Schottenstein + Scoonie = success? What do you get when you cross one of the biggest names in college athletics with a brand-spanking new arena? Ohio State is about to find out. When the Buckeyes take the court against Oakland tomorrow night, it'll be at the Value City Arena, a part of the $106.5 million Jerome Schottenstein Center. The center, which seats 19,500 fans for basketball games, is complete with one toilet for every 47 spectators, 5,652 light fixtures and 12 miles of refrigerated piping (the arena is also used for hockey). Cement trucks poured 3,888 full loads of cement during construction, and there are 52 luxury suites that can be reserved for a mere $45,000 a year. "In my mind, I can't imagine a nicer on-campus facility in the country," Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien said. "I'm ecstatic to be playing in the new center." And, even though the Buckeyes haven't played a game in the Schottenstein Center yet, it's already paying dividends. "All three (of our new recruits) committed after unofficial visits, and I'm sure the building had something to do with that," O'Brien said. But the Schottenstein Center likely won't see a winner just yet. The Buckeyes finished dead last in the Big Ten last year, with a 1-15 record, and 8-22 overall. | |
|
