‘It’s every game’: UE men’s basketball parent upset Ford Center staff kicks out families

EVANSVILLE — Ken Strawbridge attends nearly every University of Evansville men's basketball game, home and away. His son, Kenny Strawbridge Jr., is the Purple Aces' leading scorer and is one of the main reasons UE has found some success this season.

Following the Aces' 83-65 loss to in-state rival Indiana State on Wednesday, Ken waited inside Ford Center to talk with Kenny after the game. This is their routine. They don't have any issues on the road, but they've found it's different at home.

Ken was asked to leave the arena before he was able to see his son. So, he went to Twitter postgame to voice his frustration because he claims it wasn't the first time it's happened.

"First, they ask you to leave the court area," Ken told the Courier & Press. "Then you go to the hallways and soon after, they ask you to go to the lobby. After a few minutes in the lobby, they say we have to leave the facility. I do understand on Saturdays when there’s a hockey game. But not out of the entire facility and definitely not on a Wednesday night. I also feel bad for visiting fans. They have to leave and have nowhere to go.

"I don’t think it’s a reflection on the coaches or university. I’m not sure if they even know. But it’s every game. I go to almost all the away games. And have never been asked to leave before my son comes out the locker room. We have to be the only MVC team that does it."

VenuWorks, which operates Ford Center, said the building must be cleared within 30 minutes of an event for several reasons, ranging from the dismissal of first responders to allowing the clean-up crew access to all public areas. VenuWorks added that this policy is not unique to UE events and applies to all spectators.

A spokesperson for UE said the university had not been provided an official policy that must be followed postgame, nor does UE have the jurisdiction to overrule staff at the arena.

Following UE games, VenuWorks employees often clear the arena to swap out the basketball court for the Evansville Thunderbolts' hockey rink beneath the floor. How long that process takes can vary based on how quickly the ice needs to be ready. The Thunderbolts' next home game is Friday against Fayetteville.

Yet, the small contingent of family members waiting to see their sons for a few minutes after the Purple Aces' game was mandated to wait outside in freezing temperatures.

Editor's note: This story was updated with an official policy from VenuWorks on Friday, Feb. 3, almost 24 hours after the Courier & Press requested comment.