Run Baby Run Arena Name: To mark the opening and dedication of the Run Baby Run Arena at Saint Peter’s University. October 7, 2021, Jersey City, New Jersey The Saint Peter’s University men’s basketball team will play an exhibition game against crosstown foe New Jersey City University on Monday, November 1st, at 7:00 p.m. to officially dedicate and celebrate the great Inauguration of the Run Baby Run Arena (NJCU).
The Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center houses the state-of-the-art Run Baby Run Arena, a basketball and volleyball court (RLC). Trustees member and former LabCorp CEO Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68 have pledged a $5 million lead donation to help with the rehabilitation of the RLC and the construction of the arena. The “Run Baby Run Arena” has been renamed in honor of Mac Mahon’s 1967-68 Peacock basketball teammates in appreciation of the University’s rich basketball history. In 1968, the “Run Baby Run” team beat Duke in the quarterfinals of the NIT basketball tournament.
As the University celebrates its Sesquicentennial year, this celebration is timely. St. Peter’s University president Dr. Eugene J. Cornacchia said, “What better way to honor our past than dedicating this stunning new arena in commemoration of a landmark time in Saint Peter’s history?” To commemorate Tom and the Run Baby Run team, we’re grateful for his continuous support of St. Peter’s and look forward to commemorating his remarkable contribution. A special link between Mac Mahon and his comrades from 1967 and 1968 will remain in his memory forever, the Irishman stated.
Highlights of the Run Baby Run Arena
New retractable bleachers with chairback seating, a full replacement of the hardwood court surface, updated branding and signage, a reinvented entryway to the facility, increased lighting, and new video scoreboards are just some of the highlights of the Run Baby Run Arena. Fans can also purchase a special Peacock Plaque that will be placed to their seats in the arena as part of the Run Baby Run Seatback Campaign just launched by the University. Fans will be able to enjoy a permanent tribute to their love of Peacock athletics, or commemorate someone else, thanks to this.
Our athletic director, Rachelle Paul, says that the opening of the Run Baby Run Arena is a tangible reminder of our aim to provide opportunities that enable student-athletes to attain their greatest potential in academic and athletic pursuits. “Our consistent dedication to offering the greatest quality resources has helped make this possible. That commitment is boldly reflected in these new facilities.” The long-term goal of future RLC restorations is to transform the historic and fundamentally important facility while also improving the experience for present and future students, Division I student-athletes, alumni, local residents, and Peacock fans.
Under Mac Mahon’s guidance, the University saw remarkable expansion during his tenure as chair of the Board of Trustees, which lasted from 2012 to 2018. In addition to his involvement with Saint Peter’s, Mac Mahon has been named one of the world’s top CEOs by Forbes magazine (2004) and the Harvard Business Review (2010). From 1996 to 2013, he was a director at LabCorp, where he served as chairman and chief executive officer before becoming chairman and CEO in 1997. Restrictive gifts will be used to fund future phases that aim to improve recruitment, community engagement, support for athletics, and institutional pride.
Run Baby Run Arena Name
The game’s tickets will be available on the day of the event. All regular-season basketball games at Saint Peter’s University are free of charge for students, teachers, staff, and administrators who display their Spirit ID. The requirements for this year’s indoor athletic events can be found in the Spectator Policy. For more than 150 years, Saint Peter’s University has been educating a diverse community of students in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional programs to thrive academically, lead morally, serve compassionately, and promote justice in an ever-changing urban and global context.
The Run Baby Run Arena, formerly the Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center, is a multifunctional athletic facility on the Saint Peter’s University campus in Jersey City, New Jersey, the United States, which is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic university. The structure, which opened in 1975 and cost $6 million to construct, is known for its air-supported “bubble” and is named for the 17th president of the college. The Saint Peter’s Peacocks and Peahens men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and diving teams call this facility home.
The bagels are the main Reason
The deejay at a pre-game pep rally that day said, “This is a very, very important day in the college’s history,” and he was right. Even though you’re exhausted, you need to put on a show for me! That’s St. Peter’s Basilica. Saint Peter’s, at least, was that way. Over the course of two days in Indianapolis, Shaheen Holloway and this under-recruited bunch of athletes have transformed the university’s reputation. The Kentucky Wildcats are a household name, but Saint Peter’s was so desperate for a little additional attention back then that they offered complimentary breakfast to any fans willing to turn up early for a game versus Monmouth.
A few hundred students showed up for the bagels and the basketball, too. North Carolina and UCLA, as well as Saint Peter’s, are all set to play in the East Regional semifinals in Philadelphia next weekend. There are 39 Final Four appearances and 17 national titles between the two programs. Don’t even think about trying to tell the Peacocks that they don’t belong in that company next weekend. As a result of its unique air-supported roof, the facility is popularly referred to as “The Bubble” by students and the local community alike. Five rooftop tennis courts and a jogging track are included in the Bubble’s coverage.
Run Baby Run Arena is undergoing Renovations
On July 22, 2020, Saint Peter’s University announced that they would begin a phased refurbishment of the Yanitelli Center thanks to a $5 million lead contribution from Thomas P. Mac Mahon. Among the proposed changes in the construction of a new basketball/volleyball arena. As a member of the Board of Trustees of Saint Peter’s University, Mac Mahon decided to name the restored area the “Run Baby Run Arena” in honor of his former 1967–68 teammates’ moniker for their high-scoring offense. Saint Peter’s defeated New Jersey City University 90–66 in an exhibition game on November 1, 2021, at the new arena.
Spectacular Happenings
At a rally for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in the Yanitelli Center on January 9, 2008, the Yanitelli Center played host to the Democratic contender for president of the United States. As part of ESPN’s Tip-Off Marathon, Saint Peter’s University hosted Monmouth University in a men’s basketball game at 6:00 a.m. on November 17, 2009. Peacocks win 58-34 in overtime.
The main gymnasium’s retractable seats are stretched to cover two of the three full courts, allowing a total of 3,200 spectators to watch men’s basketball games. During the women’s games, only one of the bleachers is available for spectators. In addition to the Olympic-sized swimming pool, a fitness facility, a weight room, a racquetball court, and a squash court can be found in the building. It is the third-floor athletic department offices and the basement recreation and intramural sports department offices.
