A renovation to Coleman Coliseum is planned for “Phase 2” of the Crimson Standard. What improvements would everyone like to see to the arena?
Discussion
Nate Oats has done a tremendous job at changing the basketball culture at the university. The buzz around the program since his hiring has been similar to the Gottfried days. In between the end of Gottfried and the hiring of Oats was a pretty dark time for Tide Hoops. Trust me, we’re getting back to the old days. Grant turned the program into a disaster, Johnson fixed it somewhat but was what looked to be lost in translation from his first presser to actually implementing what he wanted to do. Oats has been true to his word saying he’s going to increase pace and make the overall product on the court more entertaining. The work Nate has done so far has been as good as he could do with the roster he has. There’s very few players that fit the mold of his offense and defense completely. Trust me when I say this, the time is coming. When Nate was hired, it was never about this year, even though a majority of the fans and students thought it would be. Next year has been the motto of Tide Hoops for years now. However, next year is really going to be something special. Watching JQ struggle having to sit out this year is going to make next year a blessing. The talent that’s on the bench due to injury and eligibility is going to make next year special. The upperclassmen we have that will be back next year is going to be special. You’re looking at JQ, JPJ, Reese, Herb, Gary, Rojas, Shack, Forbes, and Davis all next year. Not to mention Ambrose and possibly Primo coming down from Canada. I would expect at least 1 forward to transfer out, a 2nd is very possible. A name to watch out for would be Patrick Tape during the grad transfer process. Dude was a stud for 2 years in the Ivy League. The 6’10 230 forward would 100% increase the post presence for the Tide. Like the title says, Don’t Panic, next year is going to be amazing.
Outside of scrapping the plan in favor of building a new Arena, the thing I would most like to see is an accelerated timetable.
Disappointed that The University did not put basketball first here, and decided instead to literally renovate a decade-old renovation for Football
We all are, my man. No ideas to improve the format though?
I'm sure, I'd have to go back and look at it the mock-ups for the renovation. I do wish they would had better food selections, kind of like a minor league baseball park. do some stuff to make the game more of an event. That's what the younger crowd wants these days.
I know a lot of people want better lighting, but I always felt that the only place that needs to be properly lit is the basketball court. Because in fact as a fan, I don't mind sitting in a little bit darker area kind of like in a movie theater. But I understand how it looks on television.
Seats closer to the floor, with better seats for the student section. Even when we get a full student section, the students are in the corner of the end zone. The other team has no pressure put on then in the second half of games by a crazy student section on the floor behind the goal.
I dig it! Anyone actually wanna see LESS seats?
Greg Byrne does and it is already settled
Tear it down if not, give the students seats closer to the floor
This is what I’m hoping for. Look at how schools like Duke treat their student section. That’s what I want ours to be like
Closer seats to side lines - you can have a front row seat and be 25 feet from court. Make seats closer in general - more straight up = not so slanted. Remove the sound proofing for concerts and make the sound reflect back to court (like BJCC). Better lighting for the court(spent millions and candlelight on court was less, Amenities for children to play, More variety of food offerings, A shop that sales basketball oriented stuff (not just Bama) including "long" sleeve not shorts its winter.
Would like to see the seats behind the basket closer as well
There is the concept for those of you that hadn’t yet seen it.