In celebration of the opening of the newly renovated Convocation Center (The Convo), the Duke Club hosted an exclusive behind the-scenes-tour of the facility for JMU Athletics Proud and True Fund donors on Friday, November 11.

The event included a guided tour of the transformation of The Convo – originally built in 1982 as the home of men's and women's basketball – and featured views into the student-athlete experience in state-of-the-art academic, conditioning, weight training, and game day spaces.

With renovation beginning in spring 2022 and concluding in summer 2023, The Convo now serves as the new for home for JMU volleyball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, track and field, and cross country. Learn more about the official reopening of The Convo in fall 2023. 

"You have all made unbelievable contributions to our student-athletes and coaches," said Scooter Renkin, JMU associate athletic director for development. "This is the fruits of your labor with this beautiful facility, as well as the other great facilities we have here on campus, and the scholarships you provide for our student-athletes."

JMU student-athletes, alumni, coaches, and donors have shared in the excitement of the transformation of The Convo. Enhancing the student-athlete experience of more than 200 Dukes, The Convo now also provides boundless opportunities for JMU Athletics supporters to create a lasting legacy through naming opportunities – spanning from the name of the building itself to countless opportunities within the facility.

"This is an unbelievable facility for seven programs," said Renkin. "That this facility provides a communal space to train, to receive treatment, to focus on nutrition – you can't beat it as a student-athlete. It has created such a positive change to the way our student-athletes and coaches operate and is really special."

While honoring and appreciating the 40 years of history and countless memories held within the walls of The Convo, the Duke Club is proud to provide donors with opportunities to usher in in the next 40 years and make their impact on the history and memories to come. Explore the Convocation Center Naming Opportunities viewbook to learn more about how you can create your lasting legacy and impact. 

The Convo Tour event was one of a series of exclusive events for Duke Club Crown, Royal, and Scholarship-level members who are Proud and True Fund donors supporting JMU Athletics annually with gifts of $5,000 or more.

View photos from the Duke Club Behind-the-Scenes Convo Tour.

A number of opportunities are available for JMU Athletics supporters to make their philanthropic impact on the JMU student-athlete experience. Explore JMUDukeClub.com to learn how you can make your gift today. For more information about naming opportunities, or to join one of the JMU Athletics exclusive donor membership groups, please contact the Duke Club at (540) 568-5173.