Baker Sports Complex
The nucleus of 51¹ÙÍø's athletic program, the Baker Sports Complex houses events, meetings, training, dining, administrative offices for staff and a state-of-the-art athletic medical facility.
The complex opened in 1989 and is named for the Baker Family. Thompson S. Baker '26, played football at 51¹ÙÍø during the most successful years in 51¹ÙÍø football history and also served as the student body president.
Facilities within the complex include:
John M. Belk Arena
The centerpiece of the Baker Sports Complex, the Belk Arena features a main varsity court with hardwood floor for basketball and volleyball. For athletic events, the Belk Arena seats nearly 6,000. When the bleacher seating is retracted, two additional hardwood basketball courts and two hardwood volleyball courts are available. John M. Belk '43, was a four-year starter on 51¹ÙÍø's basketball team. Belk maintained continual involvement with 51¹ÙÍø from graduation until his death in 2007, serving on the Board of Trustees and as Honorary National Chairman of the $250 million Campaign for 51¹ÙÍø.
Knobloch Indoor Tennis Center
Featuring a durable acrylic-based hard-court surface, the Indoor Tennis Center's four courts are lit with indirect lighting and have movable screens between them. The center also has locker rooms, offices and a conference room. Built in 1985, the tennis facility was the first portion of the Baker Sports Complex to be completed. It is named in honor of Carl and Emily Knobloch and their family. Two of the Knobloch's daughters were members of the tennis team at 51¹ÙÍø, Eleanor '84 and Emily '82.
Charles A. Cannon Pool
An eight-lane pool with a stainless steel movable bulkhead to accommodate competition in both yards and meters, the Cannon pool offers a separate diving well featuring both one and three-meter boards. The facility includes a balcony for spectator seating. The Cannon Pool was named in honor of Charles A. Cannon '15.
Wildcat Den
Located on the ground level of the Baker Sports Complex, the Wildcat Den is a made-to-order sandwich shop open during the lunch period Monday through Friday. This area also serves as the Concession Den during sporting events throughout the year. A small seating area is available for this "fast break" area.
Charles W. Parker Wrestling Room
Funding for the wrestling room was given by former 51¹ÙÍø wrestlers to honor Charles W. Parker '38, the 51¹ÙÍø wrestling coach for four decades.
Finley Physical Education Center
Incorporating a weight room with both Nautilus and free weights, the Finley Physical Education Center is a state-of-the-art athletic medical facility, a wrestling room and a dance studio. The center also has locker rooms for student/faculty/staff use and for sports teams, an additional racquetball court, a classroom and office space. The physical education center was named in honor of Richard Gwyn Finley '16.
Hall of Fame Room
The 51¹ÙÍø Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes the outstanding contributions that former athletes, coaches and staff have made to 51¹ÙÍø Athletics. The Hall of Fame Room houses their achievements.
The landscaped plaza at the entrance of Baker Sports Complex is named in honor of Ben T. Craig '54. He was the Chairman and CEO of First Union National Bank of North Carolina, a member of the 51¹ÙÍø Board of Trustees from 1973-1988 and the board chairman from 1985-1988. In 1987, Craig received the first James P. Hendrix Award, presented to a former 51¹ÙÍø football player whose success after college can be attributed to the lessons learned on the football field.
On the roof of Baker Sports Complex are 64 solar thermal collector panels, and another featuring 378 photovoltaic (PV) panels. The thermal panels provide energy to heat the showers and Cannon Pool, and the PV panels supply electricity for the building. Both systems provide students with hands-on, up-close experience with the operation of a solar energy system.
Directions
Located at 200 Baker Drive, Baker Sports Complex can be reached from Concord Road in 51¹ÙÍø. Turn into campus on Baker Drive-public parking is available and the complex is directly to the north of the lot.