McGuirk Arena, previously known as the Daniel P. Rose Center and Rose Arena, is a 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 ...

, in

Mount Pleasant, Michigan Mount Pleasant is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located in Central Michigan, the city is the county seat of Isabella County. The population was 21,688 as of the 2020 United States census. It is surrounded by Union Township but is politic ...

, United States. The arena opened in 1973 and is part of a larger facility known as the CMU Events Center. The arena is home to the

Central Michigan University Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Established in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the private normal school became a state institution and renamed Cen ...

Chippewas men's and women's

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...

, women's

gymnastics Gymnastics is a type of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, dedication and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, shou ...

, women's

volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules. It has been a part of the official program of the Summ ...

, and men's

wrestling Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...

teams.

Amenities

The facility features a pair of club rooms, the largest of which is a space with room for 130 Chippewa fans and plush leather-chair seating for 88. It also features a outdoor patio and is available for receptions, meetings and banquet

History

Ryan Hall/Rose Arena took over as the main hub for Central Michigan's indoor athletic events in 1973 in part of the project to move the athletic events to the south end of campus. Prior to its opening, the main gymnasium was Finch Fieldhouse, itself built in 1951 on South Franklin Street to replace the original Central Hall on Warriner Mall. Previous

seating capacity Seating capacity is the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available, and limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that ...

was 5,200.

Toilet Paper tradition

Prior to 1988, fans would throw toilet paper after a CMU men's basketball player made the first basket. It was estimated that 3,000 rolls were used each game, causing a shortage. Fans would even steal paper from the bathrooms. The Mid-American Conference began assessing technical fouls in 1988 for stopping play and putting the players at risk, thus ending the tradition. The tradition returned during the 2022-23 season, though the ceremonial toss was shifted to pregame. The modern Toilet Paper Toss encouraged the new attendance record for the facility, hosting arch-rival Western Michigan on January 28, 2023. The Chippewas overcame an 11-point deficit to log a game-winning three-pointer with 6.6 seconds to go for a 70-69 final.

Renovation

In 2009–2010, the CMU Events Center underwent a $20 million renovation that included reconfigured seating in the arena, increasing

to 5,300 from the previous capacity of 5,200. The Daniel P. Rose Center would become McGuirk Arena with the court naming rights to John Kulhavi.

Mascot

Rowdie was introduced as the arena's official mascot after the men's basketball team made a trip to the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament in 2003. Rowdie, named after the "Rose Rowdies" student section at that time, has since hosted numerous events supporting various causes. In 2008 Rowdie hosted a basketball game featuring mascots from around Mid-Michigan including

Sparty Sparty is the mascot of Michigan State University. Sparty is usually depicted as a muscular male Spartan warrior/athlete dressed in stylized Greek costume. After changing the team name from "Aggies" to "Spartans" in 1925, various incarnations of ...

from

Michigan State Michigan State University (Michigan State, MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the United States. It i ...

Notable athletes

Retired numbers

Dan Majerle Daniel Lewis Majerle (; born September 9, 1965), also known by the nickname "Thunder Dan", is an American former professional basketball player and former coach of the Grand Canyon Antelopes. He played 14 years in the National Basketball Associat ...

#44 (men's basketball) * Sue Nissen #22 (women's basketball) *

Dan Roundfield Danny Thomas Roundfield (May 26, 1953 – August 6, 2012) was an American professional basketball player. The 6'8" forward/center graduated from Detroit's Chadsey Senior High School in 1971. On the collegiate scene, Roundfield was twice selected ...

#32 (men's basketball) *

James McElroy James "Jimmy Mac" McElroy (1945 - 2011) was an Irish American mobster and racketeer from Manhattan, New York who was an enforcer for The Westies, a criminal organization that operated out of Hell's Kitchen. Biography Jimmy McElroy was born ...

#14 (men's basketball) *

Mel McLaughlin Melanie Louise McLaughlin (born September 1979) is an Australian sport presenter for the Seven Network. McLaughlin previously worked for Fox Sports where she hosted association football shows including ''Kick Off'', Indian Super League and '' F ...

#14 (men's basketball) * Ben Poquette #50 (men's basketball)

NBA/ABA players

Nate Huffman Nate or NATE may refer to: People and fictional characters *Nate (given name) *A nickname for Nathanael *A nickname for Nathaniel Organizations *National Association for the Teaching of English, the UK subject teacher association for all aspects ...

Willie Iverson Willie Iverson (born October 8, 1945) is a retired professional basketball point guard who played one season in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a member of the Miami Floridians during the 1968–69 season. Born in Detroit, Michigan ...

Chris Kaman Christopher Zane Kaman (born April 28, 1982) is a German-American former professional basketball player. Kaman stands 7'0" (2.13 m) and played the Center (basketball), center position. He was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2003 ...

Ben Kelso Ben Kelso (born April 11, 1949) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) player for the Detroit Pistons. He has coached basketball for schools in the Detroit area and was accused and acquitted of an alleged scandal in this capac ...

Jim McElroy James Charles McElroy, Jr. (born October 4, 1953) is an American former professional basketball player. He was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. A 6'3" guard from Central Michigan University, McElroy played in the National Basketball Association ...

* Ben Poquette *

References

External links

Central Michigan Athletic Facilities
Image:rose arena2.jpg, CMU logo at midcourt Image:roseouter.jpg, Main entrance to CMU Events Center {{DEFAULTSORT:Mcguirk Arena Central Michigan Chippewas basketball College basketball venues in the United States College gymnastics venues in the United States College volleyball venues in the United States College wrestling venues in the United States Basketball venues in Michigan Sports venues completed in 1973 1973 establishments in Michigan