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University of Louisiana students are working to make Blackham Coliseum a fun and inviting arena for fans of the UL basketball teams, which will play games in the coliseum until hurricane evacuees move out of the Cajundome and the building is repaired after receiving years worth of use in a matter of weeks.
The first work day was held Oct. 7, when UL students, alumni and volunteers gathered to paint stairs, wash bleachers, clean hallways and do minor repairs around the coliseum. A second work day was held Friday, and students took time from their fall break to continue improvements to the coliseum.
"Some people were upset that the teams can't play in the Cajundome, but once they see in here, I think the fans really won't mind them playing here," said Kyle Kellner, the spirit chairman for UL's University Program Council. "We've really gotten a lot done in just two days."
Kellner said about 40 to 50 students had participated during the two work days.
"It's all on a volunteer basis," he said. "People are being really helpful and doing whatever needs to be done."
Katie McDonald, a UL senior, said she was proud of how much work volunteers had accomplished.
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Amanda McElfresh
amcelfresh@theadvertiser.com
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"Just seeing the changes from two days of work, it looks so much better," she said.
Jason Guilbeau, another UL senior working Friday, said he thought Blackham Coliseum needed some improvements, and said he was proud to be a part of making positive changes.
"The last time I saw it was a year ago, and it's amazing to see the transformation we've done," Guilbeau said.
Anthony Daniel, director of the UL student union, said he was proud to see students take the initiative to improve a part of their university.
"I think it's great," he said. "We talk a lot about doing community service, and I'm glad that they've taken it upon themselves to do this. I think it really does build better citizens."
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