Post by The Bofa on the Sofa on Oct 31, 2006 16:32:26 GMT -5
unipanthers.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/103006aaa.html
An end of an era Saturday night, as UNI plays the last match in the West Gym. It will be very emotional for the Panther players, staff, and alumni, who will be coming to town to play one last match of their own.
Yeah, it doesn't look very impressive. An old facility that looks like a high school gym. Because of the low ceiling, they used to move the old Mid-Con conference tournament over to the gym at NU High School. However, by fixing that, they got a facility that just BARELY was big enough to host the NCAA tournament (and I think they got a waiver for the ceiling). But there aren't many better places for volleyball in the US. With 2054 fans sitting more or less right on the court, the energy is through the roof. Ask UNI players what their favorite part about playing for UNI is, and they will tell, playing in the West Gym. It is a special place for players and fans. Ruffda can tell you where he was sitting for the epic UNI/Minnesota battle in the NCAA tournament. I can tell you where I was sitting when Michelle Reuss laughed at my Santa Claus hat (on the endline in the upper deck).
After Saturday, they move into the new MacLeod Center, a 5000 seat arena. It should be a top notch facility, but nothing will ever compare to the West Gym.
An end of an era Saturday night, as UNI plays the last match in the West Gym. It will be very emotional for the Panther players, staff, and alumni, who will be coming to town to play one last match of their own.
Yeah, it doesn't look very impressive. An old facility that looks like a high school gym. Because of the low ceiling, they used to move the old Mid-Con conference tournament over to the gym at NU High School. However, by fixing that, they got a facility that just BARELY was big enough to host the NCAA tournament (and I think they got a waiver for the ceiling). But there aren't many better places for volleyball in the US. With 2054 fans sitting more or less right on the court, the energy is through the roof. Ask UNI players what their favorite part about playing for UNI is, and they will tell, playing in the West Gym. It is a special place for players and fans. Ruffda can tell you where he was sitting for the epic UNI/Minnesota battle in the NCAA tournament. I can tell you where I was sitting when Michelle Reuss laughed at my Santa Claus hat (on the endline in the upper deck).
After Saturday, they move into the new MacLeod Center, a 5000 seat arena. It should be a top notch facility, but nothing will ever compare to the West Gym.
