Thread Rating:
03-29-2012, 05:12 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
The wood for the Final Four floor started out as a sapling near Neopit, Wisc., and grew into a maple tree. It was cut down and shipped to Amasa in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where it was sanded, painted and sealed before it was shipped to southeastern Louisiana.
The wood for the Final Four floor started out as a sapling near Neopit, Wisc., and grew into a maple tree. It was cut down and shipped to Amasa in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where it was sanded, painted and sealed before it was shipped to southeastern Louisiana.
![[-]](https://bluegrassrivals.com/forum/images/lifestyle/collapse.png)
03-29-2012, 05:13 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Let's start our journey in Northern Wisconsin. A 235,000 acre Wisconsin forest reservation is tucked away, owned by the Menominee Tribal Enterprises. The Menominee Tribe has about 4,000 people who live on the reservation. About 500 work in the sawmill or as loggers.
Let's start our journey in Northern Wisconsin. A 235,000 acre Wisconsin forest reservation is tucked away, owned by the Menominee Tribal Enterprises. The Menominee Tribe has about 4,000 people who live on the reservation. About 500 work in the sawmill or as loggers.
03-29-2012, 05:13 AM
03-29-2012, 05:14 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
The principles of timber preservation and rotating logging areas were instilled in the tribe by Chief Oshkosh, who presided over the tribe from 1827 until his death in 1858. The tribe still follows the principles today.
The principles of timber preservation and rotating logging areas were instilled in the tribe by Chief Oshkosh, who presided over the tribe from 1827 until his death in 1858. The tribe still follows the principles today.
03-29-2012, 05:14 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Workers cut rough lumber from large timber logs at the Menominee Tribal Enterprises wood mill, the backbone to the Tribal economy. The Tribal Enterprise has its origins in 1908 when the sawmill was built in Neopit. Since the sawmill is not federally subsidized, its success depends on the steady flow of timber from forest to market.
Workers cut rough lumber from large timber logs at the Menominee Tribal Enterprises wood mill, the backbone to the Tribal economy. The Tribal Enterprise has its origins in 1908 when the sawmill was built in Neopit. Since the sawmill is not federally subsidized, its success depends on the steady flow of timber from forest to market.
03-29-2012, 05:15 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
The trees are then cut and turned into planks. That's when Connor Sports Flooring comes in. The planks make the 117-mile trip to Connor's plant in Amasa, Mich.
The trees are then cut and turned into planks. That's when Connor Sports Flooring comes in. The planks make the 117-mile trip to Connor's plant in Amasa, Mich.
03-29-2012, 05:15 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Connor Sport Flooring and the tribe are both members of the non-government Forest Stewardship Council. Since 1993, the council has set enviornmental standards globally for the logging industry. The audit checklist for compliance is 70 items long and paperwork is so extensive that Connor could trace a wood for any court to a specific area of the forest.
Connor Sport Flooring and the tribe are both members of the non-government Forest Stewardship Council. Since 1993, the council has set enviornmental standards globally for the logging industry. The audit checklist for compliance is 70 items long and paperwork is so extensive that Connor could trace a wood for any court to a specific area of the forest.
03-29-2012, 05:16 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Connor will make more than 700 courts costing between $85,000 and 95,000 depending on how much labor in painting logos is required.
The plants' courts will be shipped as far away as China and Turkey. Eleven of this year's NCAA tournament courts were new and 10 were refinished.
Connor will make more than 700 courts costing between $85,000 and 95,000 depending on how much labor in painting logos is required.
The plants' courts will be shipped as far away as China and Turkey. Eleven of this year's NCAA tournament courts were new and 10 were refinished.
03-29-2012, 05:17 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Unfinished NCAA Final Four court panels arrive via truck from Wisconsin at The Ohio Floor Company in Apple Creek, Ohio.
Unfinished NCAA Final Four court panels arrive via truck from Wisconsin at The Ohio Floor Company in Apple Creek, Ohio.
03-29-2012, 05:17 AM
03-29-2012, 05:17 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Workers place some of the first court panels as they begin the initial sanding process at The Ohio Floor Company where the court is completed.
Workers place some of the first court panels as they begin the initial sanding process at The Ohio Floor Company where the court is completed.
03-29-2012, 05:20 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Sanding, finishing and final paint work, complete with the necessary lines and Final Four logos, takes nearly five weeks before the floor is disassembled and shipped to New Orleans.
Sanding, finishing and final paint work, complete with the necessary lines and Final Four logos, takes nearly five weeks before the floor is disassembled and shipped to New Orleans.
03-29-2012, 05:21 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Plans are reviewed as the first panels of the court are put together.
Plans are reviewed as the first panels of the court are put together.
03-29-2012, 05:22 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
The planks are fit together in 8-foot-by-4-foot-panels which weigh more than 200 pounds a piece.
Panels are laid out and locked into place with metal strips to the subfloors. Then, each panel is numbered so it can be put down in order in New Orleans.
The planks are fit together in 8-foot-by-4-foot-panels which weigh more than 200 pounds a piece.
Panels are laid out and locked into place with metal strips to the subfloors. Then, each panel is numbered so it can be put down in order in New Orleans.
03-29-2012, 05:22 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
The Final Four logos are added to the sanded and sealed panels.
The Final Four logos are added to the sanded and sealed panels.
03-29-2012, 05:23 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
A board can still crack despite being a part of the floor. In those cases, the crew has to cut off a piece and replace it.
A board can still crack despite being a part of the floor. In those cases, the crew has to cut off a piece and replace it.
03-29-2012, 05:24 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Each NCAA tournament court takes about 80 to 90 trees standing 40 feet high. The wood is white because it is felled from August to mid-March when sap is absent.
Each NCAA tournament court takes about 80 to 90 trees standing 40 feet high. The wood is white because it is felled from August to mid-March when sap is absent.
03-29-2012, 05:24 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Connor Sports Flooring delivers the NCAA Final Four court via truck in front of the Superdome where it receives a ceremonial parade.
Connor Sports Flooring delivers the NCAA Final Four court via truck in front of the Superdome where it receives a ceremonial parade.
03-29-2012, 05:25 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Connor Sports Flooring installer Bruce Haroldson readies the panels before beginning to install the custom-built floor.
Connor Sports Flooring installer Bruce Haroldson readies the panels before beginning to install the custom-built floor.
03-29-2012, 05:25 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Haroldson and Andrew Campbell begin the first row of the court.
Haroldson and Andrew Campbell begin the first row of the court.
03-29-2012, 05:26 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Crews from the Superdome assist Connor Sports Flooring installers.
In the hurry to get a court together, there are often accidents.
“If we had to do this every day, I guarantee half my guys would quit,” says John Van Fossen, a Bridgestone Arena supervisor who oversaw court installation for tournament games in Nashville. “It’s just very labor intense. I’ve seen more guys cry and lose their fingernails.”
Crews from the Superdome assist Connor Sports Flooring installers.
In the hurry to get a court together, there are often accidents.
“If we had to do this every day, I guarantee half my guys would quit,” says John Van Fossen, a Bridgestone Arena supervisor who oversaw court installation for tournament games in Nashville. “It’s just very labor intense. I’ve seen more guys cry and lose their fingernails.”
03-29-2012, 05:27 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Haroldson watches and the crew installs the custom-built floor. From forest to New Orleans, the wood has traveled 1,814 miles.
Haroldson watches and the crew installs the custom-built floor. From forest to New Orleans, the wood has traveled 1,814 miles.
03-29-2012, 05:27 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
Rubber mallets pound together 225 panels.
The portable courts have become a staple of college basketball’s showcase event, but there’s no campus that teaches the art of court construction.
Rubber mallets pound together 225 panels.
The portable courts have become a staple of college basketball’s showcase event, but there’s no campus that teaches the art of court construction.
03-29-2012, 05:28 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
So what happens to all this polished and painted maple when the final basket falls and the last second ticks off the clock?
Connor Sports Flooring offers to sell the court to the winning team for about $90,000. Some schools chop up the court into souvenirs for fund-raising. Others, like the Florida Gators, have the floor installed as their new home court.
Scroll upScroll down
So what happens to all this polished and painted maple when the final basket falls and the last second ticks off the clock?
Connor Sports Flooring offers to sell the court to the winning team for about $90,000. Some schools chop up the court into souvenirs for fund-raising. Others, like the Florida Gators, have the floor installed as their new home court.
Scroll upScroll down
03-29-2012, 05:29 AM
[Image: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/college/bas...zontal.jpg]
The Final Four floor, which began with wood from a maple tree on a Wisconsin Indian reservation, is ready at the Superdome. The teams - Kansas, Ohio State, Kentucky and Lousville - will play a total of three games on the custom-made court starting with Saturday's doubleheader.
The Final Four floor, which began with wood from a maple tree on a Wisconsin Indian reservation, is ready at the Superdome. The teams - Kansas, Ohio State, Kentucky and Lousville - will play a total of three games on the custom-made court starting with Saturday's doubleheader.
03-29-2012, 09:25 AM
^^
I couldn't agree more!!
Thanks, Dusty...
I couldn't agree more!!
Thanks, Dusty...
03-29-2012, 10:15 AM
I wonder what they do with the floor after the final four?
Users browsing this thread: 5 Guest(s)
