Wednesday, June 18, 2008

 

NEW PIONEER ARENA FLOOR DESIGN COMPLETED

 

Pioneer Arena                GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Floor renovations for Tusculum College’s Pioneer Arena have been completed.  The home of Pioneer basketball and volleyball received a new look for the first time since December 2001 and the second time since the facility opened in 1998.

 

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

 

                At midcourt, the word “Tusculum” highlights the new floor design in bold orange letters, outlined in white and black trim.  The basketball baselines and sidelines are boarded in black with the word “Pioneers” in each end of the floor.

 

                The orange paint that once covered inside the three-point arc is gone, but the floor shade is distinctively lighter inside the arc from the rest of the playing surface.  Also added is the South Atlantic Conference Championship logo which is now on both sides of the basketball floor.

 

                The most notable change for volleyball is the placement of permanent lines for the main playing surface.

 

                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 new three-point line is orange at Pioneer Arena.

 

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

 

                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.

 

                Upcoming events in arena include: Winning Edge Basketball Camp (June 24-27 & July 29-Aug. 1), Lady Pioneer Basketball Camp (July 6-10) and the Tusculum Volleyball Camp (July 20-27).

 

- TC -