The long-awaited day of the opening of the brand-new state of the art on campus basketball arena at Longwood University finally arrived on Saturday, the 11th of November 2023. The Joan Perry Brock Center is the physical manifestation of what it means to build champions and takes the student, athletic and community experience to new heights. For Lancer fans it was a daylong event starting off with a Homecoming tailgate for Longwood alumni, students, staff, and fans at 10:30am. Tip off was at 2:30 pm and the excitement for the infamous game could be felt all across campus.
Pictured: Longwood men’s and women’s golf teams and golf alumni get involved in the fun at the pre-game tailgate.
2:30pm rolled around and the crowd made their way into the sold-out arena. The energy was electric as the crowd caught the first glimpse of the space, already affectionately nicknamed the JPB. The arena is designed to embody Longwood’s traditional Jeffersonian architectural style. The red brick, white columns, serpentine walls, and arches add great character to the brand-new building. No matter where you are seated in the JPB the view is amazing. The strategic design of the seating only enhances the spectators’ experience.
On the court, Longwood gave the fans plenty of reason to cheer, as they dominated St. Mary’s of Maryland on a scoreline of 95-43. Longwood displayed a strong, physical team with a balanced offensive attack. Elijah Tucker and Jon- Jon Massie led the team with 13 points each respectively and 11 rebounds for Jon-Jon. Szymon Zapala, the Lancers tallest player, standing at 7 feet tall added 10 points and 8 rebounds for the Lancers. These results were remarkably impressive as none of the trio played for more than 16 minutes individually.
The Lancers picked up the majority of rebounds over the Seahawks, 52-17 overall. Longwood’s Finnish forward, Jesper Granlund etched his name in the history books as the first scorer in the JPB arena. The Lancers reached the halfway point with a comfortable lead of 34-11. For the remainder of the game, Longwood demonstrated their prowess with a dominant performance, securing their first victory of the season.
Lancer fans were filled with a dynamic blend of excitement, enthusiasm, and heightened engagement. The overall enthusiasm of the fans was elevated by the novelty of the surroundings coupled with the state-of-the-art facilities. The air was filled with cheers, applause, and spirited conversations. The impressiveness of the arena restored pride among Lancer fans which allowed for a vibrant and unified fan experience. The interactive displays including the jumbotron and high-quality sound system alongside the half time show allowed for a more immersive and engaging crowd atmosphere. There is no comparison between the Willett basketball center and the new JPB. Although Willet used to be packed with fans on game day, the atmosphere and overall experience in the JPB cannot be matched.
The debut of the new home of Lancer basketball was nothing short of spectacular. The arena exceeded all expectations and offered an immersive and modern experience for both athletes and fans. The pregame festivities and ceremonies added to the overall sense of occasion, building anticipation for the main event, the game. The venue and the team not only met the community’s expectations but surpassed them, solidifying its place and Longwood in general as a premier destination for sports and entertainment.