May 29, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - On Thursday, the Samford athletic department unveiled the new court design of the playing surface at the Thomas E. and Marla H. Corts Arena in the Pete Hanna Center. The redesigned paint job now features an extended 3-point line for men's basketball as well as a pair of Southern Conference (SoCon) logos.

Samford will begin its second season in the Pete Hanna Center this fall as the volleyball team opens competition in the SoCon. The Bulldogs' men's and women's basketball teams will then begin play on the redesigned court in early November.

The SoCon logo was painted in each lane of the basketball court to highlight Samford's upcoming affiliation with the conference. Samford officially becomes a member of the SoCon on July 1.

Beginning in the 2008-09 men's basketball season, the 3-point line will be moved back 12 inches from 19-feet 9-inches to 20-feet 9-inches. The NCAA men's basketball rules committed approved the measure on May 3, 2007. The change marked the first major alteration to the 3-point shot since its inception in 1986-87.

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