Roberto Surís Athletic Center, Dedication & Blessing Ceremony

Belen Jesuit is proud to announce the opening of its newest building, the Roberto Surís Athletic Center. This center is a testament to the school’s commitment to excellence in athletics and student wellness. The dedication and blessing ceremony was held on September 27. The Most Reverend Thomas Wenski, Archbishop of Miami, and District 12 Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermúdez were in attendance.  Click here to watch the ceremony. Click here to see the photo album.

Archbishop Wenski began the ceremony by leading the prayer and blessing the plaque that will be installed outside the building to commemorate the opening ceremony. School President,  Fr. Guillermo “Willie” García-Tuñón, S.J., '87, spoke about the significance of the building and the generosity of our benefactor, Roberto Surís ‘79 and his family. Student ambassadors led tours of the building. 

The state-of-the-art Roberto Surís Athletic Center is a three-story, 52,000-square-foot building with two weight rooms, a gym, two dozen treadmills, ERG Machines, golf simulators, and much more! Over 1,000 student-athletes who participate in 16 sports/50 teams will use the athletic center for training, locker rooms, and team meetings.  The Center will also be used for classes and will be the centerpiece of the Belen athletic program.

This transformative enhancement to the Belen Jesuit campus was made possible by the generosity of alumnus Roberto Surís, class of 1979, and his company, The Estate Companies. Additionally, the help of Carlos A. Penín '73, Ben Fernández '82, Tony Franyie, Jr. '86, José  González ‘91, Manuel Portuondo ‘85, Alexis Mantecón ‘97, Manuel Becerra ‘82, The Quintana Family, The Herrera and Castro family, The Vidal family, The Bodoh family, The Moreno family and many others were instrumental in getting this project off the ground.

“I am excited to see the grand opening of the Robert Suris Athletic Center at Belen Jesuit come to life after so many years of planning and execution,” said Surís. “This project was created with so many people's hard work and dedication as well as heartfelt gratitude for the strong foundation Belen laid for me. Team sports at Belen played a significant role in my formation as a man, husband, father, and businessman, instilling discipline, determination, hard work, and appreciation for the importance of teamwork.”

“We are eternally grateful to everyone who had a hand in making this incredible athletic center possible,” said Fr. Willie. “As we celebrate our 170th year of providing continuous education, we would be remiss if we don’t acknowledge that we have arrived at this moment because God has brought us here, and we are tasked with forming well-rounded men of Catholic-Christian values on and off the court and we will continue to do that in this new building. I look forward to seeing this Center filled with students and to cheering on our young men as they compete in the near future.”

The Estate Gymnasium in the Roberto Surís Athletic Center will be home to the Wolverines middle school basketball and volleyball teams. The pickleball and fencing clubs will also utilize the space throughout the school year. From the mission wall that exemplifies our Catholic-Jesuit values to the Belen Sports Hall of Fame and the impressive 8K video wall, every aspect of the Center has a purpose and will inspire current and future Wolverines. 

“There isn’t a section in this building that hasn’t been meticulously thought out, from the decor to the equipment,” said Carlos Barquín, Special Assistant to the President. “We’ve considered not only what will be utilized by our students today but how it will continue to be used in the years to come.”

“Contributing to the creation of the Athletic Center has been deeply meaningful to me because it embodies my belief in the power of faith and the ability to impact many new generations of Belen men through sports,” said Surís. “Teaching them values and building character that will further advance their lives and ability to be successful in achieving their life’s goals. This center represents more than a building; it is a space where young men will come together to grow physically and mentally strong, boost their self-confidence and collaborate with their teammates and coaches, all while creating life-lasting bonds. I hope that the Athletic Center will be a place for Belen to continue to inspire and support our future generations of athletes for the greater glory of God and instill the Belen motto of Men for Others.”