Question from Justin
Solid week for OWL Ball. Good luck on the road this week.

How are Sammy, Perkins and Hughley doing in practice? Do you see Perkins or Hughley being a starter next year?

Response from Coach Walters
Justin,
Thanks for the email and question. Sammy, Xavier and Sanchez are all working very hard. It is frustrating for me at times to have them on the bench during games. However, they are doing a good job in practices and make it very competitive for our starters. They are also doing extra work in the IHP weight room with Juan Carlos Santana. All of this is very necessary if they are going to help us next year when they are allowed to play. If you see them on campus, tell them they better keep working hard! They are great to be around and I do enjoy working with all three of them. Thanks again for the email and I hope to see you at the games!

Sincerely,
Rex Walters
FAU Basketball

Question from John
The Rowdy Rex's love Coach Rex!!!! We made it on the web page, and that is so cool! We have only been a "real" group for two games so far and I think we have already made a major impact on student involvement at home games. Look forward to seeing the RR's grow and for The Burrow to become a dreaded place for opponents to want to play. Right now we have about 20 or so avid fans in our group, but look out for next year because The Rowdy Rex's are growing by number everyday! GO OWLS!!!

Response from Coach Walters
John,
I get a big kick out of the Rowdy Rex's. Our players absolutely love them and it definitely gives our team a sense of pride, something extra to play for and represent. You guys are going to be the founders of an up and coming FAU Owl basketball program. You guys make it special on game nights! Thanks for all the support and see you soon.

Rex Walters
FAU Basketball

Question from Rick
Dear Coach Walters,
Does the arena renovation project include a new scoreboard? Also, does it include a sound system?

Good wins lately!

Rick

Response from Coach Walters
Rick,
There is definitely talk of a new scoreboard! I haven't heard anything about a new sound system, but I know they are doing everything possible to make the Burrow something special! Thanks for the email and we will see you at the games.

Go Owls,
Rex Walters
FAU Basketball

Question from Greg
Rex,
Great job so far this year! My question is about the upgrades to the arena after the season. What exactly will be done? Thanks!

Response from Coach Walters
Greg,
Thanks for the email and interest in FAU Basketball. I have visited with Craig Angelos our Athletics Director and Associate AD Melissa Dawson and I am excited about what I am hearing. Melissa emailed me and this is what she wrote:

"The exterior of the arena, lobby, locker room and scoreboard upgrades are being planned. In addition to these improvements, we will be adding chair back seating to the lower west sideline as well as both baselines. Our idea is to leave the lower east sideline bleacher seating for students. It is our sincere hope that as the student support for our basketball teams grow, we will be able to fill this lower section with students that will get vocal in support of their team. The thought is to try and create an atmosphere similar in nature to Duke University Basketball where the entire lower level is bleacher seating and students stand and cheer throughout the game.

In addition to this interior atmosphere, we are trying to create a more festive game day experience outside of the arena. The current roadway will be blocked off and resurfaced with pavers. This will allow us to develop a pre-game social area where the band, cheerleaders and dance team can perform while vendors offer pre-game food and beverages. We are hoping this will bring a downtown appeal to the exterior of the arena and provide a perfect space for pre-game gatherings.

There will be a ticket kiosk located in the island that is currently outside the arena. This new ticket kiosk will now become the game day point of sell for anyone wishing to purchase tickets to events located in the arena. After purchasing tickets, fans will walk across the covered roadway and enter the arena. Anyone wishing to enter the building will now have to present their tickets prior to ever entering the facility. This will provide a more collegiate feel and help decrease the clutter in the lobby itself. The lobby will have a team store, new lighting, new tile flooring and wainscoting in order to upgrade its appeal.

Finally, we will be renovating both the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms. This part of the renovation will divide each of these locker rooms into 2 separate rooms. One room will be a team meeting room and the other the actual changing room itself. It is our hope that the renovation of these areas will allow us a much better opportunity to host double headers with the men’s and women’s teams. In addition, these remodeled locker rooms will assist us in developing a recruiting edge over our Sun Belt competitors."

Melissa and Craig are working their tails off to make this exciting stuff happen. With this renovation, our already beautiful campus and city, and with the leadership of President Brogan and Craig Angelos, we will have all the elements to having a successful basketball program. The Burrow is going to be the place to be!

Thanks again for the email and please come out and support us.

Sincerely,
Rex Walters
FAU Basketball