Patrick Nero

Patrick Nero | Director, GW Athletics and Recreation

He has taken many steps to visually connect GW's largest indoor space with the city—most notably the 2013 unveiling of a National Mall motif on the court. More than anything, he said, the Smith Center is a place of people.

"One of the first memories our students have of coming to college is Freshman Day of Service and Convocation. And then, for many of our students, one of the last memories is their Commencement ceremony. That's why it was so important for us to put the National Mall on our basketball court. Anytime they are back in the building or watching on television, and they see those monuments on our court, it brings them back to those memories."