Beeghly Center

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    Beeghly Center, the home of Youngstown State men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams, has seen a major facelift totaling more than $4 million this decade.
    In the last decade, refurbishing has been done to the hallways, court lighting, classrooms, flooring, lobbies, basketball and Olympic Sports offices, swimming pool, and locker rooms. Also The Coaches Court, a plush room for Athletic Department functions and press conferences, was constructed. In 2008, a new Dom Rosselli Court playing surface was installed.
    In the most recent offseason, the YSU athletic department was able acquire the actual hoops that were used in the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four in Detroit. New strobe lights were also installed in the four corners of the arena to enhance the lighting for photographers. The men's basketball locker room was remodeled prior to the 2009-10 season, and the women's basketball locker room underwent a facelift in March 2010.
     In May 2002, the facility underwent more than $2.5 million in renovations, including a new front and rear lobby and new hallways and locker rooms. Also a new $150,000 sound system was added to the arena. Prior to the 2000-01 season, two additional scoreboards were added and expanded press-row seating was created.
    Beeghly Center, located between Stambaugh Stadium and the Andrews Wellness and Recreation Center on the northwest end of Youngstown State's scenic downtown campus, has support areas that include an athletic training room, weight room and coaches offices.
    Not only does the Beeghly Center have an arena, it is a multi-purpose facility that includes an Olympic-sized swimming and diving facility, racquetball and squash courts, classrooms, and administrative offices.
    The entire facility was built at a cost of $5.5 million and opened in 1972. It was dedicated in the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Beeghly, founders of the Standard Slag Company in Youngstown.
    Beeghly Center was dedicated on Dec. 23, 1972, when the Penguins, under Hall of Fame coach Dom Rosselli, played host to Ohio University. The first women’s basketball game in the Beeghly Center was on Jan. 23, 1976, when the Penguins defeated Kent State-Tuscarawas.
    Eleven years after construction, the seating capacity was increased to 6,500 with the addition of permanent seats in the north and south ends of the arena and 1,250 chairback seats located along the court. The capacity is currently 6,300 with recent floor expansion along the baselines.
    Both the Youngstown State men’s and women’s basketball teams routinely enjoy large crowds. YSU has won the NCAA Division I Pack The House Challenge in the Horizon League in two of the last three seasons. The women's basketball team routinely ranks second in the league in attendance, and more than 6,000 fans have packed the arena for a men's game in each of the last three seasons. Nearly 6,250 watched the YSU men defeat Cleveland State on Jan. 23, 2009 in a game that was broadcast on ESPNU.
    In addition to athletic events, the Beeghly Center serves as a site for graduation ceremonies, community events, concerts and other functions. Current president Barack Obama held a rally at the arena during his 2008 campaign.
     On September 15, 1996, YSU dedicated Veterans' Plaza directly in front of Beeghly Center. This $500,000 community project was funded in-part through private donations to honor all United States Veterans. Spring Street, the road leading up to Beeghly Center, was updated with a scenic entrance and renamed Armed Forces Boulevard in 2009.

Top 10 Men's Basketball Crowds

Top 10 Women's Basketball Crowds