The women and men's
basketball teams would like to invite the Union College Community to the
dedication of the Viniar Athletic Center this Saturday, January 15.
The afternoon will begin at 2 p.m. when the Dutchwomen
take on Liberty League rival Vassar.
Dave Viniar, Class of 1976, will be recognized by President Hull for his
tremendous gift to Union College at 3:30.
The festivities will continue at 4 p.m. with the Dutchmen meeting
Vassar.
A “Dedication Collectable” will be given out to
the first 500 people through the door.
Come on out and support your
men and women's basketball teams while at the same time taking the time to say
“thank you” to an alum whose gift has made Union College a better
place. If you haven't yet seen this
beautiful facility this would be a great opportunity.
A new era in Union's proud basketball history began the
weekend of November 28 and 29 when the women and men's teams moved from
Memorial Field House to the brand new Viniar Sports Complex. The $3.2 million facility will be dedicated
this Saturday, January 15, as Union looks to thank David Viniar, Class
of 1976, and his family for their
tremendous donation.
“The players and coaches have
quickly assimilated into, and have assumed ownership of our new home,” said
men's head coach Bob Montana. “For the first time in my 22 seasons
associated with men's basketball at Union I feel we finally have a facility
that is built with basketball as a priority. I cannot offer enough thanks to
David Viniar and his family for the support they have shown men's basketball at
Union College with the gift of this facility.
“We will continue to work hard to attract quality
student-athletes to Union College that will represent our basketball program,
alumni, and the institution in a quality manner on and off the court,” he
continued. “We now have a facility that will be a positive resource in the very
competitive arena of college basketball recruiting. As a former Union
basketball player, Dave understands the challenges of recruiting college basketball
players today, and he and his family have stepped forward in a very big way to
support our efforts.”
The first phase of the construction, which began in
September of 2004, was to cut down the trees that were located on the field
house side of the Whipple Bridge. The multi-use Center includes a wood-floored
game court with spectator seating for 1,000. It is located on the southeast of
Memorial Field House with connections to the field house's locker rooms and
equipment facilities. The new facility is being used for practices, games, and
intramurals. It has relieved congestion in Memorial Field House, the practice
site for a number of winter and spring teams.
Head women's coach Mary
Ellen Burt and her Dutchwomen, who
opened the facility on November 28 with a 52-41 victory over Williams, are
equally excited about playing in the Viniar.
“Words
simply can not describe the level of energy and excitement we feel every time
we take the court,” Burt explained. “The tingling sense of pride and the
adrenaline rush that each and everyone of us feels is something that truly has
to be experienced. Many of the parents have come up to me after a practice or a
scrimmage and talked about feeling the same kind of sensation. Everyone
associated with the women's team owes a great deal of thanks to Dave Viniar and
his family because this would not have been possible without their generous
gift.”
The day's celebration will
begin at 11 a.m. with the annual men's alumni game. A private luncheon
and recognition ceremony will take place at 12:30 and be followed by the
Dutchwomen's Liberty League game against Vassar at 2. Dedication of the Viniar Athletic Center will be held on the
court at roughly 3:30 before the Dutchmen take on Vassar at 4.
David Viniar graduated summa cum
laude from Union College in 1976 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics.
He was a member of Union's varsity basketball team, which in 1974-75, compiled
a 20-4 record and captured the Eastern College Athletic Conference's Upstate
New York championship. He serves today as a member of the Board of Trustees of
the College.
After Union, Mr. Viniar went on
to graduate school at Harvard University, where he received his Master's in
Business Administration in 1980. Upon graduation, David joined the investment
banking firm of Goldman Sachs & Co., where he became a partner in 1992 and
Chief Financial Officer in 1999.
An active alumnus, he has
volunteered with the Career Development Center, served as admissions
representative, and participated as a member of Friends of Union Athletics. In
1997, he established the Leo and Evelyn Viniar Scholarship at Union in honor of
his parents.
“Through the generosity of David Viniar and his family, Union College now
has a facility, which was long overdue, that will be commensurate with the
level of our men's and women's basketball programs,” said President Hull.
“We are grateful that David chose to honor his own experiences as an
exceptional student-athlete this way.”