From the Saturday, March 8, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …
The WISCH LIST
By Dave Wischnowsky
Its name changed months ago, and now down in Champaign, State Farm Center is finally getting a facelift too – or, at least, the beginnings of one.
But come November 2016, once all the construction is slated to be finished and the University of Illinois’ venerable basketball arena has been fully renovated, there’s another time-honored institution that also should consider changing its identity by moving back into the place.
Yes, I’m looking at you, IHSA Boys’ State Basketball Tournament.
No offense, Peoria.
On Tuesday night, the Fighting Illini played their final home basketball game of the season. After it was over, a crew began pulling up the court at State Farm Center so work could begin on Phase I of the building’s $165 million renovation, which is scheduled to take three off-seasons to complete.
Last week, while speaking with radio hosts Jeremy Werner and Lon Tay on ESPN 93.5-FM in Champaign, Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas said that when State Farm Center reopens in November following Phase I, the arena’s “C” section will feature blue seats in place of its current dull gray ones. Additionally, the outer shells of a new “grand entrance” on the west side of the building and a secondary entrance on the east side will also have been constructed.
By the time project is finally completed in time for the 2016-17 season, “B” section will also have new blue seats, while the arena’s lower bowl, known as “A” section, will have been completely rebuilt and reconfigured with orange seating for the Orange Krush student section.
The new State Farm Center will also include areas for club seating and luxury boxes, central air-conditioning, hand railings in all aisles, and an upgraded scoreboard. The fully rehabbed concourse will include new concessions, expanded restrooms and a Hall of Fame.
Since its construction in 1963, the former Assembly Hall has stood as the premier amateur basketball arena in Illinois. Once renovations are complete, it just might be the state’s premier basketball arena, period.
But State Farm Center hasn’t played host to the state’s marquee amateur basketball tournament in nearly 20 years. And with the massive overhaul, it’s really time for that to change.
In 1995, the IHSA moved its boys’ basketball tournament from Champaign to Peoria, which I think has done a nice job hosting the tourney. But, nevertheless, I’ve always believed it’s belonged in Champaign.
As a high school student, I cheered on Bradley-Bourbonnais during both the 1992 and ’93 Elite Eight back when “Getting to the Hall” was a statewide rallying cry – and appeal. Because playing on the Big Ten court of the state’s flagship school simply held more aura than playing at Carver Arena.
Again, no offense, Peoria. It’s just the truth.
In 2015, the IHSA’s current six-year state tournament contract with Peoria expires. Clearly, with the renovation timeline, that’s too soon to bring the tourney back to State Farm Center, but it’s not too soon for U. of I. and the Champaign-Urbana community to develop a plan to lure it back.
On ESPN 93.5-FM, Thomas said he’d like to see the boys’ state tournament return to Champaign, but explained, “I think there are a couple of pieces [involved]. The university, as an athletic department, and also the community need to embrace it. It’s not just all about us [as a university]. It’s kind of two-headed monster, so to speak.”
And with those two heads, the university and community need to put them together and work with the IHSA to do what it takes to bring the state tournament back to its old home so everyone enjoy a brand new arena.