Gallagher-Iba Arena
From NCAA Wiki
| |
| Facility Statistics | |
| Location | Stillwater, OK |
| Broke Ground | N/A |
| Opened | 1938 |
| Owner | Oklahoma State University |
| Operator | Oklahoma State University |
| Surface | Hardwood (White Maple) |
| Seating Capacity | 13,611 |
| Cost (USD) | 1,500,0000 |
Gallager-Iba Arena is the home of Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls athletics. The historic building has undergone a massive $55 million construction project and is part of the OSU Athletics Center. Its 13,611-seat capacity allows more O-State fans to enjoy OSU athletics events, and the auxiliary facilities are second to none in the region.
Originally named Gallagher Hall after OSU fabled wrestling coach Ed Gallagher, the Board of Regents honored legendary Cowboy basketball coach Henry Iba when the arena was remodeled in 1987, and his name was added to the arena title.
Gallagher served as OSU wrestling coach from 1916-40. In his 23 years, OSU won 11 national team titles and compiled a 138-5-4 dual record. Gallagher was also an outstanding athlete while attending Oklahoma State. He was captain of the track team for three years, and his 99-yard run against Kansas State in 1908 will always stand as the longest football run in school history.
Iba, who passed away in January of 1993, was a coaching giant in the sport of basketball. He coached in 1,105 collegiate games, and his 767 career wins were fourth only to Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp and Jim Phelan. Iba served as coach and athletic director at OSU from 1935 to 70, and in those 36 seasons, posted a 655-316 record while guiding the Cowboys to 13 league championships, eight NCAA appearances and the 1945 and 1946 NCAA Championships.
Along with the expansion of the historic arena, the OSU Athletics Center has many features. A total of 14 luxury suites stretch across the west side of the facility, overlooking both the basketball court and the football field. Banners signifying the success of Oklahoma State Athletics are hung from the rafters. The pride of OSU athletic triumphs are also illustrated in photographic and trophy displays in Heritage Hall.
Even after two major construction projects, today's players still compete on the gym's original white maple floor, which was the country's most expensive when it was installed in 1938. The arena was built in 1938 at a cost of $1.5 million. National powers Oklahoma State and Kansas opened the facility on Dec. 9 in a game that matched coaching legends Henry Iba and Phog Allen. OSU won that game, 21-15.
| Big XII Basketball Venues Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas) • Bob Devaney Sports Center (Nebraska) • Bramlage Coliseum (Kansas State) • Coors Events Center (Colorado) •Ferrell Center (Baylor) • Frank Erwin Center (Texas) • Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State) • Hilton Coliseum (Iowa State) •Lloyd Noble Center (Oklahoma) • Mizzou Arena (Missouri) • Reed Arena (Texas A&M) • United Spirit Arena (Texas Tech) |
