Want to be Dukies!!!

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I'm with the OP. I have very sensitive periphrial (sp?) vision. Having fans running on the sideline would be very distracting to me. I sometimes even get startled by mascots painted on the floor. Fans belong in the stands and we aren't playing until they get there.

Originally Posted by rainmaker

I've never been in a gym where there would be room for this kind of fol-de-rol. I'd have done as OP in any game I've ever had.

IREFU2 is a good friend of mine and an outstanding official and partner, but he's very serious on the court and is not as appreciative of the amusing sideline entertainment as I am. Of course, non of us were there so only his and his partner's judgement count as to whether or not the fans this day were a detriment to the game and the safety of the crew and players.

That being said...The gymnasium in question is best HS facility I ever seen or worked in. The school is the private institution where the local rich, powerful, and politically-connected send their children so there was plenty of money poured into this building.

It's a full 94' basketball court that has a 2' restraining border encompassing the court. Baseline side nearest the entrance it's at least 10' from the outer edge of the restraining border to the wall. The opposite baseline where the home cheerleaders congregate it's about 15'-20' from the outer edge of the restraining border to the wall. Tableside, the bleachers are 6-8 feet behind the benches. On the far sidelines opposite the benches it is at least 8ft from the bleachers to the outer edge of the restraining border. There is plenty of room around the entire court to hold a parade if that's what they wanted to do.

Sh!t, even the the official's changing room is outstanding. You enter through the AD's lounge (yes, lounge, his office is a separate room within the lounge). The locker room has about 10 lockers in a U-shape with a bench in the middle plus 2 individual chairs. Clean shower (with fixed and removable shower heads), clean toilet, clean urinal, and extra space for stretching.

Oh, I forgot to mention the best thing about this school. It's 10-15 minutes from my job and 10-15 minutes from my house. It's right off the interstate exit and also only 5 minutes from my kids house. I love it when I see that school on my schedule.