Why is the logo at center ice in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena facing the way it is? It makes absolutely no sense. Every logo in professional sports faces the broadcasting booths in order for the logo to be spotlit in all of its glory. However, the Oswego State Lakers logo at center ice is facing the student section, giving the cameras an awkward angle.

Every season, a new logo is painted before the ice is put in, so I propose that we turn that logo 90 degrees to the left. It would make broadcasts and the ice look so much better. The Oswego State men’s hockey team is held in high regard here in Oswego, and the fans and the team deserve a more professional looking logo inside their state of the art arena.

Another issue that grinds my gears is that the Oswego State men’s basketball team does not play in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena. It would be amazing to watch the team that made it to the Division III National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament multiple times inside the new arena. This new location would also attract more fans because of its central location on campus. 

I know that there are a few issues with this; from a money standpoint and  logistics. It would cost the university thousands of dollars to buy two professional style basketball hoops, as well as paying people to install shot clocks, new flooring and removing the hockey glass. With the two seasons coinciding with one another, it would take a lot of work to fit both teams into the arena at the same time. I have not even mentioned Oswego State women’s ice hockey yet or the Division I men’s club hockey team that has a season that also conflicts with the other teams.

With three teams playing in the same arena, it would be a scheduling nightmare for everyone involved. That is probably the main reason why the men’s basketball team is not able to play in The Deb. I do feel like they deserve some upgrades to their facilities after two straight seasons that were very successful despite not being able to win the NCAA tournament. Why should they still have to play in the rundown Laker Hall when they are considered one of the best Division III teams in the country? 

The winter sports season at SUNY Oswego brings a lot of excitement to the campus, as the recent success of the basketball and hockey teams brings out the school spirit in the student community. I believe that with success should come rewards for the successful teams. In this case, the men’s basketball team deserves some new upgrades that fit with their recent strong seasons.

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