Oakland University unveils blacktop basketball court

Athletic programs today are bolder with their facility designs, and Oakland University (Michigan) is the latest to step outside traditional boundaries.

The university on Thursday unveiled its new blacktop basketball court, a redesign that came with a $60,000 price tag, according to CBSSports. Athletic Director Jeff Konya said in a video released by the university that he was skeptical going into the project but he’s satisfied with how it turned out.

From the university’s website:

“What a fantastic court and it came out better than we expected,” said Konya. “We had an overwhelming response from Golden Grizzlies nation.”

On the floor will be Oakland’s hashtag #WearTheBear and where fans can follow the Golden Grizzlies on the official website for athletics and on twitter. The state of Michigan is also outlined on the floor and the stain of the floor resembles an old “blacktop” look. A large contemporary bear head will be at center court.

Universities have tested these waters often over the last five years or so. Here’s a list that highlights just a few of those projects.

Oakland University released the video below, and beginning at the 1:10 mark you can see a time lapse of the resurfacing.