Bucknell University Athletics
Pair of Historic Basketball Events on Tap at Bucknell
1/8/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 8, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - A new era of Bison Basketball will be ushered in this week, as 64-year-old Davis Gymnasium will host its final basketball games before the Bucknell teams move into the brand new Sojka Pavilion.
Saturday's men's and women's doubleheader against American University - which is also the Patriot League opener for both teams - will be the last basketball contests in Davis. The women's game tips off at 1 p.m. with the men to follow at 3:15.
Following the men's game, a special closing ceremony will take place. Guest speakers include noted author John Feinstein, legendary Bucknell basketball coach Charlie Woollum, two-time Patriot League Women's Player of the Year Molly Creamer, and current Bison coaches Kathy Fedorjaka and Pat Flannery.
Sojka Pavilion will be "unveiled" to the public for the first time on Saturday following the Davis Gym festivities. The public is invited to a special Open House in Sojka Pavilion. Refreshments will be served.
Constructed at a cost of nearly $400,000, Davis Gym was dedicated on June 13, 1938. The building was a gift of 20 members of the board of trustees and is named for John Warren Davis, an 1896 Bucknell graduate and chairman of the board of trustees at the time of the dedication. On Jan. 14, 1939 the Bison played their first basketball game in Davis, ironically against American.
Entering Saturday's finales, the Bison men's team has an all-time record of 461-233 (.664) in Davis Gym, while the women are 168-117 (.589). Both teams are 3-1 at home this season.
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Bucknell men's and women's basketball teams will debut in Sojka Pavilion with a Patriot League twin bill against Lehigh. The women will be the first to grace the new court with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off, with the men's game to follow at approximately 8:10 p.m.
Between games, Sojka Pavilion will be officially dedicated in honor of Dr. Gary A. Sojka, former university president and a current Bucknell faculty member in the biology department.
The 4,000-seat Sojka Pavilion is the final piece of the university's exciting new Recreation and Athletic Center. Already in use are the Krebs Fitness Center, the Kinney Natatorium, a new sports medicine center and numerous new offices for coaches and administrators.
Sojka Pavilion will feature "walk-down" access to seating and unobstructed views of the basketball court or concert stage for all spectators. Many of the 4,000 seats will be fixed in place, while others will retract, enabling an expandable open floor area for additional practice or recreational space.
While Davis Gym will no longer be used as a basketball game facility, it will remain the home of the Bucknell volleyball team, as well as other recreational uses.
Tickets to both events may be purchased at the Weis Center box office, or by calling 577-1000.
