McGuirk Arena

McGuirk Arena

Interior in 2007
Former names Ryan Hall
Daniel P. Rose Center (until 2010)
Location Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Owner Central Michigan University
Capacity 5,200 (1973–2009)
5,300 (2010–present)
Record attendance 5,412 (February 3, 2017 vs. Western Michigan)
Construction
Opened 1973
Renovated 2009–10
Construction cost $22.5 million (2010 renovation)
Tenants
Central Michigan Chippewas (NCAA)
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Women's gymnastics
Women's volleyball
Wrestling

McGuirk Arena, previously known as the Daniel P. Rose Center and Rose Arena, is a multi-purpose arena, in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States. The arena opened in 1973 and is part of a larger facility known as the CMU Events Center. The arena is home to the Central Michigan University Chippewas men's and women's basketball, women's gymnastics, women's volleyball, and men's wrestling teams.

Amenities

The facility features a pair of club rooms, the largest of which is a 1,600-square-foot space with room for 130 Chippewa fans and plush leather-chair seating for 88. It also features a 360-square-foot outdoor patio and is available for receptions, meetings and banquet[1]

History

Ryan Hall/Rose Arena took over as the main hub for Central Michigan's indoor athletic events in 1973 in part of the project to move the athletic events to the south end of campus. Previous seating capacity was 5,200.

Toilet Paper tradition

Prior to 1988, fans would throw toilet paper after a CMU men's basketball player made the first basket. It was estimated that 3,000 rolls were used each game, causing a shortage. Fans would even steal paper from the bathrooms. The Mid-American Conference began assessing technical fouls in 1988 for stopping play and putting the players at risk, thus ending the tradition.[2]

Renovation

In 2009–2010, the CMU Events Center underwent a $20 million renovation that included reconfigured seating in the arena, increasing seating capacity to 5,300 from the previous capacity of 5,200. The Daniel P. Rose Center would become McGuirk Arena with the court naming rights to John Kulhavi.[1] The record attendance for McGuirk Arena of 5,412 was set on February 3, 2017, when the Chippewas Men's Basketball Team came back from an 18 point deficit in the second half to defeat their in-state rival, Western Michigan by a score of 86-82.[3][4][5]

Mascot

Rowdie was introduced as the arena's official mascot after the men's basketball team made a trip to the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament in 2003.[6] Rowdie, named after the "Rose Rowdies" student section at that time, has since hosted numerous events supporting various causes. In 2008 Rowdie hosted a basketball game featuring mascots from around Mid-Michigan including Sparty from Michigan State.[7]

Notable athletes

Retired numbers

NBA/ABA players

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Facilities". Central Michigan University.
  2. Conner, Floyd (2001). Basketball's Most Wanted:The Top 10 Book of Hoops' Outrageous Dunkers, incredible buzzer-beaters, and other oddities (1st ed.). Brassey's Inc. p. 264. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  3. "Events Center". CMU.edu. Central Michigan University. 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  4. "Men's basketball comes back from 18-point deficit to defeat Western Michigan". Retrieved 2017-02-04.
  5. "CMU announces Events Center naming gifts". CMU.edu (Press release). Central Michigan University. October 26, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  6. 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
  7. "Mascots team up for charity". The Morning Sun News. April 21, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2015.

Coordinates: 43°34′51″N 84°46′26″W / 43.580888°N 84.773941°W / 43.580888; -84.773941


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