Posted August 3, 2009

By Paul Erickson, UWP Sports Information Director

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Williams Fieldhouse showcases a history of unparalleled athletic success, with banners celebrating conference and national championships. Starting in 2009-10, the facility will also showcase visually stunning, state-of-the-art seating that was installed in July.

"It's the final piece of the puzzle that included the new floor, sound system, scoreboard and stat panels, and basketball backboards and shot clocks," Pioneer Athletic Director Mark Molesworth said. "It puts our facility at a national championship-caliber level. We don't have to take a back seat to anyone in the conference or even the country."

The new seating costs $574,000, of which the campus is paying $480,500 and the state $93,000 to replace the 47-year-old seating that was installed when Williams Fieldhouse was built. In keeping with the University's commitment to the environment, the former bleachers were recycled and are being used at a fairgrounds.

With striking blue and orange colors, the new seating features 11 rows of 46 chairback seats on one side with additional bleacher seating above it. The other side is all bleacher seating with a large orange UWP integrated into the blue seats on the other side. The arrangments feature wider aisles and  better hand-rails, 16 ADA wheelchair-seating spaces, and a larger video platform. Of comfort to families with small children, the structures eliminate the large gaps that existed between rows in the previous bleachers.

The seating completes the overhaul of the historic Williams Fieldhouse gymnasium, which was built in 1962, and named after William H. Williams, who was a mathematics professor for 42 years (1897-1939) and also served as the chairman of the Athletic Committee and Boards for 35 years. The floor was re-dedicated in 2007 as the Bo Ryan Court, in honor of the former Pioneer and current Wisconsin Badger coach who led UWP to NCAA Division III national championships in 1991, 1995, 1998, and 1999. Since the building opened, the men's basketball team has compiled a remarkable 416-147 record, including a 14-3 record in NCAA playoff games.

Williams Fieldhouse is the home of Pioneer basketball, volleyball, and wrestling as well as graduation ceremonies, physical education classes, lectures, concerts and other special events. The new capacity is 1,848 with 1,342 bleacher seats and 506 chairs.

The chairback seats replace the former padded backs that were coveted by the men's basketball season-ticket holders.

"Our volleyball, basketball, and wrestling fans are really going to like the these," Molesworth said. "I'm sure and our season ticket-holders will enjoy the new seats and watching Pioneer basketball under new coach Jeff Gard. We have greatly increased the number of 'premium' seats in the facility, so our long-time loyal fans will be rewarded with them."

The athletic director said because of the new set-up, the rows and seat numbers are different than under the past arrangments. Men's basketball season ticket brochures will be mailed in mid-August, with a return deadline near Sept. 15 so the new seating charts can be made.

"We can't wait for our fans to see the facility," Molesworth said. "They will be very, very happy with the new seats."

Related Links
Bleacher Replacement Photo Gallery