Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan to Rename Arena in Honor of George Gervin
12/11/2021 2:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, General
Home to EMU Athletics since 1998, the building is now the George Gervin GameAbove Center
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Home to "The Iceman" has a whole new meaning on the Eastern Michigan University campus. The George Gervin GameAbove Center is the new name of the school's on-campus arena in honor of former student-athlete and NBA Legend George Gervin. The University announced the renaming Saturday, Dec. 11, as a part of a halftime ceremony during the men's basketball game versus Florida International.
The change was made possible through a generous commitment by GameAbove. GameAbove committed an additional $2.7 million to EMU Athletics to improve the facility's technology infrastructure and enhance the student-athlete and visitor experience, including upgrades to athletic training facilities, team meeting rooms, visitor suites, and the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame. GameAbove and its members have committed more than $25 million to EMU to support students, faculty, staff, and the Ypsilanti community.
GameAbove is a team of passionate Eastern Michigan alumni who desire to make a difference for all of EMU and the Ypsilanti community, and has made unprecedented contributions to support Eastern students and faculty.
The team includes a diverse group of individuals of various ages and backgrounds, including accomplished entrepreneurs, business people, Hall of Famers and select EMU coaches, all of whom are EMU graduates. The group has been laser-focused on supporting the University and its students and faculty. Gervin happens to also be a member.
The group's partnership with the University and its philanthropy are far-reaching, including gifts for faculty support, broad student support and athletics. GameAbove members view themselves as highly committed partners in the success of the University and, through their philanthropy, they seek to powerfully inspire other friends, and alumni to give.
"We are excited to put George's name on this building," said EMU President Dr. James M. Smith. "George personifies the kinds of traits all successful people show-resilience, bravery, kindness and vision to make our world a better place. These traits are the cornerstones of our partnership with GameAbove. They continue to provide the vision to help move our university forward."
Previously known as the Convocation Center, the building is in its 24th season as the crown jewel of EMU athletics. It opened up a new era of excitement on the west campus of EMU in the fall of 1998. The state-of-the-art, $29-million facility was the result of a decade-long effort to improve and upgrade university facilities.
Construction of the building began in the spring of 1997 and culminated with its dedication game, Dec. 9, 1998, with a men's basketball game against the University of Michigan in front of a crowd of 7,647.
Since its opening, the 204,316-square-foot facility has served as home court for the men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics teams. Along with its commitment to EMU Athletics, Eastern Michigan has brought some of the finest entertainers and community events to Ypsilanti.
"We are incredibly proud to place George's name on our arena," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "George inspired millions with his approach to the game of basketball as well as his generosity off the court. Not only is he one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, but he's a champion for our University and an even better person. I also cannot thank GameAbove enough for their tremendous support and commitment to our department and our vision to provide a world-class experience."
Gervin, who attended Eastern Michigan in 1970-72, is regarded as one of the university's all-time best basketball players and greatest athletes. He helped lead the then-Hurons to the 1972 NCAA College Division Final Four. Gervin's performance was outstanding during his two-year career at EMU, collecting several divisional and national accolades. EMU retired his No. 24 jersey at a special ceremony on Jan. 17, 1986, the first men's basketball jersey retired in school history.
After EMU, Gervin went on to star in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), setting scoring records and winning four scoring titles. During his NBA tenure with the San Antonio Spurs, he became a nine-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA First Team selection, and two-time All-NBA Second Team selection. Gervin is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was named one of the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Nicknamed "The Iceman" for his cool demeanor on the court, Gervin was known for his scoring talents. He had also received the nickname because of his rare ability to play the game of basketball at a high level without sweating.
Gervin turned the finger roll into a nearly unstoppable weapon when he led the NBA in scoring between 1978 and 1980. The finger roll is notorious for being very difficult to master, and few players use it as their primary shot.
Gervin remains active in the San Antonio community with his seven organizations explicitly designed for underprivileged kids, including the George Gervin Prep Academy and George Gervin Youth Center. He is also currently the head coach of the BIG3 Ghost Ballers.
Recently announced, Gervin will be the subject of a currently untitled documentary directed by One9 and produced by MSM, alongside GameAbove and its subsidiary Front Runner Films. Mike Tollin, the producer of The Last Dance, will be heading the production as well.
About GameAbove
GameAbove at EMU's primary focus is to help shape, inspire and support the current and future students of Eastern Michigan University by reaching new heights in learning through transformation and inspiration in the educational experience. The GameAbove family of organizations will also help improve the higher education experience by exploring and supporting innovative financial models to sustain universities, creative giving within the community, enhancing the campus environment, elevating athletics, and promoting pioneering academic programs. For more information, visit gameabove.com.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit emich.edu.
The change was made possible through a generous commitment by GameAbove. GameAbove committed an additional $2.7 million to EMU Athletics to improve the facility's technology infrastructure and enhance the student-athlete and visitor experience, including upgrades to athletic training facilities, team meeting rooms, visitor suites, and the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame. GameAbove and its members have committed more than $25 million to EMU to support students, faculty, staff, and the Ypsilanti community.
GameAbove is a team of passionate Eastern Michigan alumni who desire to make a difference for all of EMU and the Ypsilanti community, and has made unprecedented contributions to support Eastern students and faculty.
The team includes a diverse group of individuals of various ages and backgrounds, including accomplished entrepreneurs, business people, Hall of Famers and select EMU coaches, all of whom are EMU graduates. The group has been laser-focused on supporting the University and its students and faculty. Gervin happens to also be a member.
The group's partnership with the University and its philanthropy are far-reaching, including gifts for faculty support, broad student support and athletics. GameAbove members view themselves as highly committed partners in the success of the University and, through their philanthropy, they seek to powerfully inspire other friends, and alumni to give.
"We are excited to put George's name on this building," said EMU President Dr. James M. Smith. "George personifies the kinds of traits all successful people show-resilience, bravery, kindness and vision to make our world a better place. These traits are the cornerstones of our partnership with GameAbove. They continue to provide the vision to help move our university forward."
Previously known as the Convocation Center, the building is in its 24th season as the crown jewel of EMU athletics. It opened up a new era of excitement on the west campus of EMU in the fall of 1998. The state-of-the-art, $29-million facility was the result of a decade-long effort to improve and upgrade university facilities.
Construction of the building began in the spring of 1997 and culminated with its dedication game, Dec. 9, 1998, with a men's basketball game against the University of Michigan in front of a crowd of 7,647.
Since its opening, the 204,316-square-foot facility has served as home court for the men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics teams. Along with its commitment to EMU Athletics, Eastern Michigan has brought some of the finest entertainers and community events to Ypsilanti.
"We are incredibly proud to place George's name on our arena," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "George inspired millions with his approach to the game of basketball as well as his generosity off the court. Not only is he one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, but he's a champion for our University and an even better person. I also cannot thank GameAbove enough for their tremendous support and commitment to our department and our vision to provide a world-class experience."
Gervin, who attended Eastern Michigan in 1970-72, is regarded as one of the university's all-time best basketball players and greatest athletes. He helped lead the then-Hurons to the 1972 NCAA College Division Final Four. Gervin's performance was outstanding during his two-year career at EMU, collecting several divisional and national accolades. EMU retired his No. 24 jersey at a special ceremony on Jan. 17, 1986, the first men's basketball jersey retired in school history.
After EMU, Gervin went on to star in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), setting scoring records and winning four scoring titles. During his NBA tenure with the San Antonio Spurs, he became a nine-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA First Team selection, and two-time All-NBA Second Team selection. Gervin is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was named one of the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Nicknamed "The Iceman" for his cool demeanor on the court, Gervin was known for his scoring talents. He had also received the nickname because of his rare ability to play the game of basketball at a high level without sweating.
Gervin turned the finger roll into a nearly unstoppable weapon when he led the NBA in scoring between 1978 and 1980. The finger roll is notorious for being very difficult to master, and few players use it as their primary shot.
Gervin remains active in the San Antonio community with his seven organizations explicitly designed for underprivileged kids, including the George Gervin Prep Academy and George Gervin Youth Center. He is also currently the head coach of the BIG3 Ghost Ballers.
Recently announced, Gervin will be the subject of a currently untitled documentary directed by One9 and produced by MSM, alongside GameAbove and its subsidiary Front Runner Films. Mike Tollin, the producer of The Last Dance, will be heading the production as well.
About GameAbove
GameAbove at EMU's primary focus is to help shape, inspire and support the current and future students of Eastern Michigan University by reaching new heights in learning through transformation and inspiration in the educational experience. The GameAbove family of organizations will also help improve the higher education experience by exploring and supporting innovative financial models to sustain universities, creative giving within the community, enhancing the campus environment, elevating athletics, and promoting pioneering academic programs. For more information, visit gameabove.com.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit emich.edu.
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