Basketball team takes Florida detour
Piedmont Lions visit University of Florida on way to Lakeland tournament
by Samuel Coppage
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: Sports
It may seem harsh to know that the Piedmont men’s basketball team had the misfortune of leaving warm and cozy homes for frigid and uninviting dorm rooms only one day after Christmas.
However, it may also seem unfair to know that we had the privilege of making a quick pit stop at the University of Florida on our way to a tournament in Lakeland.
We won both tournament games at Southeastern University.
Once on the palm tree-filled campus, we stopped at the O’Connell Center, the Gators’ basketball arena.
Once inside, the first thing I noticed was the two national championship banners from 2006 and 2007.
The last time this feat was accomplished was 1991-92 by Duke University.
The next stop on our journey took us to Bill Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as The Swamp.
Upon entering the stadium, we darted immediately to the field in hopes of standing and maybe, just maybe, throwing a pass or two where legends have played.
Our final destination was the Florida Basketball Practice Complex.
This $10 million, 47,505 square-foot facility has everything from a showcase for trophies, a 1,900 square foot weight room, locker rooms and lounge areas equipped with XBOX 360s.
Even the chairs located in the film room are top of the line; they’re more comfortable than the bed I sleep in every night.
So don’t feel bad for us. You may have had your stomachs stuffed full of turkey and ham, sitting snugly by a fire, but did you get to see head basketball coach Billy Donovan for two seconds?
I don’t think so.
However, it may also seem unfair to know that we had the privilege of making a quick pit stop at the University of Florida on our way to a tournament in Lakeland.
We won both tournament games at Southeastern University.
Once on the palm tree-filled campus, we stopped at the O’Connell Center, the Gators’ basketball arena.
Once inside, the first thing I noticed was the two national championship banners from 2006 and 2007.
The last time this feat was accomplished was 1991-92 by Duke University.
The next stop on our journey took us to Bill Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as The Swamp.
Upon entering the stadium, we darted immediately to the field in hopes of standing and maybe, just maybe, throwing a pass or two where legends have played.
Our final destination was the Florida Basketball Practice Complex.
This $10 million, 47,505 square-foot facility has everything from a showcase for trophies, a 1,900 square foot weight room, locker rooms and lounge areas equipped with XBOX 360s.
Even the chairs located in the film room are top of the line; they’re more comfortable than the bed I sleep in every night.
So don’t feel bad for us. You may have had your stomachs stuffed full of turkey and ham, sitting snugly by a fire, but did you get to see head basketball coach Billy Donovan for two seconds?
I don’t think so.
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