Gangelhoff Center is a 3,200-seat multi-purpose

arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...

on the campus of Concordia University in

Saint Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River, Saint Paul is a regional business hub and the center ...

, United States. It opened in 1993. It is the home to Concordia University Golden Bears volleyball and

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...

teams and was home to the Minnesota Ripknees during their one season in the American Basketball Association. It also serves as the indoor home to Concordia University Golden Bears track & field, featuring a 200-meter track with a 4-lane oval and 6-lane straightaway, separate runways for horizontal jumps and pole vault, an integrated throws ring, and space for high jump. The facility's surface is Mondo Super X. The Gangelhoff Center is one of the busiest venues in the

Twin Cities Twin cities are a special case of two neighboring cities or urban centres that grow into a single conurbation – or narrowly separated urban areas – over time. There are no formal criteria, but twin cities are generally comparable in sta ...

. The home court for the volleyball and basketball teams, Gangelhoff has 1,200 permanent seats but can expand its capacity to handle 4,000 fans for an event. One of those times was March 2001 when Concordia hosted the Slam Dunk/Three Point competition that was televised nationally by

ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). Th ...

. A full house was on hand to see the best shooters and dunkers in college basketball partake in intense competition. In December 2008 the Gangelhoff Center hosted the 2008 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championships. The Tournament featured eight teams including host and defending National Champion Concordia University Saint Paul. The tournament was won in dramatic fashion as the #1 Concordia University Golden Bears beat #2 Cal State San Bernardino 3–2. The Gangelhoff Center has served as the venue of several

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges an ...

Regional tournaments and the semifinals and finals of the NSIC basketball and volleyball tournaments over the last three years, In addition to the college volleyball and basketball played here, the Gangelhoff has hosted high school basketball regular season and sectional games, the Minnesota State High School Badminton Tournament, concerts as well as school graduation ceremonies. Several of Concordia's athletic teams practice here when the weather is inclement. In addition, intramural volleyball and basketball is also played here. The 70,000 square foot Gangelhoff Center is named after benefactors Ronald and Doris Gangelhoff.

References

Concordia Golden Bears website
{{coord, 44, 56, 52.87, N, 93, 9, 28.38, W, display=title College basketball venues in the United States Concordia University (Saint Paul, Minnesota) Indoor arenas in Minnesota Sports venues in Saint Paul, Minnesota