Lena Rivera
Creating basketball courts for the NCAA is a meticulous process that involves staining, painting, and graphics. The process typically begins with sanding and measuring planks, which are then stained and painted using NCAA graphics as stencils. The NCAA introduced new court designs during the 2015-16 championship season to address feedback that courts looked too similar. The new designs featured different color schemes and content to help viewers distinguish between sites. Companies like Sportstech Flooring and Professional Floor Systems have gained recognition for their innovative approaches to court design, embracing techniques like using paint colours within sealer coats to showcase the grain of the floor. These companies work with educational institutions and professional leagues to create dynamic basketball courts that showcase the skill and artistry of their craft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint type | Paint and sealer coats |
| Painting process | Stencils, staining, sanding |
| Design | Different color schemes, court content, site-specific logos |
| Purpose of redesign | To visually differentiate courts for fans watching on television |
| Court type | Hardwood |
| Court design features | Tonal wood color, removal of unity ribbons and NCAA word marks |
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What You'll Learn
Court designs are stencilled and painted to standard
Creating a basketball court involves a lot of planning and coordination. The process begins with sanding and measuring the wooden planks that form the court's surface. The court design is then stencilled and painted according to the chosen design. This process involves using NCAA graphics as stencils to ensure accuracy and consistency in the court's appearance. The stencilling and painting process is a specialised skill, requiring confidence and an understanding of the limitations of paints and sealers.
The NCAA has introduced new court designs to create visual differentiation between courts. This is particularly important for fans watching games on television, as it helps them distinguish one court from another. The new designs feature different colour schemes, court content, and logos specific to each site and round of the tournament.
To achieve this standardised yet unique look, flooring professionals employ techniques such as using paint colours within sealer coats, allowing the grain of the floor to show through. This method adds complexity to the design while also showcasing the natural beauty of the wood.
The process of stencilling and painting a basketball court is not limited to NCAA and NBA floors. It has also reached pre-collegiate levels, with companies specialising in gym floors for schools and universities. These companies work closely with their clients to push the limits of court design and create unique and bold statements.
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Planks are sanded, measured, stained, and painted
Creating a basketball court is a meticulous process that involves careful planning and execution. After the planks are shipped to their destination, they undergo a series of transformations to achieve the desired aesthetic and functional outcome.
Firstly, the planks are sanded to ensure a smooth and even surface. This step is crucial as it prepares the wood for the subsequent staining and painting processes. By sanding the planks, any imperfections or irregularities are removed, creating a uniform base.
The next step is measuring. Each plank is carefully measured and cut to fit the specific dimensions of the basketball court. This process requires precise calculations to ensure that the court adheres to the official size and shape standards.
Once the planks are sanded and measured, they undergo staining. Stain is applied to enhance the natural beauty of the wood, adding colour and bringing out the grain pattern. The choice of stain colour can vary depending on the desired aesthetic of the court.
Finally, the painting process begins. Using NCAA graphics as stencils, the floor is meticulously painted. This stage involves a high level of detail work, ensuring that the graphics and colours are accurately represented. The painting process may include multiple coats to achieve the desired opacity and vibrancy.
It is important to note that the process of creating a basketball court may vary slightly depending on the specific requirements and design choices. Some courts might incorporate more intricate designs or graphics, while others might opt for a simpler approach. Nonetheless, the fundamental steps of sanding, measuring, staining, and painting remain consistent in crafting a functional and visually appealing basketball court.
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Paint colours are used within sealer coats
Creating basketball courts with bold designs involves a lot of work and expertise. The process often involves staining, painting, and graphics. In recent years, there has been a trend of using paint colours within sealer coats. This technique has been embraced by companies like Sportstech Flooring and Praters to meet client demands for seeing the grain of the floor.
The process of painting an NCAA basketball court starts with sanding and measuring planks. The floor then becomes a giant paint-by-numbers picture, with every inch carefully stained and painted using stencils. Creating these intricate designs requires confidence and a good understanding of the process, as acknowledged by Mark Frainie of Praters, who worked on the 2016 Women's ACC Championship court.
The use of paint colours within sealer coats allows for more intricate designs and the ability to push the limits of what paints and sealers can achieve. This technique is not limited to NCAA courts but is also applied in high schools, the NBA, and pre-collegiate levels. The trend for bold basketball floors has even reached the portable courts market, with companies like Professional Floor Systems gaining fame for their unique court designs.
While a fully painted floor is not the norm, extensive staining, painting, and graphics are common. The release of the University of Oregon's "Into the Woods" court brought attention to the intricate designs that can be achieved through staining and painting techniques. The NBA's In-Season Tournament also featured fully painted courts with contrasting washes of colour, creating a unique visual experience for viewers.
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Flooring professionals make the process a breeze
Andrew Ledford, project manager at Sportstech Flooring, added, "You've just got to know what you're doing and be confident in what you're doing ... We've made mistakes; everybody does. It's part of the learning process." Sportstech Flooring is another company that handles all types of gym floors in its region, specialising in complicated staining and dying jobs along with big graphics.
In the case of the 2016 Women's ACC Championship court, Praters pushed the limits of what paints and sealers could do. John Prater, the company's president, said: "Facilities don't get to sand their court down to bare wood very often. When they do, we encourage them to do something different, and we allow them to push the limits of court design by working with our design department. 'Whatever they want' is our attitude; let's make this particular facility a showplace." Praters has embraced the technique of using paint colours within sealer coats to meet the current trend of clients wanting to see the grain of the floor.
The process of staining and painting NCAA basketball courts is a complex and intricate task, but with the expertise and confidence of flooring professionals, it can be executed smoothly and efficiently. These specialists work closely with universities and organisations to bring their visions to life, embracing innovative techniques and trends to create dynamic and visually appealing basketball courts.
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Court designs are adjusted for television viewers
NCAA basketball courts have undergone several design changes over the years, with the organisation introducing new looks for its hardwood courts. The NCAA has acknowledged that its previous court designs were criticised for a lack of variation, with courts looking too similar. In response, the NCAA adjusted the appearance of its courts to enhance the viewing experience for television audiences. This was achieved by implementing distinct colour schemes and content for each site and round, making it easier for viewers to differentiate between locations.
The NCAA introduced these design changes to its basketball courts to create a unique identity for each site. Previously, the courts featured a generic black and blue design, which failed to provide a sense of place for viewers. The new designs aim to address this issue by incorporating specific colours, logos, and markings that reflect the character of each location. This approach adds visual interest and helps viewers identify the court's location.
The NCAA also recognises the value of court designs as a form of advertisement for universities. Bold and distinctive court designs can attract prospective students and appease donors. Universities view these designs as a cost-effective way to showcase their brand and create a sense of community pride. The designs are strategically crafted to stand out and capture the excitement of the tournament, ensuring that they look impressive both in person and on screen.
To achieve these visually appealing court designs, the NCAA collaborates with specialised companies like Connor Sports and Sportstech Flooring. These companies provide paint samples, mock-ups, and expertise in wood flooring to bring the creative designs to life. They work closely with the NCAA to push the boundaries of paint and sealer techniques, embracing trends like incorporating paint colours within sealer coats to showcase the natural grain of the floor.
The process of designing and installing NCAA basketball courts is a meticulous one. It typically begins in the fall, with production starting in October or November. The wood is sourced from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and the painting and finishing take place in January, with the courts ready for use by March. This well-coordinated process ensures that the courts are not only visually appealing but also functional and durable for the intense tournament play ahead.
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Frequently asked questions
The process of painting an NCAA basketball court involves sanding and measuring planks of wood, which are then stained and painted using NCAA graphics as stencils. The recent trend is to use paint colours within sealer coats to showcase the grain of the floor.
Companies such as Sportstech Flooring and Professional Floor Systems are hired to paint NCAA basketball courts.
It is a high-pressure job with tight deadlines. The arena staff often have to turn arenas around overnight, from a basketball game to another event.
It is rare for facilities to sand their courts down to bare wood. When they do, they are encouraged to do something different with the design.
