by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Two events during the past college basketball season convinced the administration at Jacksonville University it was time to start playing basketball games Downtown again: an overflow crowd at Swisher Gym for the men’s game against the University of North Florida and seeing a packed Arena for the NCAA basketball tournament with the JU logo front and center.
Tuesday, the Arlington school announced the men’s team would play all but two of its games in the Arena while the women will play four as part of a double-header with the guys. Both Dolphins coaches say the move is the best thing to happen to either program in years.
“I am relieved,” said men’s head coach Cliff Warren. “Now we have a chance to compete. This is by far the best facility in the Atlantic Sun.”
Through much of the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, the Dolphins played in the old Coliseum, which for years was a state-of-the-art facility. When it was demolished to make way for the new Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, the team moved its home games to the on-campus Swisher Gym, perhaps one of the most out-dated gyms in the country.
Women’s head coach Jill Dunn knows the men’s history of playing Downtown and the effect that playing in a top-notch facility can have on recruiting and the psyche of a team.
“This may be a men’s reunion, but I call it our inaugural season,” she said.
According to SMG general Manager Bob Downey, it will cost about $12,000-$15,000 per game for JU to play 11 of its 13 home games (two will remain at Swisher, against Mercer on Jan. 18 and Stetson on Jan. 20) in the Arena. Downey said SMG may not make any money on the games, but it won’t lose any either.
“Our goal is to make enough to cover the costs to get set up for basketball, take away the court and staff the games,” said Downey. “Their expenses will cover the costs.”
He also said the games are JU’s to promote.
“Our function is not to promote the events but manage the facility,” said Downey. “We operate with City money. We are not promoters.”
Athletic Director Alan Verlander said the move to the Arena is just one way he’s making good on a promise to both Warren and Dunn.
“I promised the coaches we would upgrade things,” said Verlander, adding that the move is also consistent with the desire of City officials to make Downtown a destination.
“This is a great opportunity for our basketball programs and it gives us a great recruiting advantage,” said Verlander.
There is also speculation that SMG is negotiating with the University of Florida to play one home game here this season as well as with the NBA to bring a preseason game to the Arena.