Changes to Bud Walton Arena
As far as Universtiy of Arkansas athletics are concerned, it’s getting hard to think of anything that anyone has ever complained about that our new athletic director hasn’t fixed in the last six months. And now he’s at it again.
During a press conference today, Jeff Long announced $3 million worth of enhancements to Bud Walton arena that will have a lot of folks excited…especially those with more money than any of us have ever seen. It also answers the question of why we just got another ticket price increase.
For starters, press row is getting moved behind the goal in order to make room for 34 premium courtside seats that will be padded and include a cup holder. The seats will cost $12,000 each and will require a minimum of $10,000 in donations (yikes!). With the seats comes access to The Courtside Club which is an upscale hospitality area available before the game and at halftime. Needless to say, we won’t be delivering any reviews of that experience here at the Flyer.
The student section is getting some attention as well. “As we looked around the SEC and even the country, we found a number of schools that have actually removed the seats in the student section,” Long said on Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly this afternoon. Although Long doesn’t plan to take it that far, the regular backed-chairs will be replaced with bench-style seats. The reason being that the students stand most of the time anyway and they can probably fit a few more in there like that as well.
As for the floor, it’s getting completely stripped and resurfaced which means that it will be possible to change out that crazy-looking hog on the floor. The classic Razorback logo will take it’s place. Long said he saw it as an opportunity to unify the brand in keeping with the recent change to eliminate the “Lady” from “Lady’Backs.”
Finally, some electronic enhancements are being made including LED screens placed throughout the arena (probably for advertisements) and something called “ribbon boards” (anybody know what that means?).
All of this sounds pretty cool to me. Especially the part about the premium seats. I mean, now that the “I Am Rich” iPhone app has been removed, how else are all the local millionaires supposed to let everyone know how much money they have?
Discussion
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By Lankford on August 7th, 2008
I think ribbon boards are the long narrow LED screens that scroll the scores, graphics, and advertisements. You usually see them on the edges of the upper deck areas. Just guessing though…
By Totalbastard on August 7th, 2008
Jeff Long is the man.
By jones on August 8th, 2008
I am all for unifying the brand and all, but I am a little sad they are getting rid of the deranged,slober mouthed hog at center court. He is a wild one.
By EL Dookie on August 8th, 2008
Much props to Jeff Long. He has changed a lot for the better in a short amount of time.
Next change on the list I hope:
STICK WITH ONE COLOR RED — CARDINAL — and do not license any Hog t-shirts, hats, or other paraphenalia that is another shade of red such as maroon, scarlett, crimson, etc.
Find the PMS color and lock it in for chrissakes.
By JTrain on August 8th, 2008
Jeff Long continues to impress me.
I mirror jones’ feelings on teh slobbering hog mid-court, but at least it’s being replaced with the classic logo and not something else.
By EL Dookie on August 8th, 2008
Another peeve of mine, this pertains to football, so maybe this is the wrong thread: but the turf around the field at Razorback stadium is freakin purple. Not even maroon, purple!
At least it was last year. Any word on fixing that before Aug. 30?
(and bring back the Helmet Car)
By Nisc on August 8th, 2008
I would like consistent use of the classic Razorback across all sports, please. Mostly because that is what I have on my car and I like it.
And, I also agree with the color thing, crimson or cardinal. I don’t care which, just decide and keep it the same.
By Totalbastard on August 10th, 2008
Purple astroturf, the “Popcorn Hog”, maroon merchandise, all just symptoms of a pathetically mismanaged athletic marketing department under Frank Broyles.
Details have not been handled in decades.
It must feel really good for Long to be making all these changes.
UA Athletic Department had a lot of low-hanging fruit.