Background and History

Facilities

"This magnificent sports and convocation facility is named in honor of the leadership and generosity of Robert L. Freeman, Sr. and his family," said CNU President Paul Trible.

Robert L. Freeman, Sr. is one of the Peninsula's leading business and community leaders. He had a distinguished career in accounting, which included being managing partner of Coopers & Lybrand's Newport News and Norfolk offices.

Mr. Freeman is currently involved in several business ventures, including being Director and Vice President of Virginia Health Services, Inc; Chairman of Advex Corporation; President and Chairman of F/V Selma, Inc.; Manager and President of Todd Shopping Center, L.L.C and a director of the Coliseum Business Improvement District.

Mr. Freeman is also very involved in the community. He currently serves as a Trustee for the Mariners' Museum and is a Deacon and Trustee of North Riverside Baptist Church. He is a Founding Director of the Virginia Living Museum, and has served as a Director of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Director of the College of William and Mary Athletic Educational Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Hampton Roads Academy.

Mr. Freeman has also been Director of the Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Council, Chairman of the Peninsula United Fund Drive, and Vice President of the Port Authority Terminals. "Bob Freeman has spent a lifetime helping to make Virginia a better place to live, work and raise a family. It is only fitting that we honor this great man in a very special way," Trible said.

In 1998, Robert L. Freeman, Sr. and members of his family announced their gift of $1 million to CNU for the construction of the Center for the Arts. The gift from the Freeman family is the largest private gift CNU has ever received.

The Freeman Center features a 200-meter indoor track, three basketball courts, a volleyball court, a superb restaurant named Captains and 10,000 square feet of fitness and wellness space. The facility will be the performance venue for CNU's winning basketball, indoor track and volleyball programs. It will also accommodate 5,000 for convocations.

The Freeman Center also houses the Trieshmann Health and Fitness Pavilion named in honor of the contributions of Dr. and Misses H.W. Trieshmann Jr.. Dr. Trieshmann serves on the CNU Board of Visitors and is a strong supporter of the University. Part of the Trieshmann Health and Fitness Pavilion features an area of fitness equipment that is named the Cox Business Services Cardio Zone following a gift from Cox, who has been a valuable partner in several projects with the University.

The Freeman Center also contains the Charles Wilhelm and Daniel Carr Sports Medicine Complex. This is a state-of-the-art training facility for CNU's student-athletes. The complex honors CNU's outstanding orthopedic doctors for their on-going contributions.

Finally, the men's basketball locker room in the Freeman Center will be named the Moorman Locker Room, following a gift given by the Moorman family and the JK Management Group, Inc. The gift is in memory of Joseph C. Moorman who was the father of former CNU basketball player Jimmy Moorman.

"I'm pleased so many wonderful people have played key roles in the development of The Freeman Center. Their support was instrumental in making this a truly magnificent facility," Trible said.

The Freeman Center was formally dedicated on Thursday, November 9 th , 2000.