A Past Challenge and Overcoming It
14
So you 'guys' want something positive?
I'll give you positive and a note worthy Prider mention too!
(No. It. Is. NOT. Rollo.)
Found this on the web (where else) while researching another story about the tiff between Al McGuire and Donoher way back in time.
http://daytonarenahistory.org/part-f...part-five-two/
Can you even imagine that in today's world? I can't.
I can see DD doing this as his contribution to get buy-in from the laborers.
So what would have been, indeed what was a catastrophe turned out better than what was expected. So yes, we are in the middle of a trying time but things will work their way out as I believe there are enough concerned people including the coaching staff to figure out what needs to be done and are working to get it done as I type this.
Oh about that UDPRIDER I mentioned something about at the beginning (and no it still is NOT about Rollo!).
Here is the reference!
A hat's off to one BillMcPeek!
:ok:
I'll give you positive and a note worthy Prider mention too!
(No. It. Is. NOT. Rollo.)
Found this on the web (where else) while researching another story about the tiff between Al McGuire and Donoher way back in time.
http://daytonarenahistory.org/part-f...part-five-two/
Quote:
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... on February 28, 1969, just three and half months after the groundbreaking ceremony, a sudden disaster threatened the arenas future. That day as he left noon mass, Coach Donaher was startled by a speeding Frericks who pulled his car to the curb and instructed Donoher to get in. As they pulled away Frericks told Donoher that what had been built of the arena just collapsed. Donoher recalled that what remained of the structure looked like strands of spaghetti. It was a bad day for the basketball program ... ... few thought the arena would be completed in time for the coming season ... the plans for the Flyers to begin the 1969-1970 season in the new arena seemed out of the question. For Frericks there was another problem; the delay jeopardized his efforts to win NCAA approval to host to one of that seasons first-round tournament games. From the moment Frericks became certain he had the money to complete the arena he had begun to work his NCAA connections to sell the new venue as an ideal location for a game. Because of the respect that many had for the athletic director, and his tireless work for the committee over the years, Frericks proposal was being strongly considered by the NCAA. Of course, the buildings collapse raised doubts. |
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Reconstruction began immediately. Crews worked at a feverish pace. To keep morale high, Frericks provided buckets of ice cold beer on Fridays |
Can you even imagine that in today's world? I can't.
Quote:
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... Coach Donoher presided over 3-3 basketball games between the workers on the arenas foundation. |
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Despite its collapse in 1968, the arena was completed on time. Years later Frericks summed up the importance of the arenas on-time construction by saying, Well always be indebted to the Danis people for making sure the building was complete. When it became evident this would happen, the NCAA committee selected the new building to be the host of one of its early round games in the March 1970 tournament. After seeing the economic data demonstrating the impact on the city, the reader could better appreciate how important Frericks success in having established this relationship early on turned out to be. |
Oh about that UDPRIDER I mentioned something about at the beginning (and no it still is NOT about Rollo!).
Here is the reference!
Quote:
|
On the UD Pride discussion forum, one student from that time, Bill McPeek, remembered the rush to get the Arena finished. I worked for the Athletic Dept. while at UD and Mr. Frericks asked me if I could round up a few friends to get over to the Arena and do some work to help accomplish the task. What we did was strap an Indian Can filled with sealant on our backs and spray the concrete before the seating was put in place. We did the job during the night and early morning hours |
A hat's off to one BillMcPeek!
:ok: