2008 Woodie Awards
Preparations set for NCAAs
SAM STEINBERG
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports
The chances of the three-day NCAA Gymnastics Championships being disrupted by weather are slim to none.
The probability of Stegeman Coliseum being hit by a tornado is even smaller.
But as the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament showed, it's not out of the question.
"It is a small chance but it is not zero," said Pam Knox, assistant state climatologist. "Any major sports venue in the Southeast has a chance of being hit by a tornado."
The forecast for the championships predicts some clouds on Thursday and Friday, and scattered thunderstorms on Saturday. The University Physical Plant is in charge of upkeep of the 44-year-old building due to the building's classification as a "resident-instruction facility."
Don Tadlock, a director at the University Physical Plant, said the building is in good condition for the championships.
"We have been holding gymnastics, men's and women's basketball and I can assure you that we work hard to accommodate our customers," Tadlock said. "I don't know of any problems that would cause us not to hold the event."
Tadlock said Stegeman's roof is scheduled for a routine re-coating project later this year after the completion of a competitive bidding process. The project is expected to cost the University more than $160,000.
If there is problem with Stegeman during the championships, the decision for what to do falls to the NCAA Gymnastics Committee, a group of officials from schools around the country.
"If the Coliseum was no longer available, the biggest concerns would be an available facility and the meet apparatus," said Assistant Athletic Director for Event Management Matt Brachowski.
Many of the most attractive places are booked. The Arena at Gwinnett and Philips Arena have concerts over the three-day period.
Georgia Tech or South Carolina would seem to be a great fit on paper, but neither school has a varsity gymnastics program, so equipment would have to be moved in.
Brachowski said moving is not an easy task considering "issues with television, spectator seating and travel arrangements, among others."
The probability of Stegeman Coliseum being hit by a tornado is even smaller.
But as the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament showed, it's not out of the question.
"It is a small chance but it is not zero," said Pam Knox, assistant state climatologist. "Any major sports venue in the Southeast has a chance of being hit by a tornado."
The forecast for the championships predicts some clouds on Thursday and Friday, and scattered thunderstorms on Saturday. The University Physical Plant is in charge of upkeep of the 44-year-old building due to the building's classification as a "resident-instruction facility."
Don Tadlock, a director at the University Physical Plant, said the building is in good condition for the championships.
"We have been holding gymnastics, men's and women's basketball and I can assure you that we work hard to accommodate our customers," Tadlock said. "I don't know of any problems that would cause us not to hold the event."
Tadlock said Stegeman's roof is scheduled for a routine re-coating project later this year after the completion of a competitive bidding process. The project is expected to cost the University more than $160,000.
If there is problem with Stegeman during the championships, the decision for what to do falls to the NCAA Gymnastics Committee, a group of officials from schools around the country.
"If the Coliseum was no longer available, the biggest concerns would be an available facility and the meet apparatus," said Assistant Athletic Director for Event Management Matt Brachowski.
Many of the most attractive places are booked. The Arena at Gwinnett and Philips Arena have concerts over the three-day period.
Georgia Tech or South Carolina would seem to be a great fit on paper, but neither school has a varsity gymnastics program, so equipment would have to be moved in.
Brachowski said moving is not an easy task considering "issues with television, spectator seating and travel arrangements, among others."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Kupets Fan
posted 4/25/08 @ 12:38 AM EST
Today I picked up the Red and Black, and saw the biggest waste of space ever. A whole article devoted to a non-event. No, the championship will not be hit by a tornado. (Continued…)
Kupets Fan
posted 4/25/08 @ 12:56 AM EST
Today I picked up the Red and Black, and saw the biggest waste of space ever. A whole article devoted to a non-event. No, the championship will not be hit by a tornado. (Continued…)
Post a Comment