Greg Carroccio/Sideline Photos

Bringing Our Community Together

What do the following have in common?

• 300 Philadelphia elementary-school science students
• Ludacris, the famous rapper and actor, and his fans
• Top contributors to SJU’s $152.1 million campaign
• SJU students teaching Kinney Kids to ride bikes
• Lower Merion High School Class of 2011
• Kid’s Basketball Clinics

All have convened at the Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena.

From community events to large student-run benefits such as Hand-in-Hand, the Hagan Arena has enhanced Saint Joseph’s ability to draw people together. It is the realization of Joyce and Mike ’85 Hagan’s dream to connect students, alumni, parents and the community year-round through an expanded, state-of-the-art venue.

Although the Hagan Arena is reaching beyond the court, Hawks basketball will always be the most popular attraction. For Hawks basketball fans, the upcoming season will deliver even more excitement. For the first time since the founding of the Big 5 in 1955, Saint Joseph’s men’s basketball will host Villanova on Hawk Hill.

SJU takes tremendous pride in our basketball tradition and in facilities that are earning the admiration of players, coaches, sportscasters and potential recruits. And, as fans attend games or watch on television, they will be drawn to a Saint Joseph’s University that is continually evolving and realizing greater potential.

The advent of the Hagan Arena and Jack Ramsay ’49 Basketball Center also benefits the SJU student body by providing more opportunities for athletics. When the new facilities opened, the vacated space enabled men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse and track to have dedicated areas for offices and training.

“We advanced from an overcrowded, outdated fieldhouse to state-of-the-art facilities and an infrastructure that provides countless benefit to our athletes, students, fans and community,” said Saint Joseph’s Athletic Director and Vice President Don DiJulia ’67. “None of it would have been possible without the vision and generosity of Mike Hagan.”

“The Ramsay Center and the Hagan Arena are top notch,” said women’s varsity basketball player Katie Kuester ’12, “everyone really benefited from all the money that was given and from the opportunity to make Saint Joe’s better.”

With the bonds created around basketball, and an increasing number and variety of other events, the Hagan Arena is taking center stage as the place where the University and community draw closer together.