Radford Athletics 10/23/2024 1:30:00 PM

Radford Athletics Unveils Enhancements to the Dedmon Center for 2024-25 Season

RADFORD, Va. – The Dedmon Center, where the Radford Athletics men's basketball, women's basketball, and volleyball programs call home, is undergoing extensive improvements in preparation for the 2024-25 season spearheaded by a lead gift from Faye Marcum '71. The projected completion date for these enhancements is November 1st. The updates include new, larger video boards, scoreboards, shot clocks, a state-of-the-art sound system, LED color-changing lights, an upgraded competition court, and a revamped volleyball practice floor.

The upcoming season at the Dedmon Center arena will feature new, larger video boards at each end. These state-of-the-art videoboards are provided by Fair-Play, a renowned company with a strong track record of installing videoboards for numerous teams across the country, including NBA teams, 50 Division I schools, and several minor league baseball parks. Additionally, two new scoreboards will be installed at each endzone of the Dedmon Center arena, providing fans with clear views of time, score, and player statistics.

"The Dedmon Center has been the versatile hub for Radford athletics for over 40 years and is the home of many pivotal moments and highlights for the basketball and volleyball teams," commented women's basketball head coach Mike McGuire. "It's also time for the Dedmon Center to receive important upgrades to enhance the home game experience for our student athletes and fans. I'm truly excited for our student-athletes and fans to experience these improvements. This should continue to help the Dedmon Center be a huge home court advantage and one that Highlander Nation is proud to call home!"

Thanks to a new sound system and LED color changing lights, the Radford fan experience will be further enhanced. Dedmon's updated lighting system is provided by NGU Lighting, a company known for their work with prestigious programs such as N.C. State, East Carolina, Florida State, Duke (Cameron Indoor), and professional teams like the Philadelphia Eagles.

On the court, the Highlanders will debut a brand-new competition floor for the 2024-25 season. The Quicklock™ Classic floor is the world's most trusted portable hardwood flooring system that has earned an impressive tenure as the official court of NCAA March Madness® & Final Four®, the Summer Olympic Games, the FIBA World Cup, 14 NCAA Conference Championships, preferred competition floor of the NBA and WNBA, and hundreds of NCAA DI teams nationwide.

"I'm excited for the new renovations to the Dedmon Center," added men's basketball head coach Darris Nichols. "It will improve our game day experience and help the Dedmon Center continue to be one of the hardest places to play in the Big South."

The volleyball practice floor adds a dedicated area for practices and training for the volleyball program moving forward. The state-of-the-art Taraflex surface has become increasingly widespread among the highest levels of collegiate volleyball and is recognized for its shock-absorption technology and injury prevention.

Since its opening in 1981, the Dedmon Center has been home to the Radford University men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams, witnessing numerous historic moments over the past 43 years. Notably, the Radford women's basketball team achieved the majority of their 1989-93 Big South championship victories within Dedmon's walls, while in 1993, men's basketball legend Doug Day broke the NCAA three-point record. In recent years, the Highlanders have clinched multiple Big South championships in front of the home crowd, including volleyball (2017), men's basketball (2018), and women's basketball (2019).

Season and individual tickets for the 2024-25 men's and women's basketball season are currently available for purchase and more information can be found HERE. All home volleyball matches are free admission. The women's basketball team will kick off their home games on November 7th against Hampton for Education Day, while the men's basketball team will have their home opener on November 8th, hosting William & Mary. Meanwhile, the volleyball season is well underway, with the Highlanders securing a strong 2-0 start at home and in Big South play.

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