Generations of UConn success stories have been launched at Gampel Pavilion over the past three decades \u2013 not only among UConn student athletes, but also tens of thousands of Huskies who\u2019ve participated in orientation events, career fairs, and their Commencement ceremonies there.<\/p>\n
And while legends of all kinds of have had their start crossing that storied court, the 33-year-old wood floor is reaching the end of its useful life and will be replaced after spring semester with a new maple surface.<\/p>\n
The floor was installed shortly before Gampel opened in January 1990 and has been sanded and refinished annually to keep it in playable condition — even as UConn teams have garnered 15 national championships between the men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball teams, and two Big East championships for UConn volleyball.<\/p>\n
However, the court has reached the end of its useful life and cannot be further sanded, and needs to be replaced before the 2023-24 basketball and volleyball seasons begin next autumn.<\/p>\n
The Board of Trustees recently approved the project, which will entail removing the wood flooring, inspecting and repairing the subfloor, installing the new maple floor, and finishing it with sanding and final painting.<\/p>\n
Playing courts in athletics facilities like Gampel include special features such as a certain amount of \u201cgive\u201d in the subfloor to prevent overly jarring impacts on athletes\u2019 joints and muscles. They also must have the appropriate markings, approved school logos, and other NCAA-compliant standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cGampel Pavilion is one of the great college basketball venues in the country with so many Husky greats having taken that court, creating countless signature moments during the last 33 years,\u201d UConn Athletic Director David Benedict says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe time has come for that legendary hardwood to be replaced as we continue to keep our focus on maintaining our facilities at the highest level so we can provide our coaches and student-athletes the tools they need to compete for championships,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no better time to be a part of UConn Nation, as our nationally ranked men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball programs are in the midst of great seasons and looking to close out this era of the historic Gampel Pavilion court with a few more championship memories.\u201d<\/p>\n