The old building is quaint but it’s partially held in place by steel supports that obstruct the sightlines of spectators. Those tickets are sold with advance notice that you will have a partial view, not exactly 21st century marketing.
Concourses and restrooms are crowded, even for games with less than capacity crowds. The old building is less charming when your bladder is about to burst and the bathroom line reminds you of gasoline rationing in the 1970s.
Then, too, the building is a recruiting liability with out of state player prospects when they look at it without fans on non-game days. It’s pretty hard to relate to a facility that was built before their grandparents were born and by comparison must compete with the newer palaces of college basketball.
The recruiting formula will receive a lift when a new practice facility is built in the near future. Maturi said costs and location haven’t been determined but it may be connected to Williams Arena where the Gophers not only play but practice.
Further into the future a new facility might replace Williams Arena. Although totally new, it could have a retro Williams Arena design. More seats, better sightlines, improved concourses, rest rooms and practice facilities. A facility capable of generating more revenues for the athletic department while better serving the fans and basketball program.
Even 15 years into the future, though, Dutcher thinks the original Williams Arena, then almost 100 years, will still be around. “…I think the alternative is the new practice facility,” he said. “I think they’ve already decided to go that route, to build a nice building that has the practice facility, that has the coaches’ offices, probably academic counseling rooms for basketball players. …When a recruit comes on campus the showcase is probably going to be the new basketball building. The sideline is going to be Williams Arena with all the emotions and so forth. …”