Steven M. Sipple: Sadler says arena a win for everybody
Lincoln Journal Star
February 25, 2010
By Steven M. Sipple
Nebraska men’s basketball coach Doc Sadler chooses his words carefully, mindful he’s not exactly in a position of extreme power these days.
“One thing we do run into at Nebraska is the (basketball) facilities are a little bit behind,” he said earlier this week.
A new downtown arena obviously could help matters, Sadler said while making by far his strongest comments to date in support of the proposed Haymarket arena project that will go before Lincoln voters May 11.
Until now, the coach generally has stayed on the sideline, seemingly content to play in the 33-year-old Devaney Sports Center.
His tune has changed.
“There’s no question in my mind that the parking, the overall convenience — those are the type of things today’s fans are looking for, and we don’t have that at the Devaney Center,” Sadler said in reference to what I regard as a generally pitiful parking situation at Devaney.
“But the new arena will give you those things,” the coach said.
“After sitting back and hearing all the different comments from everybody, and reading as much about it as I can, and probably having a little more insight than the average person, I definitely see (a new arena) as a victory. You look at what’s best for the city, what’s best for the people, and then you look at what’s best for the university.
“Having the information that I have, on the scoreboard, I see where it’s a 3-0 win.”
Sadler’s comments just may be the strongest to date — at least publicly — from any high-profile member of the athletic department. They’re the strongest I’ve heard or read.
Sadler said he now feels more comfortable taking a strong public stance because the University of Nebraska Board of Regents earlier this month approved an agreement to have the Husker basketball teams play in the proposed new arena.
