NSU University School hosts Grand Opening and Dedication of Noël P. Brown Sports Center

George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., President and CEO of Nova Southeastern University; Keith Brown; Ronald Assaf, Chairman of NSU Board of Trustees.

NSU University School celebrated the grand opening and dedication ceremony of the newly expanded Noël P. Brown Sports Center on Friday Dec. 2 at 4 p.m.

The naming of the Noël P. Brown Sports Center is in appreciation of NSU Board of Trustee Keith Brown and his family’s recent gift to the university, which supports scholarships for undergraduate studies. Three of Mr. Brown’s children were NSU University School students, and he chose to name the sports center in honor of their mother.

Located next to the Aquatics Complex on Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus, the anticipated Gold LEED certified building addition spans 59,000-square-feet and includes state-of-the-art training and fitness rooms for student-athletes participating in 15 different sports; a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and other activities; a general purpose activity room for use by students as young as junior kindergarten; offices for athletic department staff; and locker room facilities for aquatics and visiting athletes; and an office suite for Special Olympics Broward County.  To complement the project, the original sports center received refurbishments to enhance classroom and programming areas. With these new resources, NSU University School together with NSU is creating a sense of community while also addressing a need for quality space for students.

 “The Noël P. Brown Sports Center is a reflection of the value NSU places on student wellness as an essential component of student success,” said George L. Hanbury, Ph.D., president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University. “We are also honored to provide a home for Special Olympics of Broward County as a reflection of our core values of diversity and community and the belief that everyone can model the character of a champion and strive to realize tremendous potential.”

NSU is the only private university in the country with a local Special Olympics chapter on its campus, now being housed permanently in the NSU University School sports center.  This partnership was made possible by the late Don Taft, who was committed to supporting special-needs children and young adults. A generous gift from the Taft Foundation contributed to the expansion of the facility.

Most recently, David and Cindi Samson named the Samson Family Fitness Center, which will help students learn and experience the benefits of aerobic and strength training.  Mr. Samson is the President of the Miami Marlins.  Two of Samson’s children graduated from NSU University School, and a third child currently attends. Wife, Cindi Samson is a member of the Head of School’s Board of Advisors, and a very active leader in the parent community.

 “The expansion of the Nöel P. Brown Sports Center provides our students with remarkable opportunities to enhance their physical well-being and foster camaraderie,” said Head of School William Kopas. “I am incredibly thankful to Dr. Hanbury, the late Don Taft, The Taft Foundation, the Brown family, the Samson family, and all our donors and friends in our community who have helped complete this project for our NSU University School students.”

 Additional donors to the project, as of this date, include Lauren and Steven Geduld, The Sam Berman Charitable Foundation, the Kopas family, the Steiner family, and the Avellanet family.

 Financial gifts for the Noël P. Brown Sports Center advance Realizing Potential, NSU’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign. This is the largest philanthropic campaign in its history which aims to raise $250 million for student, faculty, and 21st century education initiatives.