Budd Gym Gives Women's Basketball a Home of Their Own
1/28/2020 5:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball, Les Johns
The Demon Deacons officially moved into the new space in mid-January and are already reaping the benefits
Practice had long concluded, but that didn't stop Wake Forest women's basketball players like Anaia Hoard, Mack Maier and Ellen Hahne from sticking around to get in some extra work.
The scene at Budd Gym assaulted the senses. There were the sweet sounds of balls bouncing and swishing through the net, as the Deacs exhibited their long-range prowess.
But you couldn't help take in the smell as well. With a fresh coat of paint and sparkling banners hanging, the renovated practice gymnasium had a 'new house' odor.
"We love it," sophomore forward Christina Morra said. "It's like a new, fresh start for us. It's a new beginning for our team, in some respects."
As the Shah Basketball Complex opened in September, Budd Gym was closed for upgrades. The women's team moved back into the practice space in mid-January.
"We love it," junior forward Ivana Raca said. "We have our own space. We don't have to see when the men's team is practicing so that we can get our shots up."
Our new home 😍#GoDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/1HhYbQIbcx
— Wake Women's Hoops (@WakeWBB) January 8, 2020
In the extra practice time on her own, Hoard drilled shot after shot behind the arc. After battling through an early-season injury, Hoard contributed seven points and an assist in 20 minutes off the bench in a 65-60 win Sunday over Syracuse.
"It's nice to know we have our own gym," she said. "We can create and make new memories here."
The Shah Basketball complex was a $12 million project that developed more than 24,000 square feet in practice space for both the men's and women's basketball programs. The renovated Budd Gym is designated primarily for the women's team, however.
"This building is phenomenal," Wake Forest women's basketball coach Jen Hoover said. "The gym being open gives our players access 24/7. They had that before, but would have to make sure what time the men's team was practicing and would have to work around that.
"Now we both have our own gym, and they can be in here any time they want. It's not going to be used for anything but us. The access it provides. It's beautiful and huge. It makes a statement about how important basketball is and the commitment level here. The whole building itself is incredible. We've been in there since July and then in here since early this month."
In the revamped practice space, there are new lockers for each player, where they can store anything needed for individual or team work. There's also a film area, an observation deck and banners hanging for each player on the current roster.
"It's a program changer," Hoover said about the new facilities. "The whole building is making an impact in recruiting. It gives us the 'wow' factor."
Thank you to the Budd family for coming to see our new gym 🏠
— Wake Women's Hoops (@WakeWBB) January 15, 2020
We love being in our new home 💛#GoDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/tsmT3xctfO
The Shah Complex offers more than 6,000 square feet of strength & conditioning equipment and 17,000 square feet of meeting rooms, coaches offices and a heritage area for the men's and women's basketball programs. There's also more than 1,500 square feet in the nutrition center.
With the win over Syracuse Sunday, the Deacs moved to 5-4 in the ACC, putting them in a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference. Wake plays at Pitt and Boston College, before returning back to LJVM Coliseum to host Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6.
