Newly renovated SIU Arena is open for business
10/28/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 28, 2010
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Christmas has come early for Saluki fans.
Southern Illinois University took the wraps off of its newly renovated SIU Arena Thursday, and those who attended the dedication ceremony said their tour through the prized facility was a jaw-dropping experience.
"It's a phenomenal change," said Kathy Schimpf, a season-ticket holder from Carbondale. "Seeing it back in the '60s when I went to school here and knowing what it looked like, and to see the transformation -- it's just awesome."
The experience of attending a Saluki game has forever changed. The old arena was serviceable, but memorable only for the action on the court -- not for fan comfort or amenities.
"I think it's fantastic," raved Ray Burroughs of Murphysboro, who has been a season-ticket holder since 1966. "It's got our Saluki colors. The floor looks great. The entire place looks great. It will be a fun place to watch a game."
The main entrance on the East side of the building is more than three times as big as the old entry. It features a Team Store, Hall of Fame, and a spacious area for fans to gather before entering the concourse.
Once inside the concourse, fans discovered expanded concession areas, flat-screen TVs at every turn and new restrooms. A trip around the concourse is like taking a stroll down memory lane with wall-to-wall photos and graphics. From Walt Frazier to the ESPN Gameday visit, all of the historic moments in Saluki Basketball are captured and displayed.
"I'm just taking it all in," said Nadine Lucas, a Carbondale resident and season-ticket holder since 1975. "They are all good seats. It's really impressive. I'm really glad we have it. It was overdue."
As soon as you step inside the seating bowl, there is an overwhelming sensation of Saluki pride. The multi-colored seating of year's past has been replaced with solid maroon. Large graphics adorn each corner of the building. The sparkling new video board looks like a giant plasma TV. The roof, which was re-painted white, creates a clean, crisp setting.
Gone are the creaky, wooden bleachers. In fact, the upper bowl features some of the arena's most comfortable seats and best sight lines. It's an old cliche, but there's not a bad seat in the house.
"Renovated SIU Arena means the end of apologies, and the end of excuses," said Mike Reis, emcee of the program portion of the event. "We no longer have to apologize for anything here in this facility, and there are no longer any excuses for not being good at what we do. No matter whether we play, whether we coach, whether we administrate, broadcast, or coach -- look at the tools we have. Aren't these the tools that you should have in Division I, and the tools we deserve?"
The court itself has been resurfaced and re-painted and sports a more minimalist look. The area inside the 3-point arc was stained a darker color to off-set the rest of the court.
"As a former player and coach, I bleed maroon, and this is special," said men's basketball head coach Chris Lowery. "This feels like ours, because it's not brown, it's not beige, it's not dark. It's maroon. It's us."
The renovation, which was completed in phases during a 15-month timeframe, cost $29.9 million. It was financed with both public and private sources.
"The completion of SIU Arena is a tremendous accomplishment, and it will have a big impact on our community's economy, our university and our athletic program," said director of athletics Mario Moccia.
There are perks for those who have generously supported Saluki Athletics. Donors who made major gifts to Saluki Way have access to the Greg Cook Club Room on the upper concourse. Saluki Athletic Scholarship Fund members whose annual donation exceeds $600 can visit the Old National Bank Saluki Lounge on the North end of the lower bowl.
Chancellor Dr. Rita Cheng put an exclamation point on the proceedings when she said, "Our students and our friends and neighbors throughout the region expect and deserve no less."
The action starts in just two days. The men play exhibition games on Oct. 30 (7:05 p.m. vs. Quincy) and Nov. 6 (2:05 p.m. vs. Indianapolis), before officially christening the arena against Northeastern in the regular-season opener on Nov. 16. That game is part of the ESPN College Hoops Tipoff Marathon and has a unique 9 a.m. start time. The contest will mark just the second time in arena history that the flagship ESPN network has visited the facility.
The women host their only exhibition game on Nov. 6 (4:30 p.m. vs. Illinois-Springfield) before tipping off the regular season against UT-Martin on Nov. 12 at 7:05 p.m.
Both season-ticket packages and single games are on-sale. Visit the ticket office during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to select your seats or purchase by phone (618-453-2000) or on-line at SIUSalukis.com.