The University’s John Paul Jones Arena housed a dedicated dining facility for student-athletes on the second floor of the arena, which shut down at the end of the Fall 2025 semester. Virginia Athletics attributed the shutdown of the JPJ dining hall to cost-saving efforts, though student-athletes have said this loss leaves a lack of food options and deprives the athletes of a community-building space.
The 7,900 square-foot dining hall opened in 2006 as part of JPJ to provide all student-athletes with a nutritious and convenient dining experience in proximity to their practice facilities. It was located one floor above the academic-athletic center, which has since relocated to the new Olympic Sports Center and Hardie Football Operations Center. During the academic year, JPJ dining hall served dinner five nights a week — Sunday through Thursday.
Although JPJ dining only offered a dinner service, for many student-athletes, the weeknight dinners also provided time to unwind as a team, build friendships and create a community across sports. Large narrow tables spanning the width of the room allowed teams to sit together in big groups and also mingle with members of other teams. Student-athletes often described the dining hall as a social hub each weeknight…