John Paul Jones Arena
What’s in a Name?
The name of the new 16,000 seat arena at the University of Virginia has people wondering. Where did that name come from? Is it named after the Revolutionary War Hero? Did the Led Zeppelin Bassist have ties to Charlottesville? Neither.
The new state of the art facility is recognition and a thank you from a son to his father.
Paul Tudor Jones II, a 1976 U. Va. graduate, made an extraordinary $35 million commitment to the University of Virginias newest arena and was granted his naming request to honor his father, John Paul Jones. Mr. Jones has described his fathers life as being dedicated to four things: his faith, his family, the University of Virginia and basketball. Jones senior is a 1948 graduate of the Universitys School of Law who currently lives in Memphis. His love of the University has never faded. He continues to participate in alumni functions, including serving three years as president of his alumni chapter and helping prospective U. Va. students through the admission process.
Basketball is a passion he shares with son Paul. Jones the younger was the first alumnus to voice concern that the University needed to replace the aging University Hall. In November 2001, he made a 10-year $20 million pledge that put the Arena project on the fast track. The ground breaking for this state of the art facility was May 30, 2003. The John Paul Jones Arena is the first facility in the country built by a public university almost entirely from private funds. It will also hold the title of the largest arena in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Construction will be complete in Summer 2006. The arena will house the University of Virginias Mens and Womens Basketball Teams. The facility will also host a myriad of attractions including concerts, family shows, seminars and community events.
