MBB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Sabretooth Tiger]

From the Oxy website:  http://www.oxy.edu/x7040.xml

Rush Gym Gets Million-Dollar Makeover

June 13, 2008
Contact: Colleen Sharkey, (323) 259-1406


Frank "Speedy" Neill Rush

Next season, Occidental fans will have a whole new reason to cheer on Tiger athletic teams in Rush Gym. The facility is getting a $1.5-million facelift.

"When fans show up next year, they'll see new bleachers, a new floor, new paint, and new graphics," said Joe O'Hara, assistant director of plan, design and construction. "We're pretty excited about it."

Renovations began in early June with removal of the existing floor and old bleachers. Some demolition and electrical work will continue through June. The month of July will be dedicated to the leveling of the gym's sub-floor and the laying of the new floor. The gym roof will also be repaired to prevent leaks.

The total seating capacity in the renovated gym will be 1,451. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by mid-September.

Both Occidental's men's and women's basketball teams were 2008 SCIAC conference champions. Next season, the women's volleyball team will welcome new head coach, Mike Talamantes who has 12 years of high school coaching experience and over 400 career victories with 15 League Championships.

Built in 1965, the Frank Neill Rush Gymnasium honors a distinguished athlete and alumnus, Class of 1909. Rush, nicknamed "Speedy," played football and captained the track team before serving on the Occidental Board of Trustees for 48 years, including two terms as chairman.

[OxyFan21]

Are there any pictures of the renovation yet? 

[Sabretooth Tiger]

While I could guess that the staff is taking some shots, I'm not aware of anything public . . . the project has a lot of work to get done for completion . . . last I heard is sometime in early/mid September.


tooth

[OxyFan21]

They should put a link up on the website that shows the progress...

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Liveblogging from Taylor Pool on a hot so cal afternoon:

Looks like at least the first coat of paint has been applied in Rush Gym . . . very bright . . . fresh paint smell.  No sign of new bleachers or floor . . . which is good so long as the painting is underway.

Old wood hoops backboards have been taken down . . . don't know whether they'll be replaced with new glass boards as well . . . hope so.

OF21 . . . not sure a live cam would be worth the investment or nearly as interesting as with a new from the ground up building.

later,

tooth

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Article with update and photograph of Occidental's Rush Gym renovation project:

http://www.oxyathletics.com/othernews/061308RushGymReno

tooth

[Jack Parkman]

This could be really bad for the Beavers.

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jul/16/clu-hires-dow-as-new-womens-basketball-coach/

[Pat Coleman]

That's right, SCIAC on the front page folks.

[Gregory Sager]

This could be really bad for the Beavers.

PC also has the Roy Dow news on the front page:

Caltech coach makes move

While I'm sorry to see Coach Dow leave the men's side, I'm happy that he's still going to be in the SCIAC. The CLU women's program will no doubt improve under his guidance.

OxyBob

I agree. I'm happy to see Roy Dow make that move, for the sake of his sanity if nothing else. I wonder how many other basketball coaches in America would've stuck it out at Caltech for six full seasons, as he did. I also wonder how many other basketball coaches in America would've been able to match or surpass Dow's four wins at Caltech. I'm guessing that that number of coaches is smaller than a lot of people would think.

[Browneagle64]

Quick update on the state of Rush Gym:

After week's of stripping old paint, bleachers and the floor the working crew has 1) finished the roof, 2) have painted all the walls and 3) have now moved onto installing the new floor. More can be caught on Oxy's live feed of the construction on www..... oh wait, we don't have that capability.

edit: With all kidding aside: Oxy's athletic webpg: http://www.oxyathletics.com/landing/index   has an updated pic on what's going on in Rush Gym.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Today's moderate shaker did nothing to stop the progress being made in Rush . . . the crew was hard at work on the subflooring.

[Browneagle64]

Hey folks, Hope all of you are enjoying your summer time.

Heres a quick update on Rush Gym: After weeks of installing the sub-flooring, the top floor has now been installed. The oak like floor has yet to be painted, but just knowing that there is a new floor in Rush is all that matters.


edit: just when i thought that this project would take its time, i was wrong. The crew working on Rush Gym has started to paint the floor. It sure is looking good.

[Browneagle64]

As of the first week of september, Rush Gym's new look is almost completed and right on schedule for the lady Tigers V.B season opener. The hardwood floor has been painted and polished (btw, the new logo and pic of our tiger now don's the hardwood floor) and the bleachers are being erected. Looks like Oxy really made a good investment in getting this project going. 

[Browneagle64]

Hey Bob, I think someone  from the Oxy Athletic department has been reading this board since the summer when I playfuly suggested that we hold an auction to buy some historic memorablia. As of last week, the dept. will be conducting a 3-on-3 ball tourney to 1) allow alumni and friends of Oxy to play and try out the new bball court, 2) to raise money for the bball programs, and 3) to hold an auction. In saying that, word has it that your section that say's "Oxybob was here" will be auction item #183. Be on the look out since Snoopy will try to outbid you for this piece of equipment. lol.

[Hugenerd]

Interview with new CalTech Coach, Oliver Eslinger:

http://interviewbasketball.com/2008/10/09/oliver-eslinger/