The men’s basketball game against Dallas Christian University set to be played at McMurry University’s Kimbrell Arena at 6 p.m this Saturday. The venue was moved because of scheduling conflicts with Sing Song.
“If either team is set to play a home game for the same weekend as Sing Song, then we have to make changes for the location of the game,” said Corey Driskill, associate athletics director. “[McMurry is] very accommodating and they’ve let us use their arena the last few years.”
There are two Sing Song performances scheduled for Saturday. The first is an afternoon showing at 2 p.m. and later one at 8 p.m. The men’s game is scheduled to be played at 6 p.m.
“Obviously, Sing Song is a huge deal here, but that’s why the NCAA allows this transition period between moving divisions,” said Brette Tanner, men’s basketball assistant coach. “We have talked to the Southland Conference and the administration at ACU to make sure we avoid a conflict like this in the future.”
At the beginning of every year, Director of Athletics Jared Mosley, along with the rest of the ACU athletics department, view the athletic events that are scheduled to take place on campus and ensures that there are no other events scheduled for the same time and place.
“The decision was made at the beginning of the season,” Driskill said. “We know that Sing Song lies around this week and we have to make adjustments. If we want to have home games during this time, we have to make adjustments that will accommodate the players and coaches.”
The men and women’s basketball teams have also had to change their practice location because Sing Song acts were scheduled to practice in Moody Coliseum throughout the week.
“Everyone knows that Sing Song is a huge tradition here at ACU and things like us getting kicked out (of Moody Coliseum) is normal,” said Renata Marquez, senior women’s basketball forward. “Even though we are in the middle of the season and that is the place where we play games and practice, we are a great team and wherever we practice we will get done what we need to get done. This is just a little adversity and it isn’t something we can’t handle.”
The game will still be open to all ACU students, faculty and staff, as well as any other fans.
The Wildcat’s game against Dallas Christian is the first of their three-game homestand. Their games against Arlington Baptist and Southwestern Adventist will be played at Moody Coliseum. After Sing Song week, all men’s and women’s home games and practices will continue as originally scheduled.
