Today@Sam Article

Renovated Johnson Coliseum Offers Upgraded Amenities For Athletes, Guests

Nov. 16, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Tyler Pointer

The recent upgrades to the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, including a new floor and stadium seating, accentuate the scoreboard donated by alumni in 2015. It was the first major upgrade of the coliseum since its opening 40 years ago. —Photos by Tyler Pointer

Sam Houston State University’s Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum has officially reopened its doors as of Nov. 5 after a six-month renovation process. 

The renovation is the first major upgrade of the coliseum since it opened 40 years ago and is both a physical and behind-the-scenes enhancement, according to coliseum operations coordinator Billy Ukrazhenko.

Bearkat athletes now dress in updated amenities (above) and can nurse their injuries in hot and cold hydrotherapy tubs (below).

“They tore up the floor immediately after the university and high school commencements earlier this year to put new wiring underneath and to prepare for the equipment that was coming for the renovations,” Ukrazhenko said.

The bleachers in the coliseum have been completely replaced, an upstairs lounge has been redone and the entire lower east end has been remodeled with visual upgrades to all the sport locker rooms, according to Ukrazhenko.

“Over 60 percent of the renovation went toward a new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning),” Ukrazhenko said. “It’s huge for us, and no matter what our capacity would be here, we can keep up with it with the new efficient systems we have in place.” 

According to Ukrazhenko, the new equipment and facilities will directly benefit and cater to athletes and staff.

“We have a new training room with hydrotherapy tubs, one hot and one cold,” Ukrazhenko said. “There are also new locker rooms for coaches and officials and we’ve added a media room.”

The catwalk lighting operating system has also been upgraded to coincide with other systems in place and the new video board, which came in to play last spring, now has its own production room, according to Ukrazhenko.

“Some of the improvements, because they are behind closed doors, aren’t visible to the public,” Ukrazhenko said. “We have new equipment that enables broadcast capabilities and along with our new amp system we have sound controls within all the locker rooms and TVs to where we can broadcast the games to two channels that stream to the lounge and other areas.”

Ukrazhenko said that this is only the beginning and believes that the renovations are well deserved for the university’s athletes. 

“It’s a huge step and it’s great for the players and recruits. The building turned 40 years old in February, so we will see where it goes from here,” Ukrazhenko said.

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