Penn's new outdoor court nets approval

Even the biting cold couldn't keep Provost Robert Barchi from taking the first shot to celebrate the opening of Penn's only outdoor basketball court yesterday. The new court on the roof of the parking garage at 38th and Spruce streets officially opened for play yesterday after months of collaboration between the Undergraduate Assembly and Penn administrators. "It's absolutely unbelievable up here," UA Chairman Michael Bassik said at yesterday's press conference. "It all really came together, and the guys really worked hard on it." The court will be open to Penn students, faculty and staff as well as the local community. University Police Chief Maureen Rush, Penn basketball players Geoff Owens and Dan Solomito and several UA members joined Barchi and Bassik for yesterday's opening. And to inaugurate the new court, UA members played a friendly men-versus-women basketball game. The project -- organized by UA Student Life Chairman Ethan Kay and UA Facilities Chairman Alex Moskowitz -- took nearly a year to complete, but both said it was worth the effort. "I think this is awesome," said Moskowitz, a College senior. "I was up here four months ago and I never thought it would look this good." Bassik said he considered the new court to be a great UA accomplishment. "[Kay's and Moskowitz's] work on this is a true testament that UA members can accomplish tangible goals," he said. He also praised Barchi for his "commitment to campus life and quality of life" in seeing the project to completion. College sophomore Kay, who was unable to attend the opening ceremony, said he was very satisfied with the end result. "This project signifies a great step by the administration to fulfill the outdoor recreational needs of Penn students," he explained. "We hope that the huge demand for this facility will offset some of the crowds at Gimbel, and we expect recreational basketball players to fill the court at every hour." According to Moskowitz, the original proposal called for two courts, but after a series of compromises and meetings, only one was constructed. The construction of an additional court is dependent upon student response. "If this turns out to be successful -- which I think it will be -- we will want to build another court," Moskowitz noted. And Moskowitz said the UA had plans in store for other sports facilities on Penn's campus. "We plan to make other improvements to Penn's facilities for recreational purposes," Moskowitz said. "I believe that the student body will definitely respond to the new additions."