LIVINGSTON, Ala.  – The University of West Alabama’s Pruitt Hall will feature a new floor for the 2008-09 athletic year, Director of Athletics E. J. Brophy announced on Wednesday.

The new hardwood will feature the extra large scripting of “TIGERS” at the midcourt area along with red baselines and boundaries.  The floor was designed and will be installed by AGF Incorporated of Birmingham, Ala.

The project entails sanding the floor to remove the current finish and paint, applying wood sealer, painting all game lines and logos, then applying the coats of finish. Workers have already begun sanding the old floor in preparation for the new look and it will be ready for use when the fall semester begins in August.

“With the addition of the longer men’s three point line for next season, and considering the overall look and condition of our floor, we felt it would be a smart fiscal move to kill two birds with one shot.” said UWA Director of Athletics E. J. Brophy. “Our coaches and players are extremely excited, and we think our Tiger fans will love the new look of the gym floor as we continue to move our men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball programs forward”.

The new floor design will also include one 5 ft. by 5 ft. UWA Athletic “Tiger” logos on both sides of the court.

Included in the repainting of the floor will be a new three-point line for men’s basketball, which moves back one foot to 20-feet, nine inches (from 19-feet, nine inches) in 2008-09.  The women’s three-point line remains the same.

No events will be disrupted, and the floor is scheduled to be available again on May 16^th.