MORGANTOWN —
Did you know that it cost only $10 million to construct the West Virginia University’s Coliseum in 1970?
Today, experts are estimating that the same structure would cost $60 million or so to build. So WVU certainly has gotten more than its money’s worth for nearly 43 years of use.
Think of all the basketball games played in there by men and women, plus wrestling matches, gymnastics meets and volleyball, as well as a few other sports.
Physical education classes also have used the Coliseum for classes and activities, and there are numerous other events, both athletically and academically.
In its early years, that structure also was utilized as the site of the State High School Basketball Tournaments.
And the 14,000-seating capacity still compares favorably with that of most college facilities — including those at other Big 12 Conference institutes.
Hopefully, WVU can use the same Coliseum for at least several more years to come with renovations. Especially now that it has that wonderful state-of-the-art basketball practice facility that cost a cool $37 million or so — nearly four times the cost of the Coliseum construction.
Think of all the great basketball victories posted therein, the thrills and spills and, of course, the heartbreaking losses now and then.
oooooo
Congratulations go out to Zach Spiker, who in his fourth season as head men’s basketball mentor at Army, has been named Patriot League’s Coach of the Year.
Coming off the Black Knights’ most successful regular season in 28 years, the Morgantown native is just the third Army coach to earn a conference Coach of the Year honor.
He guided the Black Knights to a 15-14 record — Army’s best regular-season mark in 28 years.
Army won a program-record eight Patriot League games and enters the postseason as the No. 4 seed, which matches its highest finish since the conference’s formation in 1990-91.
A win in the tournament’s Patriot League quarterfinals would clinch its first winning season since 1984-85.
Spiker, the son of John and Sabra Spiker of Morgantown, became the first Army coach since Mike Krzyzewski to win back-to-back “Star” games versus arch-rival Navy, and scored the program’s first Star game victory in Annapolis since 1992.
Spiker, who is 36, presided over the Army’s first regular-season sweeps of American U. and Holy Cross.
He is one of only four Army coaches to win at least 50 games (52) in their first four seasons.
Kyle Wilson of Army was the unanimous choice as the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year.
Zach and wife Jenn have three young sons: Charlie, Tucker and Henry.
Mrs. Spiker was an assistant soccer coach for 11 years at WVU.
WVU Sports
FURFARI- WVU Coliseum worth the cost
- WVU Sports
-
-
FURFARI COLUMN: Chuck Howley greatest all-around WVU athlete
Chuck Howley’s greatest fame came in football at West Virginia University and then with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
However, making the Wheeling native even more distinguished is the fact he is the only five-sport letterman in WVU athletic history. -
HERTZEL COLUMN: McCartney getting his second chance
There is a familiar saying that carries much weight around the West Virginia University football program.
“If at first you don’t succeed …” -
Musgrave, errors push WVU past TCU
In its second game of pool play at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, the West Virginia University baseball team trumped TCU, 10-3, as the Horned Frogs committed a Big 12 Championship record nine errors in the contest.
-
HERTZEL COLUMN: Jarrod West treasures time with his family
It came along too late to do me any good, but today I want to offer a very warm thank you to Jarrod West, the one-time West Virginia University basketball hero.
-
WVU in eight-team Cancun Challenge field
West Virginia University’s basketball team will be in a field with seven other teams in the 2013 Men’s Cancun Challenge, played at the all-inclusive Aventura Palace resort near Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
-
Kansas pitcher Taylor shuts down Mountaineers
In its first game of pool play against Kansas at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship, the West Virginia University baseball team was defeated, 7-2.
-
HERTZEL COLUMN: Big 12 baseball tournament is about America
All of a sudden the Big 12’s annual baseball tournament is more about America and the American way than it is about baseball.
And that makes it a wonderful thing. -
Musgrave to pitch WVU’s second game
West Virginia University baseball coach Randy Mazey believes that the change in format of the Big 12 Tournament will benefit his Mountaineers because it allows him to hold conference Pitcher of the Year Harrison Musgrave until the key second game of the tournament.
-
HERTZEL COLUMN: Bill Stewart is missed, remembered
It was Monday, the first anniversary of Bill Stewart’s sudden death while playing the 16th hole of a charity golf tournament with West Virginia University’s former athletic director and his former boss, Ed Pastilong.
-
Miles granted release from WVU
Junior forward Keaton Miles, who suffered through a disappointing sophomore season as West Virginia fell below .500, has been granted a release and will seek a transfer, according to published reports.
- More WVU Sports Headlines
-
FURFARI COLUMN: Chuck Howley greatest all-around WVU athlete
