Crew gets fieldhouse ready for fans

By Terry Rombeck Mar 1, 2003

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo

George Barnes, left, field supervisor at Allen Fieldhouse, and Eugene Breshears, custodial specialist at Kansas University, unroll a long rubber mat as they begin the task of preparing the fieldhouse for a basketball game. Barnes and Breshears and others began their day at 7 a.m. Wednesday moving practice basketball goals, setting up press tables and rolling out the mats for that night's KU game against Texas A&M.

In five years, George Barnes has helped set up Allen Fieldhouse for more than 150 basketball games.

“We can do it in our sleep practically,” he said.

Each game day, a team of eight to 10 workers goes through the same routine to prepare the court for action — removing practice goals, rearranging bleachers and installing tables.

When a game’s at night, the crew begins setting up around 7 a.m. They set up for today’s noon game late Friday afternoon.

“We just have to work around practices,” he said.

It usually takes them 45 minutes to an hour.

“It’s not really hard work, but as the season drags on, it starts to wear on you,” said Barnes, a field supervisor for the athletics department. “Now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The first step is removing the six temporary baskets that line the sides of the court for practices. Once that’s done, the group pulls out the bottom sections of bleachers, which typically are pushed underneath the upper levels for practice days.

“They’re motorized, but they don’t work without people getting on them, pushing and shoving,” Barnes said. “They’re in need of repair at the moment.”

The final big project is installing the tables that line the sides of the court for officials and media.

Barnes’ crew also checks nets to make sure they’re not going to tear during a game. They’re on hand during the game in case a net tears or backboard gets broken.

A separate group of Facilities Operations workers does a pre-game walk-through of the fieldhouse, checking electrical systems and plumbing to make sure they’re ready for 16,300 fans.

Barnes said it would be easier to take care of a new arena, but the tradition of Allen Fieldhouse is worth the extra effort.

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“It’s a 50-year-old building. It’s an old fieldhouse,” he said. “There’s constant upkeep on it. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I still get goose bumps when I work games. On the Texas game, I thought the roof was going to cave in because it was so loud.”

That doesn’t mean Barnes isn’t ready for the season to end. He wants to watch the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments without spending hours preparing.

“One thing about KU basketball is you always have the postseason to look forward to,” he said. “It’s nice when you’re watching from your recliner.”