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The 13,080-seat Convocation Center, opened in 1968, is the home site for the Ohio University basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams. The $8.2 million facility still exhibits a first-class look with the very latest in modern facilities, equipment and comfort. The Convo, one of the largest facilities in the region, can hold more than 15,000 for convocations. The facility is an ideal site for concerts, commencements and many other activities in addition to basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Brubaker and Brandt Architects of Columbus designed the circular building with Knowlton Construction Company of Bellefontaine serving as the prime contractor. It houses athletic administration and coaches' offices, locker rooms and a training room. Dormitory rooms above the concourse are home to students during the academic year. The Convo is 328 feet in diameter with the top of the dome 134 feet, 10 inches above ground level parking and 123 feet, four inches above the playing floor. The roof is aluminum over wood fiber while the main arena floor is composed of a spring-supported two-layer maple wood system. Thanks to a partnership with G&J Pepsi, four new scoreboards made their debut in The Convo during the 2003-04 season. Two of them feature eight-by-seven-feet video screens for viewing replays, graphics and statistics. A new playing court was also installed, making it an even more attractive venue for intercollegiate athletics. Improved, television quality lighting, a permanent press row, and an expanded camera deck also highlight The Convo's recent improvements. The showcase of Ohio Basketball is the Vern and Marion Alden Basketball Suite, completed in 1997. It houses both the men's and women's basketball offices, video rooms, and a conference room. Improvements have been made in the locker rooms as well. The men's area features a team meeting room, a player lounge, and individual wooden lockers. It connects directly with the training room, allowing easy access to medical attention. The women's locker room was also expanded to create a larger lounge and meeting room area. A complete renovation of the interior components included the donation of a big-screen television and installation of new furniture and carpeting. Since The Convo opened its doors over 40 years ago, the Bobcat men's basketball squad has won more than 75-percent of its home games, including undefeated records during the 1969-70 and 1984-85 seasons. The Bobcats clinched their first conference title while in The Convo (eighth overall) against Bowling Green on Feb. 28, 1970 before a standing-room-only crowd of 14,102, a Mid-American Conference record that still stands today. In volleyball, the Bobcats have posted a 47-0 record at home over the last five seasons, including all-time-best marks of 9-0 in both 2003 and 2004. Ohio owns the nation's second-longest home winning streak. Under head coach Geoff Carlston, the Bobcats have won the MAC regular season and MAC Tournament crowns for the last three seasons. Since The Convo doors have openend, the Ohio wrestling program has fielded 12 of its league-high 15 Mid-American Conference championship teams. The Bobcats won consecutive titles from 1970 through 1976 and later from 1993 through 1995. It has hosted the MAC Wrestling Championships in 2004, 2001, 1992, 1985, 1977 and 1971. |
