Gator Country did it!
Well, maybe not entirely, but Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin knew of the grassroots effort . . . the countless threads, and messages imploring the UAA to “Flip The Camera”. Not only did he listen, but Stricklin agreed, and ultimately acted. An unexpected announcement revealed Florida’s televised basketball games would feature the student section – The Rowdy Reptiles – as its backdrop, as opposed to the, well, less rowdy alumni section.
“For as many of our fans who would watch our games and realize that wasn’t the visual that best represented what a home basketball at the O’Connell Center was like . . . those of us on the inside realized it as well,” Stricklin said. “So, we were equally frustrated”.
That “visual” fans and administration sought to change was one that too often displayed empty seats and a muted atmosphere. That was less a knock on those alumni fans, than a commentary on a design issue. The recent O’Connell Center renovation added a club-level above those courtside seats from where fans could eat, drink and watch the game. But that attribute had an offset.
“One of the reasons why those seats behind the bench aren’t always full is because it’s a really nice club up there,” Stricklin acknowledged. “That’s a positive, but that isn’t necessarily what we want to project to the outside viewership.”
What Florida does want to project is a student section once considered among the most boisterous in the country, and an environment that has made Florida’s homecourt a tremendous advantage.
“We have an awesome student section,” Stricklin said. “My seats are over in that Club Section and I would look across, and look at the Rowdies, and go … ‘That looks awesome. But no one else is seeing it (on television)’.”
Stricklin believes the televised world “seeing it” will have profound promotional impacts for Florida basketball.
“This was a ‘facilities expense’, but it really is a marketing expense – though we are not taking it from marketing dollars,” he said. “I think it is going to portray a different energy-level in the arena.”
And on the topic of expense – though a costly one, Stricklin revealed the final price tag proved less than original estimates. The initial figure of $1,000,000 was an obstacle and a frustration.
“It became a math problem . . . a financial problem,” he said. “And the original figure we got was that it would be a million dollars to re-wire, re-cable, build a new platform … which was a frustrating number. We have a lot of resources, but a lot pulling at those resources with 21 sports.”
But Stricklin and staff did not give up, and nor did the clamoring, persistent fans. (Here’s looking at you @ChanningCrowderHungry).
“We kept asking for more information on the number. We got the number down to $500,000 or $600,00, so it ended up being expensive- but not as expensive as originally thought,” Stricklin said. “And then we made it a priority. . . at some point you have to put your foot down and say, ‘we are going to get this done’”.
Stricklin “put his foot down” a year ago – following a couple seasons of discussion, prioritizing and due diligence. It was a decision made well prior to Florida’s recent coaching change.
“I remember during last season thinking, ‘We are fixing this before next year’, Stricklin said. “So, Todd wasn’t part of that decision, and I’m not sure he would have the context. But I may have told him the back of his head will be on tv a lot.”
As Stricklin alluded to, the new camera perspective will prominently feature The Rowdy Reptiles, though not entirely at the expense of viewers seeing the coaches and benches.
“The same platforms across the way still exist, so they could still shoot from that angle if wanted … sometimes they call it a slash camera … for a second view of the coaches,” Stricklin said. “But I think for most games, the cameras on the baseline will be used to provide images of the coaches or benches.”
And fear not – Florida’s iconic logo will not be upside down.
“We are flipping the court so the logos are facing the camera,” Stricklin assured.
In addition to the camera change, Stricklin revealed another change intended to elevate the game atmosphere.
“Another thing we have done that I don’t think has been reported is, other than tables for radio and tv broadcasters, we have taken all the other courtside tables out, and those fans with courtside seats will be, literally, on the court,” he said. “The closer you can bring people to the action… you give more of a feeling of energy. And on tv, you’ll see people right there on the court … just like you see in the NBA.”
A jubilant message board response suggests Florida fans are excited to see this awaited change materialize on television. And with the season start mere days away – that wait is nearly over.
And so kudos to the University Athletic Association, as well as the fans for passionately pursuing
OPERATION: FLIP THE CAMERA.
Mission Accomplished.
Go Gators!