BERKELEY – The University of California, Berkeley, has received a $10 million commitment from the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund to establish a dedicated practice facility for its men's and women's basketball programs, Co-Directors of Athletics Jenny Simon-O'Neill and Jay Larson announced Friday.

The project, which will renovate and modernize the current Blue Gym at the Recreational Sports Facility through a partnership with Berkeley RecWell, will also include an updated strength and conditioning facility in Haas Pavilion. 

"The new practice facility is a crucial step for us as we continue to build a championship-level program," Cal head men's basketball coach Mark Madsen said. "It will allow us to continue to recruit elite student-athletes that are the right fit for Cal and be vital for individual and team development. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Lisa and Doug Goldman to help make this project a reality."

The facility will include a new floor and technological enhancements including replay screens and shot trackers. Not only will the modernized gym give Cal's basketball teams the flexibility to schedule practices that best fit the demands of their student-athletes, it will give them 24/7 access for individual training throughout the year.

The renovated strength and conditioning area will allow Cal's teams to ensure optimal training schedules. New improvements will also better leverage sports science innovation and improve lifting technique.

"I am so appreciative of the Goldmans for their generosity and continued support of Cal Athletics," Cal head women's basketball coach Charmin Smith said. "This facility fills an essential need for our student-athletes and is crucial in enhancing player development. A designated practice facility allows us to continue the pursuit of top talent and our quest for championships."

The dedicated facility will be vital as Cal's basketball programs move forward and compete with conference and national peers in the current dynamic landscape of intercollegiate athletics. 

Additional support to further enhance the project is ongoing, with Mark '83 and Lori '84 Edelstone already making a significant commitment to the project as well. 

"If a college wants to compete at the top level of Division I, a 24/7 practice facility is critical to attracting the top varsity basketball players," Doug Goldman '74, M.D., said. "When Cal-Berkeley was in the Pac-12, it was the final school to be lacking one when UCLA built its facility. When he made the lead gift to create that new practice facility at UCLA, our dear friend, Mo Ostin, of blessed memory, called me to tell me, "Now, you're next!" This has been a long time coming. But we now have a commitment to excellence in athletics, especially the revenue-producing sports, at the highest level of this otherwise exceptional University. After all, a school that is committed to exceptional academics should also be committed to exceptional athletics!".

The University is incredibly grateful for the generosity of these two families as well as the campus partnerships that made this possible.