CHARLESTON, Ill. – Lantz Arena will have a new feel for Eastern Illinois basketball fans this season as the Panther athletic department recently finished a renovation of the arena basketball court giving the 41-year old facility a new look for the 2008-09 season.

The project was funded by the Eastern Illinois Panther Club with the work completed by the EIU Facilities Department.

“Eastern Illinois athletics is grateful for the support of the Panther Club in their help with funding this project,” said EIU athletic director Barbara Burke. “Our campus facilities department did an outstanding job of completing this project and helping put a new face on EIU basketball.”

As part of the project the entire floor was sanded down to remove all former markings. A new paint design was then placed on the floor with a black Panther head dominating the middle of the floor. Also added as part of the new NCAA rules was a 3-point line for both men's and women's basketball.

“The logo in the middle of the floor really jumps out at you when you first see the floor,” said EIU men's head coach Mike Miller. “When you watch games on TV, the logos in the middle of the floor help to create an identity for your program.”

“The new floor was part of the vision Barbara (Burke) has for the EIU athletic program,” added EIU women's head coach Brady Sallee. “I couldn't be more pleased with how the project turned out. The guys doing the actual work recreated our vision perfectly.”

The floor will be used for Panther volleyball for the next two months before Eastern Illinois basketball starts up in November. The regular season women's opener is Nov. 14 against Miami of Ohio while the men will open the home portion of their regular season on Nov. 19 against Manchester College.

Season tickets for men's and women's basketball will go on sale in mid-October.