Tennessee Athletics Dedicates Larry Pratt Basketball Locker Room Complex

PHOTO GALLERY

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – While the start of basketball season is still two months away, the University of Tennessee celebrated a big victory for both of its hoops programs on Friday with the dedication of the Larry Pratt Locker Room Complex at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Pratt's lead commitment of $2 million—coupled with other leadership gifts—enabled UT to finance the top-notch facility entirely through private funds. The complex provides UT's basketball student-athletes very impressive headquarters during practices and games as well as for medical treatment, film sessions and other team-oriented functions.

The project, which involved demolition of the old infrastructure and a complete rebuild of that space, resulted in brand-new dressing, meeting and film rooms for both teams and a state-of-the-art sports medicine area. The upgrades certainly enhance the experiences of current Vols and Lady Vols, but they also provide an impressive showpiece during the recruiting process.

"I want to first thank Larry Pratt for his continued leadership giving and comprehensive support of the University of Tennessee and its athletics programs," UT Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said. "Larry led a group of project donors who share our commitment to maintaining championship-level basketball programs, and we're grateful to everyone who helped make this project a reality.

"This beautiful new Larry Pratt Basketball Locker Room Complex gives our men's and women's teams a state-of-the-art locker room and sports medicine space that ranks among the very best in the country at any level—collegiate or professional."

Both teams and their coaching staffs were present for the dedication and are grateful for the generosity of donors responsible for the magnificent makeover.

"Today is the first time I've been in (the new locker room)," Vols senior Kyle Alexander said. "It's an honor to be able to spend my last year in there. Some of these younger guys who just came in are so lucky to have such a nice facility.

"Like Coach Barnes said, this is the top locker room in the nation because they put so much time and effort into it—they put so much detail into every little thing. It's a great spot where we can all go and hangout and be close. This is an amazing opportunity for us, and I'm really excited and thankful."

Lady Vols senior Meme Jackson echoed those sentiments.

"We've come a long way from the locker room we had since my freshman year," Jackson said. "What they've created where our old locker room used to be is just incredible. We are all so appreciative of Mr. Pratt and the other donors who have stepped up to help the UT basketball programs enjoy these kinds of facilities.

"The dressing room, the film room, the lounge, the kitchen—they are all amazing. I especially appreciate having the athletic training room here instead of in another building. Everything we need to do from a basketball standpoint, we can do right here. We can't say thank you enough to everyone who has made this possible."

University of Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee Athletics Dedicates Larry Pratt Basketball Locker Room Complex

Players Mentioned

Kyle Alexander

Meme Jackson

Related Videos