Leaving Cole Field House, 1955-2002

The 47-year-old basketball arena sits near the center of the University of Maryland, College Park, campus, next to sprawling, over-crowded parking lots, the university main street, and the student union building. Cole's yawning surface of brick and concrete houses the athletic department--until this fall--the ROTC and a few other offices. 

The hardwood playing surface is the same one laid down when Cole was first built. Jack Zane, who worked as director of ticket operations for 15 years, says the floor has been sanded so many times it is useless. It will be pulled up, sold to sentimental fans and replaced with a new surface after the basketball teams move out.

Only four bathrooms and as many refreshment stands serve almost 15,000 fans.  The new athletic center -- Comcast -- will boast 37 bathrooms and 12 concession stands, athletic department spokesmen say.

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