Storm damage forces Owls out of their gym
By Marcus Nelson

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Thursday, October 27, 2005

BOCA RATON ? The season hasn't even started for the FAU men's basketball team, but the Owls are already embarking on their first road trip.

The lack of power and damage to the roof of the FAU gymnasium have sent coach Matt Doherty and his team to Orlando this week where the Owls will practice until at least Sunday.

Doherty didn't know if the hole in the roof would force any changes in the Owls' schedule, but the school said the gym won't be used until an engineer can verify the structural integrity of the building.

FAU is scheduled to play its first home game on Nov. 30 vs. North Florida.

FAU gym also is home to the women's basketball team, and Wednesday, coach Chancellor Dugan was making arrangements to go to Daytona Beach for the week to practice.

FAU's campus is closed until Sunday, but most of the athletic teams ? volleyball, men's soccer and men's and women's cross-country ? were on the road this week.

The softball facility appeared to suffer the most damage. The batting cages were destroyed, the roof to one of the dugouts blew off and the press box floor collapsed. The baseball field's press box also was severely damaged.




It's been one heckofa week.
I wonder if repair costs will end up moving out the dome plans farther.

Here's an update from today's PBP . . .






Rain-damaged arena to be ready for tipoff
By Marcus Nelson

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Thursday, November 03, 2005

BOCA RATON ? When Hurricane Wilma ripped a small opening last week in the roof of FAU Arena (formerly known as FAU Gymnasium), there was no water damage.

However, that changed Tuesday when rain poured into the southern part of the building, which houses the men's and women's basketball offices.

Work crews began repairing the roof last week, but the work still was being done when the rains came.

Despite the damage, FAU won't have to play any home games at other locations.

"I haven't heard any plans for that," FAU coach Matt Doherty said.

FAU Arena is expected to be operable by this weekend. The women's basketball team will host an exhibition game at noon Sunday vs. Florida Gulf Coast University. The game was originally scheduled for Friday.

The men's team has an exhibition scheduled for Nov. 13 vs. Florida Tech and plays host to North Florida on Nov. 30 in its home opener.

The men's basketball team, which practiced for a week in Orlando, returned home Wednesday and will practice at Palm Beach Community College and Lynn University until FAU Arena is suitable for use.

Harris to FAU: PBCC point guard Tavarus Harris has committed to FAU and will sign with the Owls during the early signing period.

Harris, a Boynton Beach High School graduate, was also recruited by Mercer, Georgia State and Arkansas-Little Rock.

"The coaching staff was what made me want to go there," said Harris, an all-conference selection last season.. "They have a lot of basketball knowledge and know how to turn a team into a competitor."

Harris joins St. Andrew's guard Xavier Perkins and Longwood-Lyman guard Sanchez Hughley in Doherty's first full recruiting class.

Green hired: Former Owls coach Sidney Green has joined the coaching staff at the Indiana as an assistant. Green was fired by FAU in March.





Three signings for next year already ;) 8-). Does anyone know how many scholarships will be available?