NIU Athletics and the NIU Convocation Center unveiled a new basketball floor and court design Tuesday. The new surface is just the second for the Huskies in the Convocation Center, replacing the original floor that debuted with the building in 2002.
Along with a new court design, the new floor also includes increased padding to help cushion players when they run and decrease the wear and tear on the bodies of student-athletes.
“I love that we’re getting a new floor and I think that will generate excitement for the upcoming season,” said NIU women’s basketball coach Kathi Bennett. “It’s exciting for me personally as well because in my previous 26 years of coaching, I’ve never had the chance to coach on a brand new home floor.”
“Anytime you have something new in your program it is exciting,” said NIU men’s basketball head coach Mark Montgomery. “I think it is great that we are going to have a new floor with a new look and I am excited to get the new season started.”
The new surface comes to NIU from Connor Sports Flooring and was originally used during the 2014 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. NIU’s old floor was traded in with Connor Sports. The new court was designed by Praters Flooring Designs. The majority of the floor is black in color.
