New basketball court added to Stopher Gymnasium

The Nicholls State University athletic department has made improvements to
Stopher Gymnasium.

Among these improvements are new portable basketball goals, LED scorer
tables, and a raised, portable basketball court that will allow court-side seating for fans.

Athletic Director Matt Roan said the new court will serve two purposes: offer
some resilience to protect players’ ankles and knees and enhance the physical
appearance of Stopher Gym.

“So the idea of getting a portable floor to put on top of our current floor for games
we thought was the safest floor for our student athletes, but at the same time, we think
it’s going to create a little bit more of an arena-type feel.”

Roan said the court is a maple wood floor manufactured by Robbins Sports
Surfaces, which is the same type of floors used in the NCAA tournaments.

Roan explained that a brand-new floor from Robbins Sports Surfaces can cost
anywhere between $100,000-$160,000. However, the athletics department purchased
the basketball court from the City of Thibodaux for $10,000 and had it refurbished by
Classic Hardware Finishing for $25,000.

Roan said, “For us to be able to have a floor that was declared surplus by the city
— and obviously the generosity from the city that wants to support Nicholls as well — it
was a significant savings for us.”

Director of Thibodaux Recreation Kevin Clement said the City of Thibodaux
purchased the floors in 1997 to host high school and youth basketball tournaments in

the city’s auditorium. However, the city stopped using the court about three years ago
and was interested in selling them.

Road said the court will make its first appearance in Stopher Gym on January 27
and will be named in honor of Ricky Broussard, Nicholls Hall of Fame men’s basketball
head coach.

“When it comes to basketball, nobody has done more with two NCAA tournament
appearances other than Coach Broussard. He continues to be a strong advocate for our
program… So, it was just a no-brainer that that’s who it should be dedicated to and it
was our pleasure to put his name on it.”

These improvements were funded by the One Shining Moment Foundation, a
local non-profit organization that contributes to South Louisiana athletic and educational
advancement opportunities.

Roan said this project is one of many he has planned to improve the sporting
facilities on Nicholls Campus.

“We’re going to make a concerted effort to try to do something every single year
and it just so happens that we’ve been able to do some pretty significant things in a
short amount of time.”