A New Home for Recreation, Competition, and Community
The University of Hartford is creating a dynamic new destination for students with the Vin Baker Outdoor Athletics and Recreation Complex, a transformational investment in campus life.
Designed to enhance the student experience, the complex will create new opportunities for recreation, wellness, social connection, and athletic engagement while providing a vibrant gathering space for the UHart community.
About the Complex
The $2.4 million Vin Baker Outdoor Athletics and Recreation Complex will expand opportunities for recreation, club sports, intramurals, and intercollegiate athletics while helping meet growing demand for recreational programming and active spaces on campus. Open to student-athletes, club sports participants, intramural teams, recreational users, and the broader UHart community, the complex will provide a welcoming environment to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy campus life.
Whether students are practicing with varsity teams, competing in intramurals, participating in club sports, playing pickleball with friends, or simply looking for a place to unwind between classes, the complex will offer new ways to play, compete, and build community. It will also provide valuable practice and competition space for UHart's NCAA Division III student-athletes.
Features Include
- Six outdoor tennis courts
- Dedicated pickleball courts
- Outdoor basketball court
- Lighting for evening recreation, practices, and programming
- Space for club sports, intramurals, recreational play, and varsity athletics
This new facility reflects UHart's ongoing commitment to investing in spaces that foster wellbeing, connection, and school spirit, creating a campus destination that students will enjoy for years to come.
Construction Progress
Construction is underway as the future home of the Vin Baker Outdoor Athletics and Recreation Complex begins to take shape. Site preparation and court development continue to advance, bringing the vision for this exciting new campus destination closer to reality.
Check back often for the latest updates as we share progress from the project, including aerial footage, drone videos, and construction photos.
Honoring Vin Baker
The complex is named in honor of University of Hartford alumnus Vin Baker, the most accomplished men's basketball player in University history. From his beginnings as a Hartford Hawk, Baker went on to become a four-time NBA All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and current assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks. His journey is defined not only by athletic achievement, but also by resilience, leadership, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others, qualities that continue to inspire the UHart community and reflect the values the University hopes to instill in future generations of students.
For thousands of Hawks alumni, Baker represents excellence, determination, and pride in the University of Hartford experience. In recognition of his impact on and off the court, the University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at its 2026 Commencement.
While the facility proudly bears Baker's name, its purpose is focused on today's students and future Hawks. Just as UHart helped launch Baker's journey, this new space will create opportunities for students to stay active, build community, develop lifelong skills, and create their own memorable experiences on campus. The Vin Baker Outdoor Athletics and Recreation Complex will ensure that his legacy continues to inspire and benefit generations of students to come.
An Investment by Alumni for Future Generations of Hawks
This project has been made possible through the generosity of alumni and friends who believe in the future of the University of Hartford and the power of athletics, recreation, and community to shape the student experience.
Lead support includes a gift from Loic De Kertanguy '69, a former UHart tennis player who is investing in opportunities for future generations of students. In recognition of his support, the tennis facility within the complex will bear his name.
Additional support for the basketball court is being led by alumni Anthony Assante '91 M'93 and Mike Daglio '91, who have rallied fellow members of Sigma Phi Epsilon to honor their shared University experience and Baker's lasting impact on campus. Together, these gifts demonstrate what is possible when Hawks come together to invest in future generations of students.
Be Part of the Momentum
The Vin Baker Outdoor Athletics and Recreation Complex represents more than courts and competition. It is a celebration of community, perseverance, and the power of philanthropy.
Together, we are building a space where students will gather, compete, connect, and create memories for generations to come.