Elon University

Elon University, North Carolina

December 29-31, 2017

To close 2017, Ben and I took a trip to Elon University. We like to support college basketball in the District, Maryland and Virginia and with Ben on Winter break, we decided to take a trip south to see the Elon Women's and Men's teams play.

We arrived on Friday, December 29th and after checking in to our room at The Acorn Inn, located near the campus, we drove over to see my dorm. I lived in Hook Dorm for three years and it was great seeing the area again. I had not been back to school since graduating in May 1985 and I was amazed at how much the campus had changed and grown. So I snapped some photos of the campus and both basketball games. Elon Athletics granted me courtside access for the Women's game Friday evening and I sat with Ben in section 5 behind the basket for the Men's game on Saturday afternoon.

Ben enjoyed the games and seeing the campus. Our trip went by quick and as we left today, we  decided we would make another trip back soon. I'd love to go back for a football game in the Fall as I remember how beautiful the campus was during that time.

Enjoy the photos and if you need a place to stay, I highly recommend The Acorn Inn. We enjoyed our stay there and the staff was tremendous.

Go Elon!

Hook Dorm

The view from 2nd floor of Hook Dorm, where I spent many hours thinking about things
and talking with friends. They replaced the parking lot with a basketball court, which Ben took to
immediately. So I stood there Friday afternoon thinking about things and watching Ben.

Hook Dorm Forever. Best selfie ever!

This is Carolina Dorm

The walk to class began here

Alamance Building

Alamance Building

Saw this on the side of Alamance Building

West Dorm

West Dorm

The library was on the right when I was there.
This has since expanded.

Front of West Dorm

Alumni can purchase bricks and leave a message

Whitley Building

The back of Alamance Building

Fraternity and sorority houses near the athletic fields

Why we keep a ball and cleats in the car. Ben took advantage of the nice weather and got some
soccer time in on the football team's practice field.

Statue near the football and soccer fields

The soccer field from the spectator stands

Former Elon Athletic Director Alan J. White Bell Tower.

The entrance to Rhodes Stadium. When I attended Elon, the Fightin' Christians as they were
known then  played their games at the field at Burlington Williams High School

View from the gates. I couldn't get inside. The stadium holds 13,100 for football.
I need to get back for a game.

The pond near the athletic fields. I lived in Staley Dorm the Fall of 1984, my last semester
at Elon. That has been torn down and replaced. Elon sure has grown since I was last here.

Alumni Gym has hosted Elon Basketball since 1950. This is the last season before the new arena
opens up. I played many intermural basketball games here and our graduation ceremony was held
here in May 1985.

Elon Men's and Women's basketball teams will play in Schar Center, opening in 2018

Friday, December 29, 2017: Elon vs UNC-Wilmington.
Elon wins 75-67 to go to 9-3 on the season.

Elon Women's basketball is on the rise.
In 2015 and 2016 they made the Women's National Invitational Tournament.

In 2017 they won the Colonial Athletic Association regular season and tournament championship
to clinch their first ever NCAA tournament berth.

I covered their inaugural NCAA tournament game vs West Virginia at College Park, Maryland.
The Phoenix lost that day but it was a proud day for Elon Athletics.

Saturday, December 30, 2017 the Men's basketball team defeated Drexel 90-75 in their
Colonial Athletic Association season opener.

Here Tyler Seibring blocks a shot by Drexel. The men improved to 9-5 on the season.
Could their be a NCAA tournament berth in their future? I hope so!

Dmitri Thompson scores for Elon

Dainan Swoope scored 21 points leading in the Phoenix.
He is Ben's favorite player as they both play point guard.

For Ben, he was able to follow both games from a close vantage point and
during the Men's game it was great listening to him analyze what was going on throughout the game.

He is a sponge when it comes to this and I believe an experience like this helps him
when he is on the court with his 6th grade team.

Steven Santa Ana scores for Elon

Leaving Alumni Gym this caught my eye.
1980 and 1981 NAIA Championship photographs. Great memories watching these two teams play.

Elon Football now competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
They finished 8-4 this past season after a 28-27 first round playoff loss to Furman.