Staff
Charleston Civic Center
Since 1988, Craig Calhoun has attended annual West Virginia University basketball games at the Charleston Civic Center.
Calhoun, a season ticket holder, was again at the Civic Center Tuesday night when WVU faced Morehead State.
It was the first game on the new floor at the Civic Center sponsored by the Friends of Coal.
Calhoun says the floor, which features three silhouettes of West Virginia coal miners, is a good representation of the state.
"It will give a lot of recognition to the state," Calhoun said. "I like the paint job. I like the floor."
Calhoun's friend and fellow season ticket holder Alan Petty had one word to describe the floor: "Awesome."
But Petty wasn't as satisfied with Tuesday's Charleston game than he usually is. He was unhappy with the attendance of 10,122.
"People are trying to do the family thing this week, but overall I am disappointed in the West Virginia fans," he said.
Seating capacity at the Civic Center is 13,000. WVU head coach Bob Huggins has praised Mountaineer fans for making the arena a home court advantage whenever WVU comes to town.
However, Calhoun agrees that Tuesday's game wasn't as raucous as it could have been. He says playing a program as small as Morehead State could be a contributing factor.
"Normally when they bring a bigger name school to town, they sell out here. All the big name schools they sell out," Calhoun said.
Still, Calhoun says true fans in Charleston should fill the seats no matter what.
"By Morgantown being two and a half hours away, if I live in Charleston, and they're playing in Charleston, I'm going to see them play just because I like WVU basketball," Calhoun said.
Though they were both disappointed with Tuesday's turnout, Calhoun and Petty say they appreciate the fact that WVU makes a trip to Charleston every year.
"We love it," Calhoun said. "Anything in Charleston we love. Anytime they come here, we love it."
"I think it's great," Petty said. "Sometimes it's hard to get up to (Morgantown) for a seven o'clock game during the week."
WVU's next game at the Civic Center is set for Jan. 18 against Marshall for the annual Capital City Classic.