Last Season for Basketball in the Justice Center

[voice]

The season is still many months away, but what suggestions would you have for celebrating/ commemorating the last Men's and Women's Basketball game/season in the Justice Center prior to the move into Kimmel Arena?

Please remember that we will consider all suggestions but might not be able to put them all into action.

[UNCA Alum]

Try to find as many involved players as possible and re-enact the epic Asheville / Mars Hill brawl from the late 80's that took place there.

I really can't think of anything. Maybe try to bring back the women's national championship team? Or the 2003 men's team?

[kingaling42]

Yikes- no good (& I know you're just kidding anyways).. I have seen that video & know a person with a copy of that incident.. No bueno, especially for an individual residing in Asheville that jumped into the scrum & suckerpunched a Mars Hill guy & ran off cowardly.. probably can find something else to do..

I've got no major thoughts on the matter right now though.. I think it would be cool to celebrate the history of the building in some form or fashion... something that emphasizes that history/story of the building, various teams of the many sports that had success within those friendly confines, have a top 10 moments of the JC or something.. I dunno..

[UNCA Alum]

I was just trying to think of anything significant that happened in the arena and that was the first thing that came to mind. Would have a hard time showing a Top 10 without a video screen.

Maybe something corny like a Justice Center Moments where at halftime Dave could just read a little blurb summarizing a big basketball or volleyball win or great individual performance (hopefully in a winning effort) in the Dog Pound.

[kingaling42]

Yep- the lack of video capability really hinders that concept..

Hint voice.. hint, hint.. let's not build an already antiquated arena lacking new technologies...

[beachdog]

They aren't tearing it down are they?

[beachdog]

I know one of the greatest comebacks in NCAA basketball history happened there. Not many people know that.

[UNCA Alum]

They aren't tearing it down are they?

Volleyball will still play there.

[GoUNCA]

Does anyone know if Volleyball is wanting/planning a new floor? Maybe the basketball team will want to continue to practice there?

I know they mainly play on gym floors at other schools, but larger schools have a dedicated facility with a different style floor (I think). I'm not sure if the surface is that much different or not. I think the Justice center could transition nicely into a Volleyball oriented facility. It would be a huge asset to the Volleyball program (which I think it is almost universally agreed that volleyball is one of the top two sports we have). I also think Julie deserves it.

If we do change the floor, I'd certainly buy some of the old flooring as a fundraiser.

[UNCA Alum]

I doubt they'll draw new lines. I'm sure the Justice will still be used for basketball camps, basketball practices, AAU tournaments, etc. I don't know what they are going to do with the HFC, but we could potentially have five basketball courts right there together, six if you count the side goals in the Justice. Having both gyms available for practice would give the mens and womens team more flexibility in regards to scheduling practice.

Does anybody know how many goals we are going to have in the new gym? Are we going to buy any extra transportable goals for practice purposes or just have the two main ones?

[kingaling42]

My understanding is that there will be 6 portable goals.. then again I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this done in a Mickey Mouse way & end up with only the 2 main goals...

[uncafan]

Does anyone know if Volleyball is wanting/planning a new floor? Maybe the basketball team will want to continue to practice there?

I know they mainly play on gym floors at other schools, but larger schools have a dedicated facility with a different style floor (I think). I'm not sure if the surface is that much different or not. I think the Justice center could transition nicely into a Volleyball oriented facility. It would be a huge asset to the Volleyball program (which I think it is almost universally agreed that volleyball is one of the top two sports we have). I also think Julie deserves it.

If we do change the floor, I'd certainly buy some of the old flooring as a fundraiser.

I don't know if they'll change the floor... That costs money so at least in the short-term I'd think it would stay the same. I know Julie really wanted to stay in Justice for volleyball -- and they granted that request. I think she'll also get to take over the old bb coaches office as well?
I guess if you sold pieces of the floor though -- might be enough of a fundraiser to redo that floor.

I mean you could take out the baskets, redo floor... I do know regardless Justice is now going to be volleyball's home, as in...they will have priority there... but, will they do the full conversion? I dunno. I gotta think they'd want the flexibility to have the 'extra practice floor' -- for basketball...esp when hosting conference tourny etc. And even IM games and such.

No offense to Betsy or the ladies but I personally would love to see them continue to play in Justice as well...but I know that isn't going to happen

[uncafan]

The season is still many months away, but what suggestions would you have for celebrating/ commemorating the last Men's and Women's Basketball game/season in the Justice Center prior to the move into Kimmel Arena?

Please remember that we will consider all suggestions but might not be able to put them all into action.

I agree that without video its tough... It was my understanding we will have video boards in the new arena though? To me the tougher thing is we may not have video of all the great moments...

I think (see above, assuming building stays same) it would be pretty awesome to go back and play a game in Justice every year? Maybe its just an exhibition game -- or its just the dunk contest/Jamming at the Justice etc. but that would be pretty cool.

Its sorta hard to recreate moments where we don't have video -- but if you have the radio calls you could still replay the 'top 10 moments' and maybe have some of the players appear on court? There are certainly ways to get creative...the radio calls may seem corny...but, assuming we get that lighting system I recall Janet said she'd try to get (:::cough:::).... Blackout the building, play the radio call and spotlight a key player/alum? Not quite the same chilling effect as video but still kinda cool...

Maybe do a fan vote for the top 5/10 moments of all time and reveal the top one during the last game? Announce an all 'justice center team for the men & women? Alumni/celebrity scrimmage before the game? Al'la NBA All-Star game? Shoot bring Kenny back for an appearance...that would get everyone juiced up.... It would help if we had a better idea of the possibilities? Are we for sure getting video boards in Kimmel? The lighting system going to be good (i.e. can we black the building out?)? And i guess the real question is -- what do we actually have video footage of? I seem to recall from the 25th aniv BSC thing there is some good stuff from when we went to NCAAs, gotta be good stuff from when the Women won a few years ago and went to NCAAs... I know there's video of the NIT year.... But there also have to be some gaps. Just thinking out loud but there are certainly a lot of ways to go with it.

[GoUNCA]

I wouldn't get hung up over video.

The history department (I assume) at one point put out some high quality and informative posters (hangings?) concerning Asheville's historical spots. There were some hanging in New Hall, so they can't be that old. I think a similar presentation medium could be used to highlight Justice events and people. There isn't a lot of concourse area, so it would allow us to change them over the course of the season and keep them fresh for those attending games. They would also be able to put them around the campus and help involve/inform the entire student body. It would be tasteful, fairly cheap, and much more "Justice Center" style than blacking out lights and such nonsense.

[uncafan]

I wouldn't get hung up over video.

The history department (I assume) at one point put out some high quality and informative posters (hangings?) concerning Asheville's historical spots. There were some hanging in New Hall, so they can't be that old. I think a similar presentation medium could be used to highlight Justice events and people. There isn't a lot of concourse area, so it would allow us to change them over the course of the season and keep them fresh for those attending games. They would also be able to put them around the campus and help involve/inform the entire student body. It would be tasteful, fairly cheap, and much more "Justice Center" style than blacking out lights and such nonsense.

Yeah i was speaking more towards ways to remember Justice -- obviously looking back once we're in the new building. I wouldn't expect any of that is possible in JC... You could do the radio calls or something like that.

No offense UNCA but seriously? a poster? I mean your right that would be classic asheville/JC -- i.e. cheap, corny and yet still a waste of money. I mean why not just print a sheet and stick it in the game program with a 'classic moment' described??? Save even more money.

[GoUNCA]

No offense UNCA but seriously? a poster? I mean your right that would be classic asheville/JC -- i.e. cheap, corny and yet still a waste of money. I mean why not just print a sheet and stick it in the game program with a 'classic moment' described??? Save even more money.

A poster doesn't have to mean a piece of white posterboard with photos stuck on it with a gluestick. Maybe signage better meets your presentation jargon desire. There are plenty of ways to present information professionally without it being in some technical format. A 6ft by 4 ft color graphic with quotes, photos, and information about an event that took place in the Justice Center would accomplish a lot within a smaller budget and limited presentation means. Give me a break, I am being realistic.

Maybe you're right though. Having the ability to rotate an informative and cost effective medium around the campus is completely moot anyway. Our campus population has a deep appreciation for the history that has occurred in the Justice Center. I guess we should create our own iPhone app that will call the user during the game and let them listen to the radio call.

Blackout the building, play the radio call and spotlight a key player/alum? Not quite the same chilling effect as video but still kinda cool...

I actually thought you weren't serious. I think you have us confused with High Point. Maybe we could get the key player/alum to stand in the spotlight with everything else blacked out while the dance team booty shakes and swirls glow sticks to the Ying Yang Twins. And we should hire the And1 announcers to come over the PA telling everyone how the player spotlighted helped to bring "the most jaw dropping, nastiest, Charlie the Choo Choo Justicing experience ever had on the Justice hard court! They called him tha professa! OHHHHHHHHHH! "

[kingaling42]

Voice... I'm curious as to what ideas are being generated by folks at UNCA & that are being seriously considered given whatever budget parameters are in place.. otherwise, while I appreciate the opportunity to make suggestions, I feel like we're doing some of the work that folks at UNCA actually get paid to do... maybe that's just me though...

[voice]

King- Thanks for asking. We are currently working through different ideas, several of which have been brought up on this site as well (great moments in building history, commemorative gift, honoring alumni and past teams, community receptions/ events, etc), but yes, you are right... budget will be a definite consideration. With an event and a new building like this one, there is not going to be a do-over. We only have one chance to do it the way the University, fans, staff, and alumni will be proud of. There have been plenty of arenas that have been closed with absolutely no fanfare, and there have been very over the top ceremonies for facilities. It is my hope that we find a place in the middle that suits all those involved.

Many of the people on this site have a greater knowledge and association with the programs and Justice Center than any new staff member, intern, non-Mike Gore, or non-Kevan Frazier could hope to have, so we are just trying to hear the suggestions on the front rather than not asking and missing a great opportunity for everyone. I personally think that is part of the University doing the work-- finding out what people would like to see. That includes the Board of Trustees, National Alumni Council, Bulldog Athletic Association Board, Students/ Dog Pound, Senior Staff, Athletic Department staff and coaches, and fans (like those on this forum).

[kingaling42]

Voice.. I do appreciate the opportunity to contribute ideas, it just helps to know what else is being considered/ruled out- thanks for the feedback!

Whatever UNCA does- I just hope that our last men's game in the JC is one which leads to the NCAA tourney.. then I don't care what we end up doing!! Granted all the other programs will complain ad nauseum about having to bear the tourney at such a small gym & the crying will ensue..

We have the ability, question will be do we have the players with enough talent, leadership & heart to make that happen??

[uncafan]

The only reason i post this here is because the new 'voice' doesn't seem to venture over to baseball....

Can someone perhaps enlighten me on the UNCA Twitter feed/account and how it all works?? As far as I can tell our marketing/PR staff has decided to ONLY update when Asheville wins. And definitely never responds to requests for info/scores, so when they lose -- we have to wait 6-12 hrs for the web-site to be updated. Except of course tonight...we're playing @ Tennessee and there have been play-by-play updates.... Not sure which is more annoying -- being bombarded with all this info when i logged in....or having ZERO info at all throughout the majority of the season?