PHOTO GALLERY
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University men's and women's lacrosse programs finally have a home to call their own and it comes in the form of the brand-new $1.8 million Jacksonville Lacrosse Center (JLC).
"This project wasn't about having the next great facility," Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert said. "This project was about a group of committed people in our community and within our lacrosse family who wanted to better the experience of our student-athletes. This facility is for our students. This facility is for our alums to come back to a place they can call home. This facility is about family. I want to sincerely thank everyone who was involved in making this project a reality."
The 8,600-sqaure-foot facility is the first and only Division I lacrosse-only facility in the nation. The building features 10 offices for coaches, assistants and staff, a conference room, state-of-the-art, theater style, film room, and men's & women's locker rooms along with two large outdoor patios.
"The JLC is a game and life changer or our program," head women's lacrosse coach Mindy McCord said. "Our players are in a place they can call home and it's the best place in the country. We get to see our players every day and interact with them in such a warm, intimate environment. We feel so much pride to be a Dolphin and reside in the JLC. For me this has been a 10-year dream come true and I am so thankful to all of the donors who made this a possibility. They saw the vision of this facility for lacrosse and made a huge commitment to making it happen. President Cost had a vision and commitment to see this through with Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert and the Board of Trustees. This is a game changer for recruiting and competing at the top level of Division I lacrosse and I couldn't be more proud. The McCord family is honored to be a part of the vision and now completion for the JLC and we are so excited for the dedication."
Stellar, a firm providing award-winning construction management at-risk, design-build and general contracting services for a range of commercial and public sector markets, completed construction of the JLC in December. The firm was the design-builder for the project, teaming with PQH Group for the design. Both programs moved in to the building shortly after its completion, just in times for both seasons to kick off in early February.
The facility was part of the expansive ASPIRE Campaign and was a parent-led effort. On Saturday, Feb. 16, all of the investors - parents, alumni, corporate partners, friends and fans alike will gather to celebrate the opening of the facility together at a dedication ceremony. The event is slated to begin at 10 a.m.
"Words can't express the appreciation we have for all of the folks that made this facility possible," head men's lacrosse coach John Galloway said. "What most won't understand outside of our programs is that this building is much more than just a place for our players to spend time. This facility symbolizes the vision that Paul and Mindy McCord had when they started the lacrosse programs, along with the vision President Cost and Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert had for lacrosse in the Jacksonville community. We are forever indebted to all of the people that stepped up both financially and passionately to make this dream a reality. When I first arrived on campus, this idea was nothing more than a conversation of possibility. We never wavered on our vision and now our young men and women get to walk into an elite facility every day that they can call home!"
The JLC is located adjacent to the north side of D.B. Milne field where both lacrosse teams play their home games. The women's lacrosse program, led by Mindy McCord, is the back-to-back reigning ASUN Conference Tournament champions and have played in four NCAA Tournaments. The men's program, led by the USA Lacrosse gold medalist John Galloway, has been a consistent presence near the top of the Southern Conference.
