1st basketball game on new Williams Arena floor

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: November 4, 2009 - 1:55 PM

The first Gophers basketball game will be played tonight on the new Williams Arena court, a hard maple surface that replaced the raised floor that felt millions of dribbles for more than eight decades.

The University of Minnesota women's team hosts Winona State in an exhibition starting at 7 tonight. The Gophers volleyball team won the honor of hosting the first official competition on the new surface with its match Oct. 24 against Michigan.

The Gophers men's team gets its first chance to sweat on the new court on Thursday in an exhibition with Minnesota, Duluth. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for halftime of the men's game.

As with the first floor, installed when Williams Arena was built in 1928, the new hardwood is raised about 2 feet. That rare aspect leaves the players' seats, officials tables and the first row of spectator seating below court level. It also gives Williams Arena a feature that sets it apart among most other basketball venues in the nation -- much the way that grass gives Wimbledon its distinction in tennis.

The height of the new court is close to the same as its predecessor, "perhaps an inch difference," said Gophers spokeswoman Becky Bohm. "The biggest difference is the big 'M' at center court instead of Goldy and that the team benches are now chairs."

The new floor was installed for about $850,000. That's about $200,00 more than it cost to build the entire pre-Depression Era arena.

The Gopher men have an overall record of 710-279 at Williams Arena, affectionately known as "The Barn," while the Gopher women have an overall mark of 212-108.

Pieces of the old floor have been framed for sale by Jostens. For more information, visit www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=3743642.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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