With all the new additions to the UTM University Center this summer, students can also expect a change of scenery when it comes to Skyhawk athletics this season.
In April the university began its new construction on the Skyhawk Fieldhouse gym floor. The original floor had been home to the Skyhawk woman’s volleyball team and Skyhawks’ generations since the 1960s.
The floor was well past due for repairs from damages caused by multiple water issues that included several leaks and a malfunctioning water pump. The damages caused the floor to buckle and form waves and ripples. After the floor was cut open, further clues suggested the damage was gradual and occurred over time.
“The irreversible damage done to the floor wasn’t conducive to a quality competitive environment for our Skyhawks, but more importantly the safety of our players began to come into question due to the possibility of the floor affecting the athletes’ ankles and knees,” Coach Darrin McClure said.
Skyhawk volleyball will soon have a new floor design created by UTM and McClure. The design will consist of a new UTM navy blue and wood grain color-way. McClure, who has been the Skyhawk head coach since 2008, welcomes the new floor. He along with the volleyball players and staff hope this new stage will help usher in a new era of Skyhawk volleyball, which has seen four OVC post season appearances in the past six years, with a close win in 2011 when they lost in the semis.
“We are just thankful for the new floor, we hope we get a chance to create new traditions for Skyhawk volleyball,” McClure said.
The 2014 Skyhawk volleyball home opener is September 2, against Alabama A&M. The Skyhawks will also host its first tournament on the new floor September 12-13. Other schools scheduled to attend the tournament are Valparaiso University, Western Carolina University and Drake University, which will be the Skyhawks’ first meeting with the school.
No date has been set at this time for the floors completion, but the team is optimistic about the deadline being in mid June. Along with the excitement of the new floor, the team will also be receiving a new team locker room.
