For the near future, Saint Louis University will not build an on-campus arena.

“We understand the Lauries are no longer considering this a top priority. If that were to become a priority again, we will swing into action,” said University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. in a town hall meeting Sept. 25.

Unless Bill and Nancy Laurie, owners of the Savvis Center (previously the Kiel) and the Blues, go on a shopping spree and purchase an NBA franchise, Billiken basketball will remain at the Savvis.

Will an NBA franchise come to St. Louis? Savvis Center’s senior vice-president was unavailable for comment on such a possibility. The Vancouver Grizzlies nearly came to town last year through Lauries’ efforts. All indications point to bringing an NBA team to St. Louis in the future.

With an NBA team in town, SLU would be near the bottom of the list in terms of scheduling. The St. Louis Blues, the new NBA team and special events, such as concerts, would be the priorities.

These recent developments resulted in an administrative inquiry.

According to Bob Woodruff, associate vice president of public relations, a “working group” was formed this summer that gathered information on the possibility of forming a committee. This group of six to eight members consisted of people from the financial, facilities, public relations and athletic departments. Despite the small size, progress was made, and information was given to Biondi.

“We’re not anywhere near where we were four months ago,” Biondi stated, implying that the immediate need is no longer as apparent as it had been several months ago.

Some proponents favor an on-campus arena.

Kim Tucci, chairman of the Billiken Club and development committee chairman on the Board of Trustees, told the St. Louis Business Journal this summer that on-campus arenas would be “better for the overall culture of the University.” He added, “I’d like to see us get off the dime and do something.”

Right now, however, everything is in a preliminary state and on hold until an NBA becomes a reality. Other ideas, like a student union or residence hall, are more in the forefront, noted Biondi.

While a new home for SLU basketball is not a major concern in the autocratic domain, it is an amenity in the athletic department. Last year, ESPN televised only one game at the Kiel. This year, SLU’s home game against Charlotte will be the lone nationally televised contest.

According to Doug Woolard, athletic director, much could change if an on-campus arena comes to fruition.

“It gives us the availability to accommodate ESPN, which often tries to set the dates and times of their broadcasts for a national audience,” said Woolard.

Edwin Kidd, director of University Events Services, concurs, but for different reasons. A new arena would give more flexibility in providing on-campus events. He would prefer it to be more than just an arena.

“If it was built, I would like something like a banquet area and conference area,” Kidd said.

In the midst of the discussion at SLU, other universities have taken action.

Xavier University, a fellow Jesuit institution, recently opened a multi-purpose convocation center located on seven acres of university grounds.

Xavier’s Cintas Center includes a 10,250 seat arena, a 450-seat dining facility, a 650-seat banquet hall and a 300-seat conference center. The project cost $46 million and took two years to build.

The Center was funded by substantial private donations, bonds and corporate agreements.

Xavier is already putting the Cintas Center to use, with 360 events booked through 2001, including athletics, conventions and reunions.

“This is the first opportunity Xavier has had to bring the students, alumni and Cincinnati community together to participate at the heart of the campus,” said Phil Jones, director of the Cintas Center.

However, SLU would need a larger arena with an expanded budget.

Last year, according to Billiken Sports Information, basketball averaged 13,631 fans per game, 10,773 of whom were season ticket holders.

In 1998, the University of Wisconsin at Madison opened a $55 million arena/convention center that seats 16,000, a size similar to what SLU would require.

In 1988, Boston College built the Conte Forum, a $25 million project that consisted of an 8,600-seat basketball arena, as well as an ice-hockey rink.

“It builds spirit having an arena. There’s a convenience factor and an advantage in terms of student attendance,” said Boston College President William Leahy, S.J.

Billiken basketball, however, has a larger fan base. Last year, SLU ranked 20th in the nation in attendance, with 1,061 student season ticket holders.

In 16 home games, 218,090 fans went through the turnstiles at the Kiel.

When the men’s soccer team returned to campus last year from the Anheuser-Busch Sports Complex, their average attendance rose from 1,740 to 3,462 fans per game. This was ranked first in the country in attendance last year, according to Billiken Sports Information.

For now, Billiken basketball will be a short trek away to the Savvis.