Univ. of Texas officials have "decided to build a new on-campus basketball facility" and will "probably do so in the parking lot south of the Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field, which is more easily accessible for the athletes and students," according to Kirk Bohls of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. UT "needs to replace the Erwin Center southeast of campus to make room for the expanding UT Dell Medical School." The 16,540-seat basketball arena has "served as the home for the Longhorns men's and women's basketball teams" since '77. The new facility "could be used to host other events and shows." UT President Greg Fenves said that men's basketball coach Shaka Smart and women's coach Karen Aston "prefer an on-campus arena to make it easier for students to travel there from their dorms, classes and practices." A source said that though there was "no official timetable for the change," it could take "almost as long as four years to complete the project from blueprint to bricks" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 4/8).
PRESSURE COOKER: In Austin, Brian Davis wrote it is "time for Texas to start acting like Texas again." A "project of this magnitude is one that will shape legacies and perceptions for decades to come." UT "isn't just building a new basketball arena." This is a "massive undertaking that will come to symbolize whether UT officials value their own brand, the importance of athletics, the collegiate experience and the university's role in the Austin community for the second half of the 21st century." Unfortunately "in today's society, few will credit Fenves if UT builds a world-class medical school on his watch." But they will "never forgive him if the school botches the basketball arena construction." There are "far too many unanswered questions at this point; it's still too early in the process." All that is known is UT "must demolish the 39-year-old Erwin Center to make way for Dell Medical School expansion." UT "would look small with a 10,000-seat venue." But 16,000 "might be too big." This new facility "must hold UT commencement ceremonies, concerts and other events, too." And it "needs luxury suites, a club level for donors and the other accouterments normally associated with a top-shelf venue" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 4/9).
