Richard Killian II

University of South Carolina

Professor Jeralds
SPTE 203

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT FOR RELEASE

Richard Killian Friday, August 12, 1998
(704) 297-5392
rkillian@cltcoliseum.net

Charlotte Coliseum Scoreboard Falls Within Hours of Opening

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Within hours after the opening of the new Charlotte Coliseum, the
unpredictable had occurred when the 20-ton scoreboard came crashing down onto the court,
destroying the never been used basketball court. The accident occurred at 9:12am this morning
and with no spectators in the building, no person was hurt. The only damage the scoreboard had
caused was to the brand new court.

The accident was caused by human error when one of the two motors that are used to raise and
lower the scoreboard had failed. When this happened, an attempt was made to straighten out the
scoreboard, but with the attempt, the 20-ton scoreboard came crashing down onto the court from
60 feet in the air.

Charlotte Coliseum manager Steve Camp told the media, “I intend to have two basketball games
tonight (August 12, 1988)”. The United States Women’s Olympic team was scheduled to play
the Cuban team. Both games were played that night, because after a long and tiring day, another
court was brought in from the near by Bojangles Coliseum, and the teams played on it for the
evening.

The scoreboard cost about 3.2 million dollars and had no yet officially been given to the city.
After the incident, the damage to the wooden court had cost about $55,000. Again, no person
was injured during the fall of the scoreboard.

-END-

The Charlotte Coliseum is a state of the art basketball arena that seats 23,500 fans. The
Coliseum is owned by the city of Charlotte and the Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise. The
Hornets will begin their first season in Charlotte in November.