Anderson Arena Memories - Volume 16
February 11, 2011 | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Volleyball
After a hiatus that lasted much too long, Anderson Arena Memories returns. Many of you have submitted your favorite memories of "The House That Roars," and over the next few weeks, we at BGSUFalcons.com will do our best to post as many of them as possible. Read about the favorite memories of your fellow Falcon fans, and make your plans now to get back to Anderson Arena one (or six) final time(s). The remaining schedule of regular-season basketball games can be found at the bottom of the page.
Jay
I have been going to Falcon basketball games since I was a little boy. I'm 32 years old and have been following the Falcons my entire life. The thing that I will remember the most about Anderson Arena, is the ear-shattering noise that comes with a spectacular dunk or a monster comeback. I can't remember what year it was, maybe 15+ years ago, but Bowling Green was down 8 points with a minute to go in overtime against Miami, and came back to win!! There are so many memories that I will cherish about Anderson Arena for the rest of my life. If you have not been to Anderson Arena, go and experience the college basketball atmosphere! Anderson Arena is the only venue in college basketball that the fans are literally courtside!!
Joe
Not sure of the year, but I remember the mens basketball team scoring 25 straight points to take the lead on Miami. If I remember right there were no timeouts called during our incredible run of points.
Steve
Anderson Arena at Memorial Hall. If those walls could talk they could tell you some amazing stories. One I remember was my first men's game as a student at BGSU. The men battled South Alabama which was a game that was back and forth down to the wire! Then, with less than 5 seconds left BG had the ball and needed a basket to win! Darryl Clements drove to the basket and laid it up and the ball spun around the rim and dropped in just as the buzzer sounded! The crowd went crazy and the fans rushed the floor! Another memory I had was my first BG-UT womens game! The women fell down 23-8 but used a stellar run to come back and win! There were some fun times in the house that roars but Stroh is on the way and it is time to move on! Thank you Anderson Arena for the memories hopefully Falcon Nation will keep up its spirit in the Stroh Center!
Ali Mann
Senior Night vs Miami of Ohio - March 2007.
Getting subbed out with Liz Honegger to a standing ovation from the Anderson faithful our senior year. We gave the crowd something to cheer about by putting an absolute beating on Miami that night. With a few minutes left in the game, Tara Breske and Laura Bugher subbed in for us. Liz and I hugged at half court as Anderson erupted. I will never forget that moment.
Mark
It was probably 1978, Saturday afternoon in Anderson Arena with the Falcons hosting the highly rated Houston Cougars. They had a 6'9" guard named Louis Dunbar. The game started with Houston getting the tip and moving down the floor. Dunbar put up a shot with his foot 3" in bounds right in front of me (we always sat in the front row in the south end of the student section). It was nothing but net and put Houston up 2-0 (no 3 point basket in those days). All my friends were saying, "Holy smokes... what a shot by a 6'9' guard." Well the rest is history, as Louis Dunbar had a long career as a very famous Harlem Globetrotter!
Annette
In Jaci Clark's first game as head coach, we played Purdue who had an AP ranking of #10. We beat them and Lori Albers had a 3 point shot at the end of the game that was pivotal. I can't remember if it was the game winning shot (I believe that it was) or if it put us ahead with little time left, I'm not sure. Either way, it was a great day at Anderson Arena!
Dave
BG vs Ohio. Sunday afternoon ESPN game. Packed House. Antonio Daniels vs. Gary Trent (Shaq of the MAC)
In the second half, Antonio is on a breakaway, only one thing is between him and the rim: Gary Trent. AD goes straight at him, elevates over him and does a power slam!! THE ARENA EXPLODES!
Bill
I was in the band the day that the Falcons beat #5 ranked Michigan State. The house was rocking!!! To this day I remember Jud Heathcote on the sidelines shaking his head as the Falcons led almost the entire game. It is a memory that I will always have and brings a smile to my face every time I think about it.
Tom
When my daughter was 2, she saw the greatest game I ever saw, along with my wife. It featured Steve Smith, Jud Heathcote, and Michigan State -- top 5 in the nation in 1990-1991. Before the game I remember getting pushed up against the outside windows with Anderson Arena with my daughter in my arms by the rush of students trying to get in there as the seating was first come first serve. Heathcote sat on the bench with his face in his hands almost the entire game. He vowed never to come back to Bowling Green. The students were so close to the court. The place was absolutely electric the entire game.
Dave
Watching Antonio Daniels ice the game with a dunk against nationally-ranked Eastern Michigan. This was his first game back after the tragic death of his brother who played for Dayton. Earl Boykins fell flat on his face as Antonio raced past half court - Many players say the spirit of his fallen brother tripped him. Everyone charged the floor when the game was over and Coach Larranaga embraced Antonio in a huge bear hug as we all went nuts.
Mark
My freshman year ('74'-75) the Falcons hosted Central Michigan in men's basketball. It was Dan Roundfield vs. Cornelius Cash - the two best teams in the MAC and the 2 best players in the MAC.
I got to Anderson early and was still lucky to find a seat in the endzone mezzanine. I remember looking through the backboard glass to see Cash and Roundfield repeatedly dunking and blocking shots way above the rim. It was a great college basketball game and a great night in Anderson Arena.
Vic
As 1975 grads, my buddies and I thought our basketball 5 of Cornelius Cash, Skip Howard, and Mark Cartwright -- all 6'8" to 7'1" -- with Jeff Montgomery and Dick Selgo were the best. One year we played Marquette with Dean Meminger as their star guard to one of the greatest games of all times and another we took on our rival Miami in a packed house. We beat Miami as a group of us made the place go crazy by running around the inside of the gym with the BG flag.
Lou
In 1972 the Ohio University Bobcats came to town, lead by their heralded freshman Walter ("bucket by") Luckett. It was the first year that freshman were eligible to play varsity and Luckett graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as one of the nation's best. On game day, Anderson Arena was so packed that overflow fans were seated on the floor beneath both baskets. My high school buds and I (I was a "townie") wound up sitting on the floor along the baseline at the east end. The Falcons came out scorching and built an early lead, and the crowd was in a frenzy. O.U. eventually prevailed, but I'll never forget the electricity in Anderson Arena that day.
Annette
In 1989 volleyball was playing Western Michigan. At the time WMU had won 98 consecutive matches. BGSU had not won a game against WMU since 1983. We were both undefeated at the time. It was our first TV game and there were around 1,000 fans, a great crowd for Falcon volleyball. BGSU won the match and we won our first MAC championship in volleyball.
John
The year was 1963 and it was either late January or early February. The Falcons were hosting Loyola of Chicago who were undefeated at the time and went on to win the National Championship by beating Cincinnati. I remember lining up to get into Anderson Arena about 4:30 pm for the 7pm game. We were led by Nate Thurmond, Wavey Junior, Elijah Chapman and Butch Komives and handed Loyola their first defeat of the season. I think we led by as many as 18 and the place just exploded at the buzzer. I still can remember some of the specifics of the game and will rank this up with World Series, NBA Championships, Super Bowls, Stanley Cups and the '84 Summer Olympics and the '88 Winter Olympics (all events I have been fortunate to attend). Many wonderful memories at Anderson during my undergraduate days.
Brandon
Basketball games at Anderson were always fun, especially when I lived in the dorms. My friend Dave had a small megaphone with various sounds programmed into it, and we would sneak it into the game and sit amongst the students. One time, when Wally Szczerbiak was shooting free throws, we made him miss both due to the loud "Wah, wah" sound that hopefully distracted him. Everyone around us would start laughing. It was truly hilarious. The ushers did come looking for us a few times, but I think deep down, they liked it too. Bush and Moby with the MTV campus invasion was a lot of fun too. Our roommate Murray seemed to work a little too hard to get close to Gavin Rossdale, however.
Nathan
As a 1997 grad and member of BGSU sports radio, I was lucky to be the play-by-play guy for a game between two future NBA players. I believe it was our junior year (1996) when Antonio Daniels led our BG Falcons against Eastern Michigan and Earl Boykins. The game was a back and forth battle the entire game. But in the closing seconds, Antonio went down the lane and slammed home the game winner. Boykins almost hit a desperation heave from half court at the buzzer, but it rimmed out and the Falcons won the game.
Chris
Our fraternity, the Kappa Sigs, were chosen to help the Secret Service with the arrival of our President, Ronald Reagan. It was a great memory of mine to see him in Anderson Arena as well have the opportunity to spend time with the Secret Service team going through all of the preparations.
Gary
Most of my memories of Anderson Arena are from BGSU wrestling practice and matches. I was most fortunate to have been part of Coach Bruce Bellard's wrestling teams during 1964-1968. Many hours were spent on the upper level practice area with Bruce and some great wrestlers. How sad it is to have recently lost Bruce. He and his lovely wife Mary Ann helped so many of us get through college and be better citizens of this great country.
Many other fine coaches and athletes passed through the doors of Anderson Arena. The huge picture of the football team over the west entry showed some of those greats. A few of those guys were my high school football coaches. The interaction with Glen "Sharpie" Sharp in the equipment area will always be remembered, as will Steve Thomas in the training room. BGSU and all the athletes were fortunate to have known these dedicated men. All the team awards in the cases and pictures on the walls are a testament to all that made the place great.
I thank God that I was able to be a little part of the great heritage that will too soon be forgotten. All the best to those that have, are and will be part of BGSU athletics.
You still have a few chances to catch a regular-season basketball game at Anderson Arena. Click here to order tickets before it's too late.
REMAINING REGULAR-SEASON BASKETBALL GAMES IN ANDERSON ARENA
Tue., Feb. 15 - Men vs. Akron, 7:00 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 16 - Women vs. Ohio (Pink Zone), 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 - Women vs. Kent State, Noon
Tue., March 1 - Men vs. Kent State (Senior Night), 7:30 p.m.
Wed., March 2 - Women vs. Buffalo (Senior Night), 7:00 p.m.
Fri., March 4 or Sat., March 5 - Men vs. Buffalo (All-Anderson Recognition), TBA