UConn Volleyball Squad to Play This Season on 2012 Olympic Court

STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut will be playing volleyball on the 2012 London Olympics court, adding another throwback twist for the 2017 season.

The Olympic court, featuring its original logos, will lie in Guyer Gym at the Hugh Greer Field House, where Head Coach Kris Grunwald and his squad will compete this season because of renovations at Gampel Pavilion.

"This fall will certainly be an interesting experience for our program," Grunwald said. "Moving our day-to-day functions from the spacious confines of Gampel Pavilion to the close quarters of Guyer Gym will offer both advantages and challenges for our staff and team."

The 2012 Olympic court is made of Taraflex, a portable cushion-backed surface that has been used in the Olympics since 1976, UConn officials said. The top layer of the surface is made specifically for volleyball to allow for easier movement as well as easier sliding for the players, UConn officials said.

The 60-by-30-foot court was brought to Storrs in 15 individual rolls. Similar to the Olympics, the Coral Teal free zone will surround a Terracotta (orange and brown) colored playing court, the only two colors that do not directly correlate with any country's flag.

UConn has other ideas to make the field house a festive venue this fall.

UConn will be be bringing in portable bleachers for the fans, adding piped air conditioning into the field house in addition to the court. The Huskies will line the court with UConn logos, to provide the team with a home court feel.

"The lower ceiling in Guyer will certainly create some chaotic play, but in the long run we hope that will be an advantage for us," Grunwalk said. "It is an extremely loud gym just with the noise generated from our team. Once we add a couple hundred Husky fans to the equation, it should be a loud and exciting environment for all."

UConn has until Sept. 1 to get accustomed to its new confines. The Huskies will open their home schedule that day against Iona in the program's annual Dog Pound Challenge.

Photo Credit: UConn Athletics