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Ready to play ball!

The Binghamton University Events Center

Phase I construction of the Events Center was complete and Binghamton University hosted its first basketball game there Jan. 31, 2004. The atmosphere in the $33.1 million, 156,000-square-foot building was electric, from the pre-game festivities to the final horn, as a capacity crowd of 4,460 was buoyed by an additional 200 standing-room-only patrons who watched from the concourse level.

Phase I saw the basketball court and west-side locker rooms come on line. Two of three concession stands were opened along with the media room, the box office, gift shop and seating on the east, west and south sides of the building. Phase II work will continue through the spring and summer and will entail completion of strength and conditioning rooms, the locker rooms on the east side of the building, the addition of bleachers on the north end and some special Bearcat Box seating.

The opening of the Events Center not only changes the physical profile of the campus but also brings the pomp and circumstance of Commencement ceremonies back to campus for the first time in 20 years.

"The changes will be striking for those involved in the ceremonies each year," said President Lois B. DeFleur. "Our Events Center provides a larger, state-of-the-art setting for the celebration of our students' achievements."