Fieldhouse Arena court named in honor of President 名誉教授托马斯?. 哈斯

Grand Valley celebrated the legacy of President 名誉教授托马斯?. 哈斯 on February 24 with a ceremony naming the basketball court at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in his honor. 

More than 300 GVSU supporters, friends and family members of 哈斯 joined President Philomena V. Mantella, Director of 体育运动 Keri Becker and university and athletic administrators for the official unveiling of the Thomas J. 哈斯 Court, prior to the Lakers men’s and women’s basketball games against Lake Superior 州立大学.

“I am so grateful for being called here to service with this university with so many fine people along the way, with all our current and past students and all those alumni that are out there changing the world in a better way,” 哈斯 said.

A devoted supporter of Grand Valley 体育运动, 哈斯 frequently attended Laker athletic events during his 13-year tenure as university president. Grand Valley teams won 19 NCAA Division II national championships and collected 10 Directors’ Cups, which recognize the top athletic programs in the nation. 

“What better moment to have Tom’s name associated with athletics, which is his love,” Mantella said. “一个我们的 band plays so frequently and a place where students always learn about their own development, teamwork, character and leadership.” 

A student athlete himself, 哈斯 said athletics can play a pivotal role in the complete growth of students. 

“You have the ability to develop physically and mentally with critical thinking when you're on the court or on the ”哈斯说. “You also develop your spiritual side and your emotional side as well.”

哈斯 recalled one of the biggest games in his athletic career when his high school in Staten Island took on one of the best teams in New York City, Power Memorial, which featured a future NBA 名人堂成员.

“Anyone know the name of Lew Alcindor?哈斯问 人群. “Well, he’s now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He and I were on the 同一个法庭. He was a lot bigger than me, and within the first two quarters, he scored 50 points.” 

Besides being a tremendous supporter of Lakers athletics, 哈斯 also played a role at the national level shaping collegiate athletics as the vice chair of Division II for the NCAA. 

哈斯 was selected as Grand Valley’s fourth president in 2006, leading the university through a significant period of growth. Under 哈斯’ leadership, Grand Valley added 30 undergraduate and 16 研究生课程. GVSU increased its footprint across campus with 2的加法.5 million square feet in buildings and academic space and across the state with the opening of the Detroit Center.

“This is truly an exciting and special day as we honor President Emeritus Tom 哈斯 with this much deserved tribute during his time leading Grand Valley,” Becker said. 

“He was so supportive of athletics and helped us build on previous success, ensuring we continue to create that foundation of championship excellence in addition to giving us the resources and support for our student athletes to be successful in the 教室也一样.”