Thomas J. Frericks Center

The Thomas J. Frericks Center is a 5,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Dayton, Ohio. It is the home of the University of Dayton Flyers volleyball teams.

History

Before 1950, the Flyers men's basketball team played its home games at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Coliseum. On May 3, 1949, the university broke ground on a $600,000 on-campus basketball facility at the corner of Alberta and L streets. Completed the following year, the facility could seat 5,800 patrons for basketball. The Fieldhouse served as Dayton's home court from 1950 to 1969, with the Flyers compiling a 256-33 record in the facility.[1][2]

Upon completion of the UD Arena, the Fieldhouse served as a training facility for sports teams, a recreation complex for UD students and office space for the athletic department. In 1975, the Physical Activities Center was built and joined to the south side of the Fieldhouse. In the late 1980s, the University renovated the interior of the facility and updated the western external facade of the Fieldhouse. Following the death of longtime athletic director Tom Frericks, the university renamed the Fieldhouse in his honor.

Current Use

The Frericks Center is the third-largest volleyball-only venue in the NCAA with a seating capacity of 5,000. In 2004, the university completed a seating renovation and environmental graphics package. The facility also houses volleyball administrative offices.[3]

References

  1. ^ Collett, R. (1989). The Dayton Flyers: A history of UD basketball. Dayton: Landfall Press.
  2. ^ UD Athletics Communication Office (2007). 2007-08 Dayton Flyer Basketball. Minster, Ohio: Post Printing.
  3. ^ http://daytonflyers.cstv.com/facilities/FrericksCenter.html