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September 5, 2008

BASKETBALL: Jeff girls to play a game this season at Nachand Fieldhouse

By MIKE HUTSELL

Part of Tom Lindley can still smell the popcorn when he walks into Nachand Fieldhouse.

“It’s one of the things that anybody who watched a game there will talk about,” said Lindley, a longtime Jeffersonville resident who grew up watching hoops games at the historic gymnasium. “It’s just one of those unique things about such a great place to watch a game.

Since Lindley’s beloved Red Devils left the confines of their cozy Court Avenue home, he has dreamed of maybe one day seeing the gym used one last time.

“If you told people they were going to play another game there, they would show up just to see it again,” Lindley said. “A lot of people still miss seeing games there.”

Part of Lindley’s dream will come true later this year, when the Jeffersonville girls’ basketball team will play in the 2008 “Back to the Future Classic” against Silver Creek in November.

While Nachand Fieldhouse has never been home for Jeffersonville or any girls’ program — head coach Chad Gilbert jumped at the opportunity to allow his team a chance to represent the Red Devils in the downtown facility

“It was a natural fit,” he said. “It was something that we really wanted to do to give the girls a chance to play in an event that would add to the excitement of being a part of our program.”

Lindley worked along with the Jeffersonville Parks and Recreation Department assistant superintendent of sports and athletics Ricky Romans to secure a date. They also solved several of the logistical questions that came with hosting an event at the 71-year-old structure like restroom facilities, bleachers and locker room facilities for each team.

“Chad was very interested in hosting this game and the city was very interested in hosting it as well,” Lindley said. “We came up with a plan that will provide plenty of seating and the teams will use (recreational vehicles) in the parking lot as sort of their home base.”

Finding the right foe for the contest was not difficult either. Gilbert said the early-season contest against Silver Creek was a natural fit because it provided a Clark County opponent who also once played sectional contests in the facility.

“We wanted it to be a team that used to play there as well,” said Gilbert, who’s father Ernie is a graduate of Silver Creek. “We want the experience to mean just as much to them as it will for our kids.”

Some details of the event are still being worked out. Gilbert said he may have his team wear throwback uniforms to commemorate the occasion and joked that he may find a retro suit to wear on the sidelines.

“It may be tough to find one in my size though,” said the 6-foot-9 Red Devil coach.

More than anything though, the game will provide one last chance for fans who still hold fond memories of the Fieldhouse a chance at seeing one final contest.

“I know some people who will come to this game just to see the Fieldhouse again,” Lindley said. “To me, and to a lot of people who follow Jeffersonville, this is the greatest place in the world to watch a basketball game. It means that much to them and it will mean a lot to see another game played there.”

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