New coaches center opens

The University celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the new James T. Dunning Jr. Coaches Center. The James T. Dunning Jr. Coaches Center is now officially open for business. The newly renovated building -- previously known as the J. William White Training House -- will house the offices of all Penn athletic teams except football, squash, tennis and swimming. The former training facility and dining hall was renamed yesterday in honor of Dunning, a 1970 Wharton graduate who donated $2 million to the University in the spring of 1997. The dedication, which included speeches by University President Judith Rodin and Athletic Director Steve Bilsky, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Dunning and several other smaller donors. "I really wanted to make a significant contribution to Penn," Dunning said. "This makes a statement to Penn athletes of the past, present and future." The move was made necessary by the lack of office space that plagued several of Penn's teams. "As our program expanded, the coaches have been put in a situation where it was really cramped," Bilsky said. "It no longer became a professional situation." The concentration of offices of different teams within the new facility will serve to bring these teams closer together, Bilsky said. Previously, the offices of several teams had been scattered between Hutchinson Gymnasium and Weightman Hall. "It is clear that the facility has brought the coaches in satellite areas into one area and will foster camaraderie," wrestling coach Roger Reina said. Dunning, who played baseball and hockey at Penn, hopes the upgraded facility will help enhance the University's image in the eyes of recruits. "We needed to have a product to be able to compete with Princeton and the other Ivy league teams," Dunning said. "Now the first impression of athletes touring Penn will be this building." Valerie Cloud, the coach of the field hockey team, also feels the building will attract prospective Penn athletes. "It's a very impressive place for coaches to meet with athletes," she said. "There's a lot of space and it's a really nice setting." The renovation was described by officials as a true team effort between the donors and the University. "We were able to work with each other to enhance and increase the luster of Penn athletics," Rodin said. Bilsky also recognized the contributions of 11 smaller donors to the renovations of individual team suites and offices of the "T-House." In a short speech, Rodin thanked everyone involved for their cooperation. "We are a very grateful University and we are really high on Penn athletics," Rodin said. The night belonged to Dunning, however, as the publishing mogul gave a brief but touching speech. "It gives me great pleasure to have had business success and to give back to places that were special in my life," he said. Dunning also claimed that success in athletics can translate into similar achievements in all walks of life. "The values that can be learned through team sports in a competitive environment can be redirected and used all over again," he said. Dunning also hinted as to his next possible donation to the University. Referring to the lack of a varsity ice hockey team, he said "when it's appropriate, I'd like to see hockey come back to Penn." The dedication was attended by several prominent Penn alumni, including Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. The Dunning Center is located at 231 S. 33rd Street, adjacent to Franklin Field.