Alumni Arena is getting a makeover.
The Bulls will be stepping onto a brand new floor when they kick off next season as Alumni Arena is scheduled for a complete renovation, which will include new basketball offices and the elimination of the old bleachers.
"These improvements to our arena are a continuing demonstration by both the University and our supporters to the commitment of our intercollegiate athletics program," said Bill Maher, Interim Director of Athletics earlier in a statement.
New chair back seating that is proposed will eliminate the discomfort of the old bleachers and could change the atmosphere at Bulls games, moving students closer to the court.
Capacity will decrease by about 2,000 people, bringing it to around 6,500 seats, due to new fire safety codes. This means that the seating on the ends of the court will be slightly further away than they currently are.
Once completed, the renovations will cost UB close to $2 million. The court and seating changes will account for $1 million, while the revamping of the second floor offices will run $750,000.
Both men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the wrestling, volleyball and indoor track teams call Alumni their home. In addition to the Bulls' varsity teams, countless UB students use the court for intramurals and other recreational activities.
"UB women's basketball head coach Cheryl Dozier said she understands the importance of the "home court advantage" and looks forward to UB's new digs.
"There isn't a building that we go into in our conference where the fans are not on top of you," said Dozier. "I think that's one of the biggest things that this renovation will bring to our arena, a better home court advantage, putting the fans right on top of the opposing teams."
The student section has been a topic of controversy. Many students say they dislike the current location of the student section - behind the basket - and continue to sit in the bleachers behind the opposing teams benches.
"We are bound by league guidelines to provide visiting fans seating there and that makes it difficult in terms of a crowd management standpoint to make sure we've got that," said Maher.
"I think, within our conference, at every other school that I've been to, behind the basket is the student section and that is where they can do what students bring to the game and what is appropriate," said Maher.
Maher said he thinks the best way to resolve the issue is to have John Lambert, the director for External Relations, meet with people in student relations.
"I'll make no secret that I think the place that our students can best affect the basketball game is from the end bleachers where they can stand and they can make noise, and do everything that makes the college basketball experience what it is," said Maher.
Others disagree with Maher, citing side view behind the visiting team's benches to be superior.
"I don't think that (moving the student section) will make a difference," said Josh Kohan, a senior double major in English and media studies. "The kids are still going to sit on the sides - it's a better view."
Buffalo's point guard, Turner Battle, said he believes the project will be a success because it will put UB's facilities on par with the rest of the league.
"I think that a lot of other schools in the MAC have nice arenas, and I think this is nice, but upgraded would be even better," said Battle.
The artist's illustration by the athletic department's Paul Hokanson shows the rendering of Alumni to be much glossier than the current arena.
"It's going to be a brighter, more vibrant facility for us," said Maher. "The changes that we are going to have on the playing surface itself, in terms of markings of the court, are going to make it more attractive."
The center court logo and designs along the sides have yet to be determined, but the Bulls' current rendering of the new logo looks to greatly improve the current eyesore in the middle - a crude orange basketball.
With the renovations set to start in May, fans of UB athletics will have a lot to look forward to once Alumni Arena receives its makeover.
