Friday, June 6, 2008

PIONEER ARENA GETTING MAKE OVER THIS MONTH

Pioneer Arena is getting new look this summer. The playing surface is being sanded, cleaned and repainted. The floor design will be new, including the addition a new three-point line for men's basketball.

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The main playing surface at Tusculum College’s Pioneer Arena is experiencing a make over this summer. The home of Pioneer basketball and volleyball will be getting a new look for the first time since December 2001 and the second time since the facility opened in 1998.

The playing surface is being sanded, cleaned in repainted. The floor will have a new design with the most notable change being the addition of the new three-point line for men’s basketball.

For the first time in 20 years, the men’s basketball three-point line has been moved back a foot to 20-feet, nine inches. This rules change was approved by the NCAA last month and will be enforced for the upcoming 2008-09 season.

The three-point line for women’s basketball will remain at the present 19-feet, nine inches.

The project is scheduled to be completed later this month.

The 2,000-seat facility is part of the Scott M. Niswonger Student Commons. The playing surface is spacious enough for two basketball courts or a pair of volleyball courts.

Pioneer Arena has hosted several events including Tennessee High School postseason tournaments, concerts and other community functions. The College’s commencement ceremonies are held in the Arena. Pioneer Arena has also hosted the South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Tournament for three years (2000, 2001, 2002), which was held in conjunction with the Food Lion SAC Fall Sports Festival. TC has also hosted numerous quarterfinal round games of the Food Lion SAC Basketball Tournament.

This past December, new championship banners honoring the past success of Tusculum Athletic teams, were installed in the rafters of Pioneer Arena.

- TC -