Vandy's Arena

[CochiseCowbell]

Memorial Collesium?

I've never heard any explanation to why it's set up the way it is.

 

[bruiser.sixpack]

I think it used to be an indoor Olympic Pool, so to convert it for basketball they had to create an elevated floor about 4 feet higher than the lowest row of seats. So for the fans sitting courtside to be looking at the players feet, they had to put the benches on the ends.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

According to Wikipedia (never trust nobody)

Memorial Gym is well known for its unusual design. The end-of-the-floor bench location is now unique in major college basketball, and said to give Vanderbilt a home court advantage, since no other facility in which opponents play is arranged in such a way. The interior walls were unpainted cinder blocks prior to a major renovation in the early 2000s. The middle of the three decks has a low ceiling and when the house lights are turned off during game play gives the distinct impression of watching a Cinemascope movie of basketball.For many years opposing coaches complained they had to coach their team from the baseline, making it very tough to communicate from the other end of the floor. This was due to the placement of the team benches on the baselines. However, beginning in the 2015-16 season, coaches were given typical coaching boxes that ran up the sideline, as in every other college gym. Now, even though their teams are still on the baseline, the coaches have the ability to roam the sideline up to the end of a regulation NCAA coaching box​

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

Because they think they are smarter than everybody else.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

It’s a bizarre place to watch a game in person. Went there in 04 and sat in the first balcony. The next level above is right above your head and if you’re standing and someone shoots a three, the ball disappears from sight. It’s nuts.

 

[Dawgpile]

Dunno why it's the way it is, but it's a dump.

 

[Drewbowski]

I never heard that it housed an indoor pool but have heard it was an opera house.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Neil just said that from where they're sitting they can't see the 3 line at the other end of the court. So odd.

 

[wpmusm]

Google UT-Arlington's Texas Hall. Maybe the only venue that has a weirder setup than Vanderbilt. But they moved to a new arena a few years ago.

 

[jakldawg]

Had great seats for our game there in 03. Mid-court, sixth row. Since the lower part of the arena has such a low slope (plus the raised court) our eyes were lined up with the players' shins. And sine we were decked out in maroon in the heart of the Vandy alums, we had to show our tickets every time we even thought about going somewhere.

I think Minnesota's court used to be the same set-up.

 

[Moe Cabelle]

I was there and it struck me as an opera house.