Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
It’s that time again. Like the first icy day of the year in which you almost fall on your ass on the way to the car, it’s time to play Vanderbilt in that mad opera house they call a gym. Memorial Gym, to be exact. Is there a more annoying arena in all of sports? Regardless of how good the ‘Dores are each season, they can always count on at least a few points from their brick-and-mortar sixth man, with its benches on the ends and baskets like goal posts. As we do every season, let’s take a look at Vanderbilt’s MVP, Memorial Gymnasium.
Built: 1952
Seating capacity: 14,316
Floor: Elevated, like their egos
Benches: In the end zones behind the baskets. Good thing Cal’s loud.
Goals: Resembling football goal posts, each of the baskets are anchored by two far-reaching beams attached to support columns, with extra support coming from cables stretching all the way to the gym’s ceiling. Should the backboard shatter (looking at you, Alex Poythress), replacing it would apparently be very difficult. To make things even more confusing for opponents, the shot clock is mounted on one of the support columns instead of its usual spot above the backboard.
Levels: There are three seating levels at Memorial, the middle of which has low ceiling. During gameplay, the “house lights” are turned off, giving “the distinct impression of watching a Cinemascope movie of basketball.” Barf.
The Vanderbilt basketball offices are connected to the gym via balconies, from which Kevin Stallings addressed the crowd at last year’s College GameDay:
“Let them eat cake! …just not mine.”
Design: At the time of the gym’s construction, there was intense debate on whether the school should de-emphasize intercollegiate athletics (that’s so Vandy), leading to a compromise to design the gym to be adaptable for many uses. Essentially, Vandy’s wine and cheese crowd (so, their crowd in general) didn’t want it to appear that they were slumming it by going to a basketball game, so they made the gym as much like an opera house as possible. I hear there are even Chardonnay dispensers in the armrests.
Myth: “Memorial Magic”
This is from Vandy’s official website:
“When the construction of Memorial Gymnasium was near completion in 1952, the state-of-the art facility was one of the finest in the South. The basketball gods were so impressed; they slipped some magic dust in the overhead steel rafters–or so says a myth.
Since that first game campus game on Dec. 6, 1952, a 90-83 victory over Virginia, the magic dust has been sprinkling on Vanderbilt players from time to time. Some Commodore basketball players have been transformed into heroes causing students to charge the floor. Evidence will show that the Magic of Memorial is not a slogan, but a part of Vanderbilt basketball history.”
I think someone was enjoying some magic dust when they wrote that.
Need more? There’s a video:
Atmosphere: Does “ugh” cover it? Let me break the crowd down for you.
“Memorial Maniacs”
Students line one side the of the court and rich old boosters the other. The student section, aka the “Memorial Maniacs,” is just as terrible as you would imagine. Having lived in Nashville for over six years, I am used to Vandy students by now, and let me assure you, the vast majority are awful. Shaggy hair, popped collars, wayfarers, and a distinct whiff of false entitlement. In the grand battle of douchery, I’m not sure who wins: hipsters or prepsters. Vandy students manage to be both. The ones who come to games are predictably annoying, with their clever signs that sometimes make you laugh a little until you remember you’re supposed to hate them. Think Cameron Crazies with less creativity and more trust funds.
Old people
If there’s one thing Vandy and UK have in common, it’s old people in the lower level. The side of the court opposite from the students is occupied by the rich old boosters who are relatively harmless, unless you’re me, who has managed to piss them off every year. I’ve received my share of loud “SIT DOWWWWWN”s, cane stomps, and eye rolls. I even got a full on glare from one lady in a black and gold shawl last year. She was a sassy old bird.
Kentucky fans
There’s always a good showing of Kentucky fans at the Vandy game. Positioned primarily behind the Kentucky bench (and Ashley Judd, who always wanders in a few minutes after tip), they are loud, proud, and love to get under Vandy fans’ skin. There’s nothing more heartwarming for an “ex-pat” Kentucky fan than hearing the glorious “Go Big Blue” chant ring through enemy territory. Better yet, the Vandy fans sometimes go out of their way to make it possible for blue to get in. It’s common practice in Nashville to buy Vanderbilt basketball season tickets (as low as $141/seat), sell the ones to the Kentucky and Tennessee games, and come out with a pretty nice little profit. Thanks, guys!
The game’s seriously not until Thursday? #BeatVandy
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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January 8th, 2013 at 2:05 pm
I’d rather play a game on the Death Star.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:05 pm
Ugh, I hate Vandy. Ugly looking crowd. Ugly players.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
You had me until the “Go Big Big” line.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
I always loved the “Go Big Big” chant!
January 8th, 2013 at 2:10 pm
Haha, whoops. You all know what I meant.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
rebound pass run assist layup win…Go Cats..
January 8th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
We’ll let it slide this time.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Will BBN show up in force Thursday night. Huge game for our young team.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:13 pm
I was out of commas…
January 8th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
Sitting in that middle section sucks, the ceiling is so low it’s almost impossible to even see the video screen. It does get really loud throughout the gym though, which I like
January 8th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Why are the Vandy students holding up the “shocker” sign at the game? Are they planning to assault the opposing players?
January 8th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Who is the dude with the giraffe neck at the 0:20 mark in the video?
January 8th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
I watched 2 NCAA tourney games there in 1993. UKv Rider and Wake Forest. Its not a bad place to watch a game. I am supprised overtime it hasn’t been reinovated to lower the floor and add more seating. It is a horrible place to play as a team because the team benches are under the goal.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Apparently that magic dust rubbed off on the cats… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW9q7x9d0mY
January 8th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
A bad venue made even worse by an appearance from Bob Knight on Thursday.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Tickets still available at vucommodores.com. Let’s fill it up.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
#12. Dan Langhi, he played at Marshall County in Kentucky in high school.
January 8th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
You forgot about mentioning their crazy mascot who gives out bloody noses for free
January 8th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
ESPN has a new bracketology out. How long until one of these awesome bloggers does a wicked copy and paste job on that sucker and gets it on the site? The over/under is 15 minutes. GO!
January 8th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
19 – Under
January 8th, 2013 at 3:11 pm
“Grand battle of douchery” … very nice Tyler. Wonder who would win the grand battle of douchery between Dukies and Vandies?
January 8th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
@20) Awesome TT
January 8th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
I’ve grown fond of attending games at Memorial Gym. The urinals are yummy, and I have no problem parking my 87 Buick within 15 blocks.
January 8th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
First well done. I hate that place (and not just becasue the Cats are 0-3 when I make the trip). I’m a registered architect here in Nashville and I would humbly submit you left out the biggest problem with the Mem: IT’S A FREAKING DEATH TRAP. Honestly, there is no rhyme or reason to how the concessions/toilets/exits are laid out. In general this creates frustration when you need to either imbibe or expel liquid and on a more serious note, there’s nowhere near the type of clear path of exit that you get in the normal peasant gyms that we common folk are accustomed to. No concourse, no nothing – just a jumble of spaces connected by doors that may or may not swing the right way. If anything bad ever happens there, that place is gonna have a problem.
January 8th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
Lol @ 24… I don’t think many people are worried about these things, never once when going to a sporting event have I wondered or even cared how the exits and restrooms were laid out… Get ahold of yourself
January 8th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Knock the arena all you want, I’ve always liked going to it and watch games in person because the vibe it gives. #24 You’re right but keep in mind it is a 60 year old opera wannabe house.
January 8th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Vandy is awful this year, but having grown up a Kentucky fan in Nashville, and attended both Universities (I currently live in Lex), I wish the UK students were half as loud as Vandy students. Rupp, while huge, does not have the noise or charm of Memorial Gym. I hope when the renovations come, UK lets more than 100 students sit close enough to the team that represents THEM
January 8th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
27. You are exactly right–Memorial blows, but the students are loud as heck and into the games. Crickets at Rupp are embarrassing.
The real factor is the presence of Kevin Stallings. That guy makes me hurl.
January 8th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Ok…..all you “true fans” who wish to stand up the whole game, why dont you start a campaign for a new arena to be built without seats? Problem solved. BTW…lots of those old folks who like to stay seated during a game have been supporting the teams for decades, therefore they have more right to be there than you. Some may have difficulties standing for extended periods of time. Some may have been on their feet all day before the game. Just wait…you’re day is coming….what goes around comes around. There WILL come a day when YOU arent all that crazy about standing during a whole game. And I can yell and clap just as loudly sitting down as standing up. Tickets are for the seats, not the floor to stand on.
January 8th, 2013 at 9:34 pm
I agree #29! I am amazed at the arrogance (or is it that they don’t grasp the concept of biological change with age) of some youth and the fact that those youth really don’t realize they will be there (old) soon and the “old folks” were young not so very long ago. Ha ha ha! Laughing all the way to the end!!!