In Dallas, Eddie Sefko reported one of the earthquakes that "recently shook the Dallas area did some minor damage to the Mavericks’ practice court in the basement of American Airlines Center." A small, but "clearly noticeable, crack was noticed in the middle of the court after one of the temblors." The Mavericks "will have it repaired as soon as possible," and there "was no further damage to the arena" (DALLASNEWS.com, 1/7).
ORANGE YOU GLAD HE'S AN ALUM? In New York, Nate Mink reports Syracuse Univ.'s new $14M indoor football practice facility "has a name" -- the Ensley Athletic Center -- "thanks to a multi-million dollar donation" by N.J.-based Leisure Merchandising Corp. CEO Cliff Ensley, a former three-sport letterman in football, lacrosse and wrestling at SU. Ensley "declined to provide the amount of his donation." He is a "longtime donor for the athletic department" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 1/8).
SOLAR SYSTEM: In Orlando, Mary Shanklin reported the ECHL Solar Bears "have submitted plans to build a new ice-hockey facility" in Winter Garden, Fla. The team currently "leases space at RDV Sportsplex" in Maitland, Fla. for practices (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/6).
