November 20, 2025
Celebrating God’s Provision: Prince Dedicates New Prince Athletic Center
Written by Amy Frierson
Prince Avenue Christian School celebrated a major milestone on Tuesday, November 18th, as the school held a ribbon-cutting and building dedication for the new Prince Athletic Center (PAC), a state-of-the-art 28,000-square-foot competition gymnasium. The event marked the culmination of a two-year building campaign made possible through the generous support of the Prince community and its partners. The PAC will now serve as the home of Wolverine volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading, while also allowing youth sports to utilize the school’s existing facility, which has been renamed the Lower School Gymnasium.
The entire student body, faculty, staff, parents, and special guests gathered in the PAC parking lot to celebrate the opening of the impressive facility, which features seating for 1,400 spectators, six locker rooms, two coaching offices, a training room, laundry room, equipment storage, an event space, and a large concessions area. The total project cost was $9.6 million.
Head of School Seth Hathaway opened the ceremony by expressing gratitude for God’s faithfulness and provision throughout the campaign. “We gather here with full hearts to dedicate this new competition gymnasium – a building that represents so much more than brick and steel,” he shared. “It represents prayer. It represents sacrifice. It represents a community that believes in investing deeply in its young people.”
Following the ribbon cutting, attendees entered the facility for the dedication program. After a spirited welcome from the Prince Pep Band and cheerleaders, Prince Athletic Director Richard Ricketts reflected on the history of the school’s athletic programs, noting that early basketball teams practiced in parking lots and played games at community venues. He encouraged students to value the opportunities provided for them. “The people who donated money to this building didn’t do it so that you would win championships,” he said. “They did it so that you would become a person who loves Jesus.”
The ceremony concluded with the entire school joining together in a prayer of dedication. The excitement continued later that evening as the varsity Wolverine basketball teams hosted their season home openers in front of a packed house. The girls defeated Mt. Vernon, and the boys claimed a victory over Cedar Shoals. The student section was overflowing, and many alumni returned to celebrate this historic moment.
It was a memorable beginning for a beautiful new facility that will serve the Prince community for generations to come.
Pictured above, left to right: Director of Development Kim Brannon, School Board Chair Brian Elrod, Grahl Construction Executive Vice President Chris Gareau, Athletic Director Richard Ricketts, Head of School Seth Hathaway, PABC Executive Pastor Tim Luke, and Development Assistant Lynne Bottoms