ATLANTA - Oglethorpe University unveiled the newly renovated Dorough Field House today at a donor appreciation luncheon. The most dramatic improvement was the installation of a new maple basketball floor, named Pinholster Court in honor of the university’s former basketball coach Dr. Garland Pinholster.

Pinholster served as head basketball coach at Oglethorpe from 1956 until 1966. During his legendary career, Pinholster invented “the Wheel,” an outstanding offensive maneuver, and coached during Georgia’s first integrated college basketball game, held December 29, 1961 in the Dorough Field House. After Oglethorpe, he coached the U.S.A. basketball team to gold in the 1963 Pan American Games, and he has written five books on coaching basketball. Pinholster received his bachelor’s degree from North Georgia College, his Doctorate in Education from Louisiana State University and an honorary doctorate from Oglethorpe in 2004.

The second phase of the renovation process will include an upgrade of Oglethorpe’s Athletic Hall of Fame display area above Pinholster Court to fully honor legendary Stormy Petrels. The Dorough renovation is the cornerstone for the celebration of Oglethorpe’s 90 years of basketball this academic year.

Other athletic renovations completed this year include lights for the tennis courts, laser-grading of Anderson Field and new weight room equipment courtesy of Infinite Sports Performance, a strength and conditioning group that now calls Oglethorpe home. With all of these improvements complete, Oglethorpe’s athletic program is better suited to face all opponents in the coming years.