Robert Peele: Expensive showcase

Regarding the Sept. 8 news article “Reynolds Coliseum upgrade embraces the past and future”: This re-do of the old, antiquated building cost $35 million. Whew.

The heroes of Wolfpack basketball are all there including Everett Case, his protege and fellow coach Norm Sloan, Jim Valvano and Kay Yow.

Good to have these statues located inside the structure itself where they will be safe from debasement by alcohol-fueled rivals and such. Not to mention pigeons. But, gee whiz, $35 million?

Reynolds is no longer the home of the Wolfpack, as the PNC Center is newer, nicer and bigger. It’s fine to celebrate “glory days” as Bruce Springsteen sings about, but at what cost? The “real” college students love their “b-ball,” though, and no price is too great evidently. Athletes bring championships and draw attention to the old “U.” All that stuff entices “real” students to attend. Those “real” students bring recognition and acclaim to the “U.” Ball and scholarship all tied up together nice and neat.

Reynolds was great in its day, but sadly that day is no more. It’s a museum piece now – $35 million for a coliseum they don’t even use anymore. Wow. It’s only money, right?

This story was originally published September 28, 2016 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Robert Peele: Expensive showcase."