The Observer, February 15, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 17
Throwback Weekend will showcase unique venue
The Athletic Department will pull a Marty McFly and go back in time this weekend.
Today and Sunday, the men's and women's basketball teams will play at the Adelbert Gym in replica uniforms commemorating the Western Reserve Red Cats, Case Rough Riders, and Mather College. They'll also be playing in front of a number of alumni and probably some current students, depending on the weather.
Unless you're interested in clothes, the most unique aspect of Throwback Weekend is the venue. All the rest of Case's home games are played at the bland but convenient Horsburgh Gym in the Veale Center. The former home of WRU's basketball program, Adelbert Gym is the opposite.
The building was finished in 1919 with the original intention of using it for World War I training programs. "I remember visiting Adelbert when I first came to Case," said athletic director Dave Diles. "You get a strong sense of history and nostalgia when you're there." Diles brought the idea to Case from his former job at Eastern Michiga, where he coordinated a one-game return to that school's "old" gym. However, the event wasn't marketed as a throwback game.
Adelbert is currently used primarily for club and intramural teams. But that could change in the future (maybe a Throw-ahead Weekend is in order to find out for sure). The Athletic Department is discussing making Adelbert the future home of Case's basketball programs. "It's a remarkably attractive place to play," said Diles.
Case coaches and athletes love playing at the nearly 90-year-old gym. Students and alums like going to games there. "We hope it will be our permanent home," said head men's coach Sean McDonnell.
Eith all this upside, why hasn't the move been made? The main reason is that the Adelbert facility requires significant renovation at significant cost. Here's a partial list of what would be required:
• A vestibule on the east side (facing the medical school) that would capture cold air.
• Permanent retractable seating.
• An overhaul of the locker rooms.
• Offices for the coaching staffs.
• A sports medicine facility.
• Renovating the narrow staircase that goes down into the locker rooms.
There are some Americans with Disabilities Act problems with the current layout. This is the biggest obstacle to making Adelbert Gym basketball's home at Case.
This kind of investment would attract high-quality recruits. Case Western Reserve Field was completed in 2005. This fall, the football team made it to the second round of the playoffs.
Here's a look at tonight's basketball action:
Men
The last time the Spartans played the Bears of Washington University, it wasn't pretty. Case lost, 85-57. The Spartans trailed by only six at the half, but a second half 28-4 run sealed the deal. That kind of second-half difficulty has been a theme for the Spartans this year. "We need to play well for 40 minutes and execute on both ends of the court," said McDonnell.
The Spartans 0-9 record in the UAA isn't for lack of hard work. They're simply playing very good teams. WashU is coming off a huge 54-53 win over the University of Rochester that propelled them to the top of the conference. The Bears are ranked seventh in the nation.
Women
For a team picked to finish last in the UAA, the Spartans are doing pretty well. They're 4-5 in league games, good enough to be tied for fifth place in the eight-strong conference.
The last time the Spartans played the Bears, Case got crushed in the first half, 47-23, then came back strong in the second and actually outscored the Bears, 34-32. The Spartans lost 79-57 .
"We know that we'll certainly have to increase our intensity, take care of the basketball and establish ourselves on the boards," said coach Jennifer Reimer.
The Bears won 63-61 in overtime Sunday over Rochester. They now share the top spot in the UAA with Rochester and are ranked 23rd in the country.
Promotion
A promotion unique to Throwback Weekend is the Little Rascal's Lounge. Entrance is $5 and includes pizza, wings and a cash bar, open to those 21 or older. I think that if the Athletic Department was really committed to the "let's turn back the clock" bit, they'd let 18-year-olds in.
