Flowers Hall thoughts

[unafied]

Obviously we hope our basketball teams each have a few more games this season, but with things winding down, I wanted to take a minute to appreciate the "new" Flowers Hall. 

We have criticized the AD and University for several issues over the past year, but I think they did some really good things with the Flowers renovation. When all of the nonsense about the "ag arena" was being talked about, I admit that I had some doubts as to whether Flowers could ever be a serviceable D1 arena. It isn't perfect, but just look at the pics below. They aren't taken from the exact same angle, but it's close, almost one year apart. 2018 on top, 2019 on bottom. That's a pretty incredible transformation IMO. The "hospitality area" seems to be finished now and really gives the place a modern feel. The new paint job freshened things up, even if I might prefer more gold to be mixed in. And needless to say, the seating is a 1000% upgrade from what we used to have. 

I can only think of three real issues I'd like to see improved from here: 

• Restrooms upstairs: this speaks for itself. The restrooms downstairs are cramped and outdated. The majority of seating is upstairs. I'm not saying it would be easy, but it seems there would be room behind some of the seating upstairs to have this done. 
• Some kind of barrier on the upstairs railing. My 3 y/o was dancing close to the railing, having a good time, but we had to watch her like a hawk to make sure she didn't get too close. I wonder if some clear plastic/glass panels could be installed? It just feels dangerous. 
• This one is obvious, but PLEASE bring back the pep band. For the second time on Saturday, I attended a game this year without even hearing our fight song. I get that the piped-in music is probably what the players prefer, and maybe it helps with recruits, I don't know. But the atmosphere is just missing so much without the live band there. 

Long-term, I think it might be nice to build a more impressive front entrance/main concourse area. Perhaps an expanded concession stand to go along with it. But what we have now is serviceable. 

One more thing - I noticed on the front of the building, the gold "U N A" lettering had been painted over with all purple. Anybody know what's going on there? Maybe just prepping for a new coat of paint? Just please don't replace the gold letters with white  .

[brandon]

It is nice now, the bathrooms need to be addressed first and foremost.

I have talked to a couple of people from different schools just to see what their opinions are and it is unanimous, the only complaint is bathrooms.

My only concern going forward is student participation. Out of 7k+ students, seems like we can find 1500 to 2000 that are willing to regularly be in the student section. Offer rewards or something. I'll take 500 at this point.

[unafied]

Mar 4, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -6 brandon said:

It is nice now, the bathrooms need to be addressed first and foremost.

I have talked to a couple of people from different schools just to see what their opinions are and it is unanimous, the only complaint is bathrooms.

My only concern going forward is student participation. Out of 7k+ students, seems like we can find 1500 to 2000 that are willing to regularly be in the student section. Offer rewards or something. I'll take 500 at this point.

I agree on the students. It was disappointing to see, what... maybe FIFTEEN there on Saturday? At least in the "student section" on the floor. I get that women's basketball isn't "cool" for a lot of people. I used to feel that way, too. But our team is darn good, and deserve to have some support. Even a loud 100 would be a start. 

Heck, I wish I had went to more games when I was a student. I worked 40 hours a week in addition to my classes and was lucky to make a few football games. Basketball games were almost never possible. I think a lot of kids don't realize until later on what they missed out on. Especially when attending is free!

[unalions]

Love the before and after pics! Thanks!

Kudos to AD Linder and the administration and a big thanks to donors! I mainly give in love and social media likes. Lol. Glad there are folks that can give big sums to our programs.

The men's game with Lipscomb drew only about half of what a UAH game was drawing. But, it still seemed like an improved atmosphere for that game (at least from the broadcast). Having their cheerleaders there beside their bench kinda gave them a section and they definitely got into the game. That rivalry will grow over time.

I'm overall optimistic about our basketball programs.

[catscratchfever4]

Mar 4, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -6 brandon said:

It is nice now, the bathrooms need to be addressed first and foremost.

I have talked to a couple of people from different schools just to see what their opinions are and it is unanimous, the only complaint is bathrooms.

My only concern going forward is student participation. Out of 7k+ students, seems like we can find 1500 to 2000 that are willing to regularly be in the student section. Offer rewards or something. I'll take 500 at this point.

It would be nice if they could go with acrylic rails. This looks awful. You can't tell where the railing ends and the game begins. Just a mess to try to see through. Of course right now there are plenty of other places to sit.

[tuna85]

👍👍👍Pep Band👍👍👍 What can be done to increase crowd size on the lower level? This is what shows up on games being streamed and it makes the house look empty. I think more people would be at games if folks felt like more people were there than what shows up on the lower level. As far as Flowers goes, I think it looks good. Well done!

[unafied]

Mar 5, 2019 16:43:30 GMT -6 tuna85 said:

👍👍👍Pep Band👍👍👍 What can be done to increase crowd size on the lower level? This is what shows up on games being streamed and it makes the house look empty. I think more people would be at games if folks felt like more people were there than what shows up on the lower level. As far as Flowers goes, I think it looks good. Well done!

I’ve wondered about the lower level, too. From what I understand, there are three “groups” sitting down there visible to the camera: students on the right, visiting fans on the left, Sportsman’s Club members in the center (and on the whole opposite side, I think?). 

Getting more students to fill their section should be a priority, however that can be done. 

Visiting fans will likely be sparse unless we’re playing Lipscomb. I’d prefer to put them on the other side of the court. But, I think they’re where they are to have them behind their team’s bench. I’m guessing this won’t change. 

I understand the court side seating is an incentive to be in the Sportsman’s Club. I’m sure we’d all be a member if finances allowed it (I honestly don’t even know how much it costs). However, if there simply aren’t getting enough people to fill the seats, maybe they should evaluate things on a yearly basis. Perhaps next year SC seating is only on the side opposite the camera, and some sort of new tier of seating is opened on the camera side between the students and visiting fans.

I believe the pep band used to sit on the floor, right? IF they bring it back, I suppose you could always use them to fill some lowers. I think the better thing to do would be to eventually have them in the “endzone” general admission. I think that would help them be heard better throughout the building. 

[tuna85]

Mar 5, 2019 18:25:08 GMT -6 unafied said:

Mar 5, 2019 16:43:30 GMT -6 tuna85 said:

👍👍👍Pep Band👍👍👍 What can be done to increase crowd size on the lower level? This is what shows up on games being streamed and it makes the house look empty. I think more people would be at games if folks felt like more people were there than what shows up on the lower level. As far as Flowers goes, I think it looks good. Well done!

I’ve wondered about the lower level, too. From what I understand, there are three “groups” sitting down there visible to the camera: students on the right, visiting fans on the left, Sportsman’s Club members in the center (and on the whole opposite side, I think?). 

Getting more students to fill their section should be a priority, however that can be done. 

Visiting fans will likely be sparse unless we’re playing Lipscomb. I’d prefer to put them on the other side of the court. But, I think they’re where they are to have them behind their team’s bench. I’m guessing this won’t change. 

I understand the court side seating is an incentive to be in the Sportsman’s Club. I’m sure we’d all be a member if finances allowed it (I honestly don’t even know how much it costs). However, if there simply aren’t getting enough people to fill the seats, maybe they should evaluate things on a yearly basis. Perhaps next year SC seating is only on the side opposite the camera, and some sort of new tier of seating is opened on the camera side between the students and visiting fans.

I believe the pep band used to sit on the floor, right? IF they bring it back, I suppose you could always use them to fill some lowers. I think the better thing to do would be to eventually have them in the “endzone” general admission. I think that would help them be heard better throughout the building. 

Wonder if it would help if visitor and even SC seats (if they don't show up) could be considered open seating after the opening period. If you are a player, it's the lower seating fans you see. Pretty sure the players see what the streamers see. Be nice to inspire the players with a full lower level and a rousing pep band. Same would probably be a bit intimidating for a visiting team.