Alumnus makes gym floor possible
Campus Times
September 18, 1998
No more ugly green floors, no more confusing lines, and no more shin
splints from jumping on poly urethane atop of hard cement. The University
of La Verne starts off the 98-99 school year with a new state of the art
gym floor that is sure to dazzle the shoes that walk on it.
The new maple wood Bio-Channel 2 floor was installed this summer, as
the project began the first week of June and was finished by mid-August.
"It is absolutely beautiful," said Jim Paschal, athletics
director. "It puts us in a class with the best of institutions. The
difference is remarkable between the old floor and the new. It will not
only affect our players physically, but mentally as well, because we now
have the best floor in the conference."
The Bio-Channel 2 floor is built specifically to give more when players
jump on it making the risk of injury drastically reduced.
The estimated cost of the floor replacement is $147,000, not including
the other top floor remodeling that took place over the summer. The maple
wood floor was accessorized by new floor plates for volleyball courts, basketball
hoops, state of the art safety padding behind the hoops and floor ramps
to accommodate a foundation that is now three inches higher. The bleachers
were also refurbished for the first time in several years.
Altogether, the estimated cost of the top floor gym remodeling is $195,000.
The floor is simplified with lines layed out to accommodate only the
main basketball and volleyball courts, providing for a much less confusing
game.
The remodeling was made possible in part by a large donation of $125,000
in the name of Russell J. Frantz, an alumnus of ULV. The donation was made
by his widow Hazel Frantz. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for
more than 20 years, up until his death in 1992.
"We thought this project would be an appropriate one to put his
name on because he was very active in sports here at La Verne," said
Robert Earhart, associate vice president of University Relations. "He
played an important role in the growth of the University since then from
both a donation and leadership standpoint."
But the beauty does not come without its compromises. Along with the
new look, comes some new rules for players and spectators.
All players are required to wear appropriate athletic shoes when playing
on the court. Black soled shoes are not permitted, or shoes that have the
potential of marring the floor.
Perhaps the most surprising new rule is the banning of all food and
drinks in the gym.
"We need to change people's attitudes about how they treat the
gym. It is a beautiful floor and is of the highest performance quality.
We need to take pride in it," said Paschal.
Additionally, a floor cover was ordered to use during special events
like dinners, orientations and other occasions when the floor is not being
used for sporting purposes. The cover will provide protection against damage
to the maple wood.
More comfortable, safer and aesthetically appealing, the remodeled gym
creates another edge that makes the Leopards a cut above the competition.
