Spring Break
Basketball deserves new home
Mike Zoller
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Sports
A few weeks ago we ran a column calling for more fan support at Millett Hall for both men's and women's basketball.
The responses we got to that column were overwhelming. Students emphatically voiced their opinion on the fan support problem at Millett Hall.
The solution: Miami needs a new basketball arena.
I couldn't agree more. Millett is just about the last place you want to play basketball. It doesn't have the same atmosphere as Goggin, Yager or any of the other homes for RedHawk athletics.
In the past five years, Miami has improved or rebuilt a new stadium for virtually every major varsity sport.
Yager Stadium got an $8.5 million facelift in 2004, which included a new scoreboard and a beautiful new student section which actually made you feel like you were at a football stadium.
The hockey team moved into their new $34.8 million home in Steve Cady Arena this season and now host one of the nicest arenas in all of college hockey.
In 2002 the baseball team moved into its new $3.7 million home, McKie Field at Hayden Park. Lights were installed before the 2006 season for the capability to have night games. In addition to baseball, Miami's softball team moved into its new $4.5 million home this season after the diamond was torn down and rebuilt.
During the summer of 2006, the field hockey team received $1.25 million to upgrade their field. After the complete overhaul, the field is now considered to be one of the finest field hockey facilities in the country.
So after all the money was spent, construction hours logged and new dedication ceremonies completed, three sports were left out.
Men's and women's basketball, as well as volleyball, still play in Millett Hall which hasn't had a major upgrade since its construction in 1968.
With the recent success of the Miami basketball team this year, and the team's overall solid play the past three years, isn't it time we get the 'Hawks a new home?
The responses we got to that column were overwhelming. Students emphatically voiced their opinion on the fan support problem at Millett Hall.
The solution: Miami needs a new basketball arena.
I couldn't agree more. Millett is just about the last place you want to play basketball. It doesn't have the same atmosphere as Goggin, Yager or any of the other homes for RedHawk athletics.
In the past five years, Miami has improved or rebuilt a new stadium for virtually every major varsity sport.
Yager Stadium got an $8.5 million facelift in 2004, which included a new scoreboard and a beautiful new student section which actually made you feel like you were at a football stadium.
The hockey team moved into their new $34.8 million home in Steve Cady Arena this season and now host one of the nicest arenas in all of college hockey.
In 2002 the baseball team moved into its new $3.7 million home, McKie Field at Hayden Park. Lights were installed before the 2006 season for the capability to have night games. In addition to baseball, Miami's softball team moved into its new $4.5 million home this season after the diamond was torn down and rebuilt.
During the summer of 2006, the field hockey team received $1.25 million to upgrade their field. After the complete overhaul, the field is now considered to be one of the finest field hockey facilities in the country.
So after all the money was spent, construction hours logged and new dedication ceremonies completed, three sports were left out.
Men's and women's basketball, as well as volleyball, still play in Millett Hall which hasn't had a major upgrade since its construction in 1968.
With the recent success of the Miami basketball team this year, and the team's overall solid play the past three years, isn't it time we get the 'Hawks a new home?
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
feldmaaf
Aaron
posted 4/13/07 @ 11:09 AM EST
Mr. Mike,
You want a thrilling NCAA hoops experience? I recommend you transfer to a different college in an alternative athletic conference. As a Miami graduate, I understood before attending the school that there were elements that would not be present during my college experience. (Continued…)
Jeff
posted 4/13/07 @ 12:34 PM EST
Mr. Zoller,
Although I admire your passion for Miami b-ball and share your desire for increased fan support, I think your solution misses the point. (Continued…)
mu00
mu00
posted 4/13/07 @ 10:57 PM EST
Mr. Zoller,
The assumption that no one at Miami gave any thought to having a shared facility for basketball and hockey is a poor one on your part. I'm sure that in the planning stages the idea of such a facility was discussed and for one reason or another it did not happen. (Continued…)
John
posted 4/16/07 @ 2:54 PM EST
This article was already written a couple weeks ago.
http://www.oxfordpress.com/search/content/oh/story/opinions/columns/2007/03/21/op032307sportsslants. (Continued…)
Doug
posted 4/19/07 @ 3:16 PM EST
While Millett isn't the nicest place I've watched a college basketball game it is by no means the worst (clearly you've never watched a game from inside Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium - which is worse than most HS gyms). (Continued…)
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