The Times Picayne After an extensive search to find a suitable facility to hold training camp and regular-season practices, Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said Tuesday the team has reached an agreement with Southern Nazarene (Okla.) University. The Hornets will hold their practices, starting with training camp next Tuesday, at the Sawyer Center, a 98,000 square-foot facility built in 1998 at the small NAIA school. The Sawyer Center has three levels, which includes a first-floor gymnasium, second-floor weight room and jogging track, with athletic training facilities housed on the third floor. "We researched the area, and it's really a first-class practice facility,'' Bristow said. The Hurricane Katrina displaced Hornets will play 35 regular-season games in Oklahoma City and six in Baton Rouge because of damages to New Orleans Arena. Southern Nazarene is located in Bethany, Okla., just outside of Oklahoma City. The Hornets will share the facility with the school?s men and women basketball teams and women's volleyball team. "We will be able to provide them with their own training room, locker room and equipment room,'' said Bobby Martin, Southern Nazarene?s athletic director. ?We'll be able to carry on our own programs because their practice times fit perfectly with ours. They'll practice early and our programs will go after them.?? "We know that they would prefer to be in New Orleans and have the comfort of doing things the way they did last year. But, basically when Allan came in, I just said, ?We will try to make this as smooth as possible, and we'll help you any way you can.? Our athletes and students are getting excited already to be able to see professionals walking in the gym. It will be something totaling new and different for all of us.'' Source
