Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU's Athletics Center Garners National Recognition
August 06, 2003 | General
“It was a great location,” said Gary Sparks, principal in charge with SPARKS Sports. “It was my idea that we should expand and modernize the facility that we had and make it a first-class facility without going offsite. Also, at the same time, we really needed to update the football stadium.”
What was once the basketball arena now has been expanded to serve other athletics as well as linked to the adjacent football field, creating one huge sports complex.
“We kept all the history and tradition on campus, but modernized and doubled it in size,” Sparks said.
The arena grew from 60 feet high to 120 feet high and capacity was increased from 6,381 to seat 13,611, making it the largest sports arena in the state of Oklahoma at the time.
“I think its the first time anybody has done what we did by building up and around an existing arena,” said Sparks. “We didn’t miss any ball games. All the time this was going on, we were playing games inside the arena.”
Designers were able to save the original white maple wood court, which was installed in 1938. While preserving the history of the old arena was key, the new Athletics Center starts a new chapter for the University.
“Its been a big hit,” Sparks said. “Its a great place to watch basketball. Its very intimidating for the other team, and that’s what its all about.”
Comments made by the three judges that compared facilities included, “very innovative approach to maintain older building but provide new image,” and “nice use of classical elements in a contemporary building. Credit given for keeping the existing structure.”
