Vanderbilt Athletics Dedicates Huber Center – Vanderbilt Commodores

Cutting-edge basketball operations center and practice facility embodies Vandy United’s ongoing promise to reimagine what is possible
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In one of the most significant milestones yet in the historic Vandy United campaign, Vanderbilt University today dedicated the Huber Center for men’s and women’s basketball. The cutting-edge operations center and practice facility was made possible by the generosity of Vanderbilt alumnus George B. Huber, BA’79, and his wife Cathy, together with more than 4,000 Vandy United donors.
One of the largest standalone facilities in the country, the Huber Center bolsters the proud history of Memorial Gymnasium with the championship training environment of the future.
“I’m so thankful to everyone in Commodore Nation who made the Huber Center possible—it truly was a dream team effort,” said Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “The Huber Center suits a university that dares to grow in so many ways, and it’s a facility worthy of the history and tradition of Vanderbilt men’s and women’s basketball. I can say with complete confidence that there is no better basketball facility in the nation. And I can’t wait to see the Memorial Magic our student-athletes are able to make thanks to this incredible investment.”
Friday’s dedication and open house celebrated the completion of one of Vandy United’s cornerstone projects. Guests heard remarks from Lee, Huber, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, women’s basketball head coach Shea Ralph and men’s basketball head coach Mark Byington.
“The values our coaches and student-athletes champion are values we hold dear at Vanderbilt: hard work and courage, continual growth, equal measures of challenge and support and selflessly coming together in pursuit of a greater common purpose,” Diermeier said. “In form and spirit, the Huber Center embodies our effort to build the great university of the 21st century—a place where the best and brightest will realize their full potential.”
Huber welcomed the opportunity to speak for the thousands who have made Vandy United a reality.
“Cathy and I are proud to be here today on behalf of the community that came together to make this facility possible,” Huber said. “Athletics are an essential part of a university’s identity—how it defines itself and how the world sees it. They inspire and unite us. Together with all of those who supported Vandy United and this project, we believe our basketball programs can embody the excellence that Vanderbilt strives for in everything it does. We’re excited to see Commodores come together to cheer what starts here.”
The four-story facility, which sits in the north end zone of FirstBank Stadium, has separate practice gyms for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Positioned in the heart of the Frist Athletics Village, it offers coaches, staff and student-athletes direct access to Memorial Gymnasium and a host of services and amenities designed to enhance the student-athlete experience.
“In everything we do here, starting with Chancellor Diermeier and Dr. Candice Storey Lee, you can see that there is a clear vision for the relentless commitment to maximizing our full potential as human beings,” Ralph said. “That allows me to create an opportunity that I don’t think our student-athletes could experience anywhere else. To George and Cathy Huber, thank you so much for all that you’ve contributed—not only in material but in heart and vision and for inspiring the community to do the same. What you have created for our student-athletes is a day-to-day representation of what it’s possible for them to achieve on and off the basketball court.”
“When I jump out of bed every morning, I can’t wait to get here,” Byington said. “We have absolutely everything here—the technology, the training. When you have a chance to walk around and you see the weight room, it’s the nicest weight room I’ve seen regardless of sport. With all these things, it’s just about taking care of our student-athletes in the best possible way. I can’t say enough about the generosity of the Huber family. The family’s name is on the building, but they’re more deeply invested than that. The way they care and they give, they show it in their actions in a lot of different ways.”
Both basketball teams began using the Huber Center earlier this season. Entering the weekend, they had a combined record of 31-8. Men’s basketball defeated No. 6 Tennessee last weekend and enters Saturday’s home game against Kentucky with a 15-4 record. Seeking back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament, women’s basketball is 16-4 and also defeated Tennessee last weekend.
A key initiative in the university’s Dare to Grow campaign, Vandy United has raised more than $350 million. The university continues work on major facilities and operational enhancements, including the Frist Athletics Village and ambitious renovations planned for Hawkins Field. Through the Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success and other efforts, the campaign has also funded scholarships and support programs to ensure that Vanderbilt student-athletes are poised for success on and off the field.

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