Built in 1960, Anderson Arena - named after Hall of Fame coach Harold "Andy" Anderson - is a unique building that offers the Falcons a distinct home-court advantage. It is one of a small number of venues throughout the country that allows the students to actually stand on the playing surface.
Named the top arena for college basketball in the Mid-American Conference by ESPN's Dick Vitale, the 4,700-seat venue has hosted more than 1.5 million fans in its 48-year history. Crowds of more than 5,200 have jammed inside its confines on nearly 50 occasions throughout the building's lifetime. In 1963, in one of the most memorable moments in arena annals, Bowling Green defeated Loyola (Ill.) the No. 1 team in the country at the time, by a score of 92-75.
In recent years, "The House That Roars" has received a number of new features including an improved speaker system, new paint jobs on both the north wall and the playing floor itself and recent renovations to the coaching offices.
The Arena and its Namesake
- Harold Anderson led the Falcons to two NCAA appearances and six trips to the NIT, winning 367 games over 21 seasons.
- Anderson and former Falcon great Nate Thurmond were inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. Thurmond was named to the "50 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time."
- Originally opened in December, 1960, the Arena had a seating capacity of 5,200 until 1983 when chair-back seats were installed, reducing the capacity to 4,700.
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Photo by Jon Ridinger
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