El Camino’s new gym includes basketball and volleyball courts

Manhattan Beach Mayor Nancy Hersman presents a city certificate of appreciation to El Camino College officials at the opening of the school’s new gym. Joining Hersman are Student Trustee Lindsey Lee, Trustee Nilo Michelin, Trustee Mary Combs, Mayor Hersman, President Dena Maloney. Photo

El Camino College became one of the few colleges in California to have separate basketball and volleyball courts with the opening of the school’s new $35 million gymnasium on Friday.

The two-story, 56,000 sq. ft. gym features a 16,000 sq.ft basketball facility with seating for 1,241 fans and a 12,000 sq.ft. volleyball facility with seating for 654 fans. The upstairs includes a 3,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose/yoga room with windows overlooking the $48 million Murdoch Football Stadium, which opened in 2016. 

At the gym opening, ECC Athletic Director Colin Preston told guests that over 250,000 students have participated in Warrior athletic programs since the school’s founding in 1947. He added that 10 teams posted 3.0 or higher average grade point averages last year.

State Senator Steve Bradford, whose 35th District includes El Camino and who ran track at the school, told guests a bill he co-authored will enable college athletes to accept payment for use of their names and images for marketing. The bill was signed into law by Governor Newsom last October. NCAA athletes generate over $10 billion annually for colleges and universities, but NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from sharing in these funds. Bradford’s SB 206l prohibits the NCAA from enforcing that rule in California.

The newly completed gym, and football field, as well as new classroom and science labs, have been paid for by $400 million in facility bonds voters approved in 2002 and 2012.

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