Marvel Returns to Roots in New Role as Boone Center General Manager

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 23, 2011) − For Gerald Marvel, becoming the new general manager of the University of Kentucky's Hilary J. Boone Center is a homecoming. Marvel began his career in the hospitality industry in 1989 at what was then the Hilary J. Boone Faculty Club. He left there in October 1995 to become the operations manager at Spindletop Hall and has been the general manager of The Club at Spindletop Hall since 2004. He returned as the new Boone Center manager in late March of this year.

Marvel will continue to serve as general manager of The Club at Spindletop Hall, along with his new post at the Boone Center. “I’m very honored to be back here as well,” Marvel said. “Both clubs were chartered to serve the university community, and my goal would be now to align their efforts and services to better do so.”

The Boone Center features the latest technology in its four private meeting rooms, perfect for faculty and staff meetings, along with its elegant dining in the main dining room and more casual setting in the terrace and courtyard. The Club at Spindletop Hall, with its pastoral setting in the heart of the Bluegrass, is an ideal facility for retreats, family fun, and events of all varieties for personal or business entertaining.

“They are both great facilities – one very much a state-of-the-art facility right here on campus, and the other a beautiful, historic facility just a few miles from campus, with some modern amenities as well,” Marvel said. “Between the two, I think we have a tremendous amount to offer the University community that most universities don’t have. The Club at Spindletop Hall and the Boone Center complement each other greatly.”

The Hilary J. Boone Center

The Boone Center offers UK faculty, staff and alumni a convenient place for lunch on campus, as well as well-equipped meeting facilities and special events. The center features 20,000 square feet of meeting and dining space, including a main dining room that seats 200, and four private rooms that seat 16 to 135 people. Guests can order from the fast, casual lunch menu on the center’s terrace for a quick meal, or stay longer for more elegant cuisine. “Having our own parking makes it easier than most people think to have events here,” Marvel said.

Located at 510 Rose Street, the Boone Center is available for special event bookings for members and UK departments Visit the Boone Center’s website at www.uky.edu/BooneCenter or call (859) 257-1133 for more information.

The Club at Spindletop Hall

Club amenities include The Club Dining Room as well as a more casual dining option, The Saddlehorse Lounge, and seven private rooms for events of all kinds ranging from baby showers to the grandest of wedding receptions.  Outside, the grounds feature four swimming pools, 10 tennis courts, a playground and picnic area, two chipping and putting greens and a bike storage area to help members take full advantage of the private access to Lexington’s Legacy Trail. The Spindletop Hall Barracudas swim and dive team offers a great opportunity for members’ children to compete on the highly awarded team. University of Kentucky faculty and staff, alumni and associate alumni are eligible for membership.

Spindletop Hall and Spindletop Farm were home to Mildred “Pansy” Yount, who sold the acreage and mansion at a gift price to UK in 1959. In 1962, UK moved its faculty, staff and alumni club to Spindletop. The area surrounding Spindletop Hall is now used by the UK College of Agriculture for various research and teaching projects.

The Club at Spindletop Hall is located at 3414 Ironworks Pike. For more information about the Club and how to become a member, visit the Spindletop Hall website at www.spindletophall.org or call (859) 255-2777.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396 or keith.hautala@uky.edu