Yanitelli Center

Yanitelli Center (Run Baby Run Arena)
"The Bubble"
Map
Full nameVictor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center
Location2641 Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Coordinates40°43′40″N 74°04′23″W / 40.727648°N 74.073173°W / 40.727648; -74.073173
Public transitMetro interchange Port Authority Trans-Hudson PATH: Journal Square      JSQ-33
     JSQ-33 (via HOB)
NJT Bus NJ Transit NJT Bus: 8, 9, 10, 14, 80, 87, 119
OwnerSaint Peter's University
OperatorSaint Peter's University
Capacity3,200
SurfaceHardwood
Construction
OpenedNovember 29, 1975
Renovated2020–2021
Construction cost$6 million
($34 million in 2023 dollars[1])
Tenants
Saint Peter's Peacocks (NCAA)
(1975–present)
Jersey Jammers (USBL) (1986–1988)

The Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center, known today as the Run Baby Run Arena, is a multipurpose athletic facility on the campus of Saint Peter's University, a private, coeducational Jesuit university in Jersey City, New Jersey. Notable for its air-supported "bubble," the Yanitelli Center opened on November 29, 1975 at a cost of $6 million and is named after the 17th president of the college.[2]

The facility is the home of the Saint Peter's Peacocks men's and women's basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming and diving teams. For men's basketball games, collapsible bleachers are expanded to cover two of the main gymnasium's three full courts and provide a seating capacity of 3,200. For the women's games, only one of the bleachers is opened. The men's basketball team played the inaugural game at the Yanitelli Center against the Dartmouth Big Green losing 67–68.[2] Prior to its opening, the men's basketball team hosted its home games at the nearby Jersey City Armory and still occasionally use the venue for high-profile games.[3][4][5]

The building also houses an Olympic-size swimming pool with 1- and 3-meter diving boards, a fitness center, a weight room, a racquetball court, and a squash court. The offices for the Department of Athletics are located on the third floor while the Department of Recreation and Intramural Sports are in the basement.

Students often refer to the building simply as "The Bubble" due to the air-supported roof, which is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the campus and in Jersey City. The Bubble covers five roof-top tennis courts and a jogging track. The tennis nets can be removed to provide facilities for indoor athletic practices as well as a venue for intramural sporting events.[6]

  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Saint Peter's Basketball Mens Basketball Record Book" (PDF). Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "TASTY TIDBITS Armory a sight to behold; Borowski signs with Marlins". Hudson Reporter. January 17, 2006. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "Rutgers Falls at St. Peter's 65-58". Rutgers University. November 25, 2007. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "Saint Peter's and Seton Hall to Play Historic Doubleheader on Hall of Fame Day at The Jersey City Armory". maacsports.com. June 6, 2008. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "Yanitelli Center". saintpeters.edu. Retrieved August 18, 2017.