COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Construction is progressing at Tennessee
Tech's Eblen Center, where a new Basketball Coaching Complex is
expected to be completed in January.
In the meantime, the show must go on.
Golden Eagle fans will find a few changes in how to access the
arena as the 2008-09 season gets underway, so officials have
announced updated directions for finding the correct entrances, as
well as the ticket office, concession stands, restrooms and the
bookstore's souvenir shop.
"We want to ensure that a visit to Eblen Center for a Golden Eagle
basketball game remains a great experience for fans of every age,"
said Mark Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics.
"There are some changes in how fans will enter the games during
construction, and some minor changes inside the arena," he said.
"We have done things to make it easily accessible, and we believe
fans will still enjoy the family atmosphere and have a great time
at Eblen Center.
"We have done the things we can to ensure safety, as well, but we
want to urge fans to always use caution around the construction
zone," he added.
First, there are no changes at all in the parking for basketball
games. There is open parking for the public on McGee Boulevard, as
well as in parts of the parking lots between the Eblen Center and
Tucker Stadium. The Talon Lot, Semi-Circle and South Lot are all
reserved lots.
The ticket office remains in the main (East) lobby of Eblen Center
for purchasing tickets. However, the only access in the lobby is
the ticket office, and there is no entrance to the arena through
that lobby.
The entrances to Eblen Center will be on the South, West (Willow
Avenue) and North (Fitness Center) sides of the building. The Will
Call and pass gates are located on the Fitness Center entrance.
Once inside, fans will find a few changes in the location of
features such as the concession stands and souvenir sales.
Concessions are currently available at two concessions stands in
the outer concourse, both on the Willow Avenue (west) half of the
arena.
There is also one concession stand located inside the arena, at the
top of section H above the stage.
The University Bookstore sells souvenirs, and its new locations is
inside the arena above section D in the middle of the south
side.
There are also currently four restrooms open during games, with two
men's and two women's facilities. All of those are also located in
the west half of the arena toward Willow Avenue.
In between games of doubleheaders, Athletic Donors can still enjoy
the benefits of the Eagles' Nest, but not in its usual location.
All Eagles' Nest activities will take place on the second level of
the Fitness Center.
Game programs will be on sale from vendors located just inside all
three entrances.
Persons parking in the lot between Eblen Center and Tucker Stadium
can still approach the arena via the stairs next to the tunnel to
the top of the semicircle, and then enter either to the left
(south) or right (north) side of the arena.
For additional assistance, ushers and Athletic staff will be
available outside the arena prior to the games, and ushers will be
located throughout the inside of the arena. For more information,
please call the Athletic Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931)
372-3940.