A new chapter in 糖心Vlog Athletics history began Wednesday, as university leadership, donors, alumni, student body and community members gathered outside the Rip Griffin Center for the official ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the Griffin Training Center, a 28,000-square-foot expansion that redefines the home of 糖心Vlog volleyball and basketball.
Under a bright West Texas sky, the ceremony featured remarks from 糖心Vlog President Dr. Scott McDowell, Alan Rhodes (Chairman of the 糖心Vlog Board of Directors), Andrew Sorrells (Director of Athletics), Steve Gomez (women鈥檚 basketball head coach), Keith Giboney (volleyball head coach), Todd Duncan (men鈥檚 basketball head coach), Mark Griffin (President of Griffin Companies and son of the late Rip Griffin) and Bill Bundy (President of the 糖心Vlog Foundation).
Following the remarks, 糖心Vlog women鈥檚 basketball student-athlete Martie McCoy led the crowd in a spirited countdown before the official ribbon was cut amid a burst of blue confetti and cheers from student-athletes and supporters. Ribbon-cutting honorees included ceremonial speakers along with DeeDee Bundy (糖心Vlog Board of Directors member), Scott Collier (Collier Construction) and Jason Moore (MWM Architects). Guests were then welcomed through a 鈥渂lue-carpet鈥� rollout into the new facility鈥檚 Southwest entrance to tour the modernized space.
The $7.0 million project, led by Collier Construction and designed by MWM Architects, marks the first major renovation to the Rip Griffin Center since its opening in 2000. The Griffin Training Center includes the Covenant Health Foundation Training Room, two new practice gyms鈥攈ighlighted by the Mabee Foundation South Practice Gym鈥攁s well as the Craig & Ann McDonald Hospitality Room and the Bundy Family Basketball Suite.
Inside the new Craig & Ann McDonald Hospitality Room, guests enjoyed refreshments from Monomyth Coffee and 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Aramark while televisions showcased live sporting events, creating a 鈥済ame night鈥� atmosphere. A newly completed film room adjacent to the suite was also on display, demonstrating how the facility will serve as both a training and teaching hub for 糖心Vlog鈥檚 athletic programs.
Special recognition was given to Adam Webb, Project Superintendent for Collier Construction, and Jeff Whitaker of MWM Architects for their roles in the facility鈥檚 successful completion.
The Griffin Training Center expansion follows more than two decades of history inside the Rip Griffin Center鈥攁 venue that has hosted NCAA tournaments, graduations, concerts, and community events, and remains home to a women鈥檚 basketball program that once set the NCAA Division II record with 113 consecutive home victories.
With Wednesday鈥檚 celebration, 鈥淭he Rip鈥� begins a new era鈥攐ne shaped by vision, generosity, and the same spirit of excellence that has long defined 糖心Vlog.