Memphis invites fans to help choose between four new court designs
Memphis will definitely have a new floor design next season when it begins play in the American Athletic Conference.
Which design the Tigers adopt, however, won't be known for several weeks.
Memphis fans have until June 24 to offer input by voting on the school's athletics site for one of four potential floor designs. One features a silhouette of the Memphis skyline across the width of the floor. Another has an image of the iconic Hernando de Soto Bridge. A third includes both the bridge and the skyline. And a fourth is just a plain, traditional floor.
"We are excited about getting input from our fans on the new design for the Tigers' basketball court at FedExForum," Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement. "Our fans are as passionate as any in the country, and this allows them the opportunity to take part in the design process."
Assuming Memphis adopts either the bridge or the skyline, it will be the latest program to add some creativity to its basketball court. From Oregon's fir tree-framed court, to Long Beach State's palm trees, to Florida International's beach scene, to George Washington's D.C. monuments, schools are making sure their courts stand out as their own when TV viewers see them.
It's unclear which design is leading the official fan voting, but an unofficial poll on a Collegiate Sports Nation Memphis forum has the design with both the bridge and skyline with almost 50 percent of the votes.
Wrote one of the supporters, "I don't know why anyone would choose anything other than [that]. BUT, I realize everyone is different and I'm OK with that as long as they understand how stupid they are."
