Capital improvement projects for the Loyola Marymount University Athletics Department continue to move forward during the summer of 2004 as the brand new Tournament Court on the LMU Tennis Center opens while Pride Park nears completion on the front of Page Stadium.

Thanks to a donation from A.G. [BusAdmin '72] and Kathleen Kading, the George P. Kading and Morris A Pivaroff Tournament Court at the LMU Tennis Center has become a reality. LMU and more than 150 supporters of the Lions' tennis program dedicated the new court on Sunday, May 2. The Kading and Pivaroff Tournament Court is the long-awaited sixth tennis court at the facility that is part of a major enhancement project to the tennis center.

During the month of June the tournament court along with the five existing courts were given a new surface. They were completed in time for the LMU Summer Camps to use the brand new facility.

Construction of the sixth court took place thanks in part to a $50,000 gift from A.G. [BusAdmin '72] and Kathleen Kading. The tournament court will play a key role in one of the Athletics Department's campaign goals- building facilities that support and encourage the highest standards of athletic performance at Loyola Marymount University. The court is named in honor of the Kading's fathers Morris A. Pivaroff and George P. Kading.

The LMU baseball program will soon complete construction on Pride Park, which will serve as a scenic and commemorative entrance to George C. Page Stadium. The park, resembling a scaled down baseball infield, will recognize alumni and friends of LMU baseball and provide fans with a gathering point for any athletic event at LMU.

Pride Park construction continues at Page Stadium.

Pride Park will consist of a brick infield with concrete benches surrounding the area. LMU baseball's West Coast Conference Championship teams, NCAA tournament appearances, and those players who have had their jersey numbers retired will be recognized on the benches. LMU fans will have the opportunity to sponsor the bricks that will form the infield.

Though the design of Pride Park lends itself toward baseball, the location provides a natural focal gathering point for LMU guests that attend any function inside of Gersten Pavilion and Page Stadium, or games on the soccer field or softball diamond. Pride Park is an important initial step in achieving the athletic department's dream of a sports complex. Following the construction of Pride Park and the current creation of the tennis tournament court, fans of LMU athletics will see a modern athletic center surrounding the southwest area of Gersten Pavilion, fundraising for a new softball facility, and beautification of the grounds surrounding the southeast portion of our athletic facilities.

For more information on how to help support these projects or others, contact Brian Luft at 310-338-7853.