Phase One is Underway
Building the Future of Cheyney Athletics
ÐßÐßÊÓƵ is entering a new chapter in athletics with the development of a modern Athletics Complex — designed to support student-athletes, strengthen the campus experience, and create new opportunities for generations to come. Phase One is now underway.
Honoring the Legacy
From Cope Hall to the Future
For generations, Cope Hall served as the heart of athletics and community life at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ. Its court was home to some of the most significant teams in college basketball history, including Coach John Chaney’s 1978 NCAA Division II National Championship Wolves and Coach C. Vivian Stringer’s trailblazing Lady Wolves, who advanced to the inaugural NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship game in 1982.
More than a gymnasium, Cope Hall was the house that built us, a gathering place where generations of students, athletes, alumni, and supporters developed their talents, celebrated Cheyney pride, and created an enduring legacy. Although the building’s chapter has closed, the history made within its walls will forever remain part of Cheyney.
“Historic Cope Hall — more than a gym. It was a classroom. A home. A learning laboratory where equity was rehearsed daily. And decades later, the relationships formed in that space still endure — rooted in mutual respect, shared memory, and collective pride. -Kyle Adams, M.Ed, Alumnus ’99
Cope Hall helped shape generations of Cheyney student-athletes. The new Athletics Complex will carry that legacy forward — creating new spaces, new opportunities, and new memories for the generations still to come.
Check out this video about the history made in Cope Hall, home to Cheyney’s trailblazing 1982 women’s basketball team, whose journey under Coach C. Vivian Stringer led them to the NCAA championship game.
Video courtesy of ESPN.
The Vision
A New Chapter for Cheyney Athletics
This project is more than the construction of a new building. It is an investment in the overall future of the University — its students, its alumni, and the community that surrounds it.
Built for the Future of Cheyney Athletics
The new Athletics Center will rise on the historic Carver Lawn, while the track and field will return to its original location behind the Marian Anderson Music Center. The approximately 50,000-square-foot facility will feature seating for up to 2,500 guests, state-of-the-art locker rooms, and modern spaces designed to support student-athletes, competitions, campus events, and the broader Cheyney community.
A gathering place for the whole University
A flexible space designed to strengthen campus pride, deepen alumni connection, welcome community partners, and create new opportunities for signature University events, including future commencement ceremonies.
Investing in what comes next
A lasting commitment to the nation’s first HBCU — supporting athletic excellence and institutional growth for generations of future Cheyney students.A space built to strengthen campus pride, deepen alumni connection, and welcome community partners into Cheyney’s next chapter.
A new space for competition. A new home for opportunity. A lasting investment in Cheyney's future.
Commemorate the Moment
Leave Your Mark on the Future
Alumni, families, teams, organizations, and friends of the University can commemorate this moment in Cheyney history while contributing to the future of Athletics. Purchase a personalized brick for the Athletics Complex and Track and Field walking paths, or make even more of a lasting impact by taking advantage of the naming rights opportunity.
A Permanent Place on the Path​
This campaign will place personalized bricks along two paths at the Athletics Complex: the track and field path and the athletics center path. Track and field path bricks are available now as part of Phase One; athletics center path bricks will open in a future phase.
However you choose to inscribe yours, it becomes a permanent part of the ground Cheyney student-athletes will walk for generations
Walking Path Brick Campaign
$550 per brick
*Payment plans available
Dimensions: 4″x8″
Character Limits: Up to 3 lines of text | Up to 18 Characters per Line, including spaces
Naming Rights Opportunities
Distinguished naming opportunities are available throughout select spaces within the Athletics Complex, including the field, team rooms, entryways, and gathering spaces.
A naming gift creates a lasting connection to this defining chapter in Cheyney’s history, recognizing the individuals, families, alumni, and organizations whose generosity helps shape the future for generations of student-athletes to come.
Flip through the book below to see the possibilities.
Help Build What Comes Next
Supporting the Athletics Complex is an investment in current and future ÐßÐßÊÓƵ student-athletes. There are several ways to be part of this project.
ContactÌý University Advancement contact:Ìýshknight@cheyney.eduÌý •Ìý Alumni Relations: mdanzy@cheyney.edu