TCU’s renovated basketball arena "will have a new name" when it opens in November -- the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena, according to Carlos Mendez of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. The new name "replaces Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, used since the facility opened in 1961 and named for board member Milton Daniel and football coach Dutch Meyer." Their names "remain as part of the Daniel-Meyer Athletic Complex, which includes the arena, practice facility and football stadium." TCU AD Chris Del Conte on Thursday thanked Ed Schollmaier, the retired CEO of Alcon Laboratories, for his contributions to a project that started at $30M and is "now close" to $80M. The Schollmaiers, "longtime basketball boosters, also donated money to build the basketball practice facility" in '04. Del Conte promised that the renovated facility "would be 'the finest in the Big 12' because of its amenities, Hall of Fame and trophy display area, locker room, coaches’ offices, club and lounge." The arena "remains on schedule to open in time for the start of the season" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/31). In San Antonio, Tim Griffin noted the facade of the new building "will architecturally complement" TCU's football home, Amon G. Carter Stadium, as well as the rest of the campus. Other changes "will include a lower playing surface to accommodate more courtside seating, wider concourses and multiple new public entries." Additional amenities will include "new concession stands, a food court and restrooms as well as increased points of sale, a courtside club lounge and new offices for TCU coaches and administrators" (MYSANANTONIO.com, 7/30).
