn’t care about the projects.”

During the ceremony, new Athletic Director Chris Davis showcased several promotional videos, including a tribute to Jack Hill displayed on the state-of-the-art monitor in the new arena. He also highlighted the various features of the arena, offering guests a glimpse of its modern amenities.

The center is home to the men’s and women’s basketball programs and includes a variety of facilities, such as coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a laundry and training room, an equipment room, strength and conditioning areas, a fueling station, a media room, a visiting team locker room, and a media green room.

The building also houses the new Hall of Fame for Eagle Athletics in its concourse. With a seating capacity of over 5,500, the arena serves as the new home court for Georgia Southern Eagles NCAA basketball which offers a 50% increase in seating capacity compared to Hanner Fieldhouse.

Lance Hill, the youngest child and only son of Jack and Ruth Ann Hill, spoke on behalf of the Hill family. “I want to thank Georgia Southern for hosting us. Our family cannot fully express how thankful we are.”

Hill also shared memories of his late father, reflecting on the notes Jack Hill left in his college graduation program (Lance himself graduated from Georgia Southern in 1999). “On days when things are harder for me, I like to look at that program and think about what my dad wrote,” he shared. “He wrote about leadership, sacrifice, and knowledge. One of the most touching things was his belief in service—he believed we are here to serve others and be a part of something bigger, for the greater good.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, all the guest speakers, along with several recognized guests, gathered to cut the ribbon, officially marking the opening of the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center.

“Today, we also celebrate the extraordinary legacy of the late Senator Jack Hill and his wife, Ruth Ann, for whom this signature building on South Campus is named,” Marrero said. “Both proud graduates of Georgia Southern, Ruth Ann was a Triple Eagle. You cannot look around the campus of Georgia Southern without seeing Jack’s influence on this institution. It is only fitting that the marquee building of Georgia Southern, serving as the first university landmark many will encounter as they approach town and campus, bears the name of Jack and Ruth Ann Hill.”

Tomorrow, the Women’s Basketball team will play the first game in ‘The Hill’ against Jacksonville University at 6 p.m. The Men’s Basketball team will play their first game in ‘The Hill’ on Saturday against North Florida at 7 p.m.