TicketsMay 8, 2006
As the of prepares to embark on a new chapter in its athletics history, it will be anchored by the development of the . The crown jewel of the village, the , will be dedicated during special grand opening ceremonies planned for May 12th and 13th. In the coming weeks, UCBearcats.com will look at each of the new or upgraded facilities housed within . The next facility featured is Fifth Third Arena.
Fifth Third Arena has been providing the Bearcats with a tremendous home-court advantage for 17 seasons. The 13,178-seat arena is home to 's men's and women's basketball teams as well as its volleyball team.
"It is an impressive and intimidating place to play as a visitor," head women's coach Laurie Pirtle said. "And for our kids, when you have a lot of pride in something, you tend to protect it more. That's how we feel about Fifth Third Arena."
The Bearcat men have put together a 235-34 record at home since the building opened in 1989-90. The women's squad is 166-86 during that same period, while the volleyball team has compiled a 135-56 mark on its home floor.
Opposing coaches also have been impressed with the frenzied atmosphere in the arena. After second-ranked Villanova came to town in February, head coach Jay Wright's first visit to Fifth Third, he came away astounded.
"You see the place on television, you see the fans, it's a great college basketball atmosphere," the 2006 BIG EAST Coach of the Year said. "This environment is as good as anywhere in the BIG EAST."
The ambiance surrounding an event at Fifth Third Arena is unrivaled in college athletics. Not only are there great seats in an intimate setting near the court, but the arena features 16 private executive suites and a restaurant and lounge overlooking the action. The new video replay and display board at midcourt gives fans an excellent view of all the highlights, while the two video boards on either end of the arena creative a festive atmosphere.
The rich history of the basketball and volleyball programs is well-represented throughout the arena. A statue of Oscar Robertson stands outside, while the south wall is decorated with men's basketball championship banners and the retired jerseys of Bearcat legends Robertson, Jack Twyman and Kenyon Martin. The north wall recognizes women's basketball and volleyball championships and UC's All-Americans.
The project is complete and UC has a wealth of pristine athletics facilities to serve the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans. Fifth Third Arena can be looked at as the foundation of that metamorphosis.
"I think Fifth Third Arena was the beginning stages of ," Pirtle said. "We've built out from it to match its incredible elite status."
The arena, combined with UC's entrance into the BIG EAST Conference helps UC's coaching staffs recruit elite student-athletes.
"The will definitely help with the recruiting of high school athletes from and the rest of the country," head volleyball coach Reed Sunahara stated. "The facilities that our athletes will have access to will be top notch and comparable to any volleyball program in the country."
Men's basketball coach Mick Cronin has signed six student-athletes since being named the school's 26th head coach on March 23, 2006. He sees as a main reason for prospects to choose UC.
"The has it all for our student-athletes, and all centrally located," said Cronin, a '97 graduate of UC. "Our basketball players will be able to practice, condition, have their athletic training needs met, and take care of their academic responsibilities in the new academic center, without walking from one building to another."
The level of success attained by the basketball and volleyball programs will no doubt be used as a measuring stick for the rest of the athletics programs at UC. and the new facilities provide a means for all teams to improve and challenge for championships.