In Cincinnati, Shannon Russell reports Xavier's Cintas Center is "undergoing a facelift, and the finished product will feature the Cincinnati skyline." Designs unveiled Thursday were inspired by "elements of fan submissions" in May. Xavier Associate AD/External Relations Brian Hicks said that the school received about "50 fan designs through social media and email, and the cityscape was a common theme." Work began on the court July 23 and is expected to be completed "before volleyball competition starts Aug. 29" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 8/1).
FIT FOR A QUEEN CITY: In Cincinnati, Bill Koch reports the Univ. of Cincinnati is investing $1.3M to build what it says will be "state-of-the-art locker room facilities for its men's basketball program." UC coach Mick Cronin said that the project will be paid for entirely with "private donations." Construction is "scheduled to begin in November," with completion set for March '15 (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 8/1).
REBEL WITH A CAUSE: Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork on Thursday announced that the school's new basketball arena, set to open in December '15, will be named "The Pavilion at Ole Miss." In Mississippi, Hugh Kellenberger notes Ole Miss has raised $112.5M, which "remains short" of the $150M goal for the facility. But Bjork acknowledged that securing a naming-rights sponsor for the arena will "go a long ways towards bridging" the $37.5M gap (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 8/1).
