GW Athletics Unveils Athletic Facility Enhancements for 2024-25
7/11/2024 3:26:00 PM | General, Men's Basketball, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball
WASHINGTON -Â George Washington Athletics, in its continuing effort to unite and inspire the greater GW community, announced a new Facilities Master Plan and series of upgrades coming to both the Charles E. Smith Center and the Mount Vernon Campus this upcoming academic year.
"Our student-athletes and coaches continue to work to build sport programs that are a source of tremendous pride for all of our GW constituents," Director of Athletics Tanya Vogel said. "These investments, including the Athletics Facilities Master planning process, will improve the experience for all of our student-athletes, alumni, families, fans and donors."
The University has engaged with HOK to develop a long-term Athletics Facilities Master Plan to more strategically identify how GW Athletics will move forward with future projects. This work will enhance the holistic student-athlete experience by improving the facilities where they work to achieve high levels of academic and athletics excellence all while developing the necessary skills to positively impact the world upon graduation.
The improvements continue a long line of fan-first renovations to Smith Center, which will celebrate its 50th year as the hub of GW Athletics during the 2024-25 season. Within the last five years, Smith Center has seen the installation of a new center-hung video board, new lights, upgraded fan seating, refurbishment of club spaces and numerous other face lifts behind-the-scenes.
Now this summer, Smith Center will undergo additional renovations that feature an enhanced audio and visual display for fans to enjoy as well as an improved concession experience via Amazon "Just Walk Out".
12 New Video Displays
Fans will notice an immediate change when entering Smith Center this year thanks to 12 new and enhanced Daktronics video displays throughout the arena with clearer resolution and the latest technology. Four auxiliary boards will be installed at court level in each corner of the arena, replacing the current two boards with larger and higher quality screens. The two ribbon boards along the baselines will also be replaced and updated to modern standards.
Additionally, five new scorer's tables will replace the existing model between the team benches and a new single scorer's table will be placed between the courtside seats on the opposite side, providing visibility to those on the student section side of the arena.
Upgraded Sound System
The audio experience will also undergo a full transformation to provide top-notch sound throughout the arena, including in both the Champions and Tin Tabernacle Clubs. All areas of the seating bowl will hear a drastic improvement in sound range on both the high and low end as well as a noted boost in the quality and clarity of the audio experience.
Amazon "Just Walk Out" Concessions
GW will also install three Amazon "Just Walk Out" locations on the Smith Center concourse, allowing fans to identify, pay, and skip the checkout line, making the shopping experience measurably better. To enter the store, fans can use the Amazon shopping app, Amazon One, a credit or debit card, or a mobile wallet app. When fans are done shopping, they can exit the store and the system will automatically charge their payment method for the items they took with them. The charges can be applied to the payment method saved to their Amazon account or their credit card. Fans will also receive a receipt sent directly to their app.
Mount Vernon Campus Softball Field Upgrades
In addition to the enhancements at Smith Center, the GW Softball Field at the Mount Vernon Campus has undergone a massive facelift this offseason. Most notable is the installation of lights at the facility that will provide increased flexibility in game times and the ability to host night games for the first time in program history. The entire outfield wall will also be replaced prior to the start of the fall semester as new padding will be installed with player safety in mind at the forefront of the project.
"Our student-athletes and coaches continue to work to build sport programs that are a source of tremendous pride for all of our GW constituents," Director of Athletics Tanya Vogel said. "These investments, including the Athletics Facilities Master planning process, will improve the experience for all of our student-athletes, alumni, families, fans and donors."
The University has engaged with HOK to develop a long-term Athletics Facilities Master Plan to more strategically identify how GW Athletics will move forward with future projects. This work will enhance the holistic student-athlete experience by improving the facilities where they work to achieve high levels of academic and athletics excellence all while developing the necessary skills to positively impact the world upon graduation.
The improvements continue a long line of fan-first renovations to Smith Center, which will celebrate its 50th year as the hub of GW Athletics during the 2024-25 season. Within the last five years, Smith Center has seen the installation of a new center-hung video board, new lights, upgraded fan seating, refurbishment of club spaces and numerous other face lifts behind-the-scenes.
Now this summer, Smith Center will undergo additional renovations that feature an enhanced audio and visual display for fans to enjoy as well as an improved concession experience via Amazon "Just Walk Out".
12 New Video Displays
Fans will notice an immediate change when entering Smith Center this year thanks to 12 new and enhanced Daktronics video displays throughout the arena with clearer resolution and the latest technology. Four auxiliary boards will be installed at court level in each corner of the arena, replacing the current two boards with larger and higher quality screens. The two ribbon boards along the baselines will also be replaced and updated to modern standards.
Additionally, five new scorer's tables will replace the existing model between the team benches and a new single scorer's table will be placed between the courtside seats on the opposite side, providing visibility to those on the student section side of the arena.
Upgraded Sound System
The audio experience will also undergo a full transformation to provide top-notch sound throughout the arena, including in both the Champions and Tin Tabernacle Clubs. All areas of the seating bowl will hear a drastic improvement in sound range on both the high and low end as well as a noted boost in the quality and clarity of the audio experience.
Amazon "Just Walk Out" Concessions
GW will also install three Amazon "Just Walk Out" locations on the Smith Center concourse, allowing fans to identify, pay, and skip the checkout line, making the shopping experience measurably better. To enter the store, fans can use the Amazon shopping app, Amazon One, a credit or debit card, or a mobile wallet app. When fans are done shopping, they can exit the store and the system will automatically charge their payment method for the items they took with them. The charges can be applied to the payment method saved to their Amazon account or their credit card. Fans will also receive a receipt sent directly to their app.
Mount Vernon Campus Softball Field Upgrades
In addition to the enhancements at Smith Center, the GW Softball Field at the Mount Vernon Campus has undergone a massive facelift this offseason. Most notable is the installation of lights at the facility that will provide increased flexibility in game times and the ability to host night games for the first time in program history. The entire outfield wall will also be replaced prior to the start of the fall semester as new padding will be installed with player safety in mind at the forefront of the project.
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