Memphis, TN-It’s not actually their redesigned homecourt at FedExForum, but it’s close. The past two weeks (Aug. 12-23) while school was out of session, the Tigers practice floor at the Larry O. Finch Center went through a makeover.
The Finch Center practice floor is a near-exact replica of the Tigers’ FedExForum court minus the Memphis skyline and bridge. The feature of the new floor is the massive center court design of the leaping Tiger M logo, which Sports Floors Inc., President Bruce Gleneck says is the biggest one his company has placed on a floor.
“This is easily the largest center court logo we have ever painted on a floor,” said Gleneck. “We love the look. We are a hometown company, and nothing is better than doing work for our hometown team.”
Sports Floors Inc., located in Memphis, did what is usually a 3-to-4 week job in 12 days. The project started with sanding the floor down to the bare wood and sealing it. Next, the 3-point areas were stained and the game lines, graphics and letters were painted. The final step was to apply the finish to the floor.
Sports Floors was able to quickly turn around the project by working around the clock, including nights and weekends, with the University of Memphis Athletics Department in making the Finch Center available. Some nights, work on the floor began at 9 p.m. (CT) so that the project would not interfere with the Finch Center’s schedule. The end result was well worth the extra work.
“Staining is one of the hardest things to do on maple gym floors, and we were able to use two different tones on this floor,” said Gleneck. “This was the University’s idea, and it turned out beautiful.”
The Tigers begin individual workouts soon on their new Finch Center floor. The official start of practice is Oct. 3, but Memphis Madness is scheduled for Oct. 18.