2018 Off Season Full of Updates at Oregon Tech Athletics
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Oregon Tech Athletic Director John Van Dyke points out all the changes Danny Miles Court to Coach Danny Miles. August 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey)
The hardwoods of Danny Miles Court have received a new look ahead of the 2018-19 season. August 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey)
The Oregon Tech Athletic Department has had a busy summer and it is not in the way you might think. Of course, there has been sports camps, team recruiting, advertising/sponsorship deals and planning for the upcoming seasons. However, they have also been hard at work doing some much needed improvements to facilities.
Last Friday, OIT Athletics held an open house to showcase the new updates to Danny Miles Court, announce a new fitness center where the shell of the old swimming pool sits empty, and announce the return of the Hustlin' Owl Booster Club.
Construction and Updates
It all started earlier this summer OIT Athletics broke ground on a new state of the art turf softball stadium, to be named the John & Lois Stillwell Stadium.
While construction occurs on top of the hill at the new softball stadium, the main athletic building that houses all the athletic administrative offices, Danny Miles Court, fitness center, locker rooms and more is finally getting an exterior face lift along with some interior improvements too.
Currently the most noticeable are the updates to Danny Miles Court, home of the Hustlin' and Lady Owls Basketball Teams as well as the Women's Volleyball team. In July, the hardwood was stripped, sanded, and repainted and stained with a new look that features Coach Danny Miles signature, an outline of the State of Oregon and a hidden gem - a star placed on top of Klamath Falls inside the outline of the state.
Coach Miles recounts the names of players added to the line under his signature on the wall at Danny Miles Court. August 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey)
The gym has received a complete interior paint job brightening the space. A few of the banners have been moved to locations inside the arena. The most honorable of all the changes is located on the west wall above reserved seating. That wall now boasts a 30-foot rendering of Coach Miles signature to go along with the naming of the court in his honor. But the most awesome part, the line under Coaches signature is filled with the names of athletes having played for Coach Miles during his tenure as the OIT Men's Basketball Head Coach.
A lot of construction will be happening downstairs with the old swimming pool. The retired pool deck is finally being updated into a new fitness center for students and student athletes. The space will contain all new state of the art machines and a new basketball practice court.
The OIT Athletics administrative and coaches' offices will move into the area currently occupied by the existing fitness center.
Booster Club
Originally introduced in 1967 by Howard Morris, the Hustlin' Owl Booster Group is comprised of individuals who have the desire to help champion and continue to grow the athletic department at Oregon Tech.
The intent of the club is to supplement and enhance the student athlete as well as the fan experience at Oregon Tech. Immediate areas of need include, but are not limited to: Ongoing facilities improvements, Uniforms, and Travel.
Once an essential part of the Oregon Tech Athletic Department, the newly relaunched Hustlin' Owl Booster Club will uphold and build upon the rich tradition and elite standards of Hustlin' Owl Athletics. More information on the booster club will be announced in the coming days.
Exciting times are ahead for Oregon Tech Athletics.
