And they'll begin play next season in the Greensboro Coliseum, when UNCG moves all its home games from Fleming Gymnasium to the municipal facility that has been synonymous with college basketball since it opened almost 50 years ago.
The chancellor and Coliseum officials rolled out an exciting, ambitious plan on Dec. 5 that includes a home court setting in the arena and a locker room — sporting UNCG school colors and athletics logos — and a seating capacity of about 7,600.
Flanked by UNCG's Blue Crew student fan group, cheerleaders and the Spartan G's dance squad, Chancellor Brady made the announcement in front of a crowd of 240. She traced her appreciation of athletics at some of the nation's top institutions as a graduate student and later a professor or administrator. “I've been a Buckeye (Ohio State), a Commodore (Vanderbilt), a Yellow Jacket (Georgia Tech), a member of the Wolfpack (N.C. State ) and a Duck (Oregon) — and I can't tell you how glad I am to finally be a proud Spartan!“
The benefits are obvious, she said, with enhanced visibility of Spartan Athletics making a direct contribution to the student experience at UNCG.
“In the course of my career, I have been associated with universities defined by outstanding academic programs and great athletics programs,” she said. “Investment in one does not have to come at the expense of the other.
“We are positioning the program to create a larger community fan base. We want to be your home town team. The benefits go on to include potential increased alumni participation and financial support, greater regional and national recognition, heightened partnerships and loyalty within the Greensboro community and, finally, the ability to help stimulate the economy.”
UNCG is engaging two contractors, former Atlantic Coast Conference administrator Fred Barakat to assist in scheduling and ISP Collegiate Services to assist in aggressive marketing of Spartan athletics.
The timing could not be better for UNCG to schedule ACC opponents, who will play the ACC men's basketball tournament in the Greensboro Coliseum in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Brady's announcement came on UNCG's first Blue & Gold Day, a school-spirit event that will occur around key athletics events. The next one isFeb. 5, 2009, at 7 p.m., when UNCG plays nationally-ranked Davidson College, its only game in the Coliseum this season. Next season, UNCG has already scheduled non-conference games in the Coliseum with Princeton, N.C. State and East Carolina.
In 30 years, UNCG men's basketball has played 39 games in the Greensboro Coliseum, including three against ACC opponents. The Duke game, on Dec. 31, 2005, in the Coliseum, drew almost 21,000 spectators — the largest crowd ever to see a UNCG men's basketball game.
The UNCG Athletics Ticket Office (336-334-3250) has a limited number of $10 tickets behind the team bench, while supplies last, for the Davidson game. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (closing Dec. 24 and reopening Jan. 2, 2009).
Perhaps the best deal is the “4 for $44 ” special — 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs and 4 drinks for $44 — which is available through the Greensboro Coliseum. You can go to the Greensboro Coliseum Box Office, Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; or use Ticketmaster at (336) 852-1100 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com
By Steve Gilliam, University Relations
Photography by Chris English, University Relations
