Bowling Green State University Athletics
Anderson Arena Memories - Volume 17
March 25, 2011 | General
There are no more games in Anderson Arena, but there are enough memories to last several lifetimes. The submissions keep pouring in, and we at BGSUFalcons.com will do our best to post as many of them as possible. You've sent us your favorite memories, and here they are, in your own words. Today's edition of the memories features some recollections of several huge men's basketball wins, a brush with 70s rock greatness, and some thoughts from one of the best players in Falcon volleyball history...
Mike
BG men's basketball vs. Toledo in January of 2005. It was my freshman year and there was a women's game before the men's tipped off so Anderson was jam packed all day as a snowstorm began outside the gym doors. Both BG and UT had good teams that season and the Saturday night matchup was much anticipated all week. The falcons played an absolute awful first half and found themselves down 17 at halftime. But the Orange & Brown came out fired up and stormed back into the game. A John Reimold 3 just missed but an incoming Germain Fitch slammed home the putback and Anderson Arena was rocking. The whole crowd stood the entire 2nd half and BG was up just one point with seconds remaining in the game. As a fadeaway baseline jumper by Toledo at the buzzer fell off the rim the student section stormed the court and the Arena went wild. It was the first time I'd ever stormed a court and was the best game I ever attended at Anderson.
Dwight
My favorite memory of Anderson Arena is in the 1966-67 season. I probably should have been studying but when Michigan came to Anderson Arena I had to be there. It was Michigan one year after Cazzy Russell. BG beat Michigan, had a losing season, but went on to beat both Wisconsin and Michigan State which made BG 3-0 against the Big Ten. That, of course, is a very good thing.
Chuck
Around 1974-75, BG hosted Houston who was one of the highest scoring teams in the country. I walked into Anderson Arena and it was packed and loud. I remember that one of BG's guards had a game to remember (I think his name was Montgomery and Houston had two outstanding players in Dunbar and Birdsong). Guy Lewis was the well-known coach for Houston. He always had a towel in his hand. It was an unbelievable game to watch. I don't think anyone thought BG could keep up with the fast-paced Cougars. If I remember right each team scored at least 110 points apiece and BG won!
Shawn
We were playing Eastern Michigan who at the time was ranked #25 and it was only days after Antonio Daniels' brother had passed away. The story was that his brother, playing for Dayton, had planned to make the trip to see the game because they were playing a ranked opponent and it was a feature game for BG that season. As the game was coming to a close and Bowling Green needing a bucket to win, Daniels was on a breakaway and the Eastern Michigan player tripped, allowing Daniels a clear path to the basket and laying up the game winner. It was said that his brother was there looking over. We then all stormed the court in victory.
Dennis
My best memory of BGSU Basketball was my first year as a police officer here at BGSU and working the BGSU vs. Michigan State game. The crowd was amazing and loud, very loud! The statement by Jud Heathcote was that he would never play in a MAC Arena again and that they could not get a call. If I remember right it was a Big Ten officiating crew that did the game. I was standing right at the end of the Michigan State bench when the official warned Mr. Heathcote to set down or he would get a technical. Mr. Heathcote didn't and the official did! What a game!
Larry
There was no higher pleasure than being in Anderson Arena when the Falcons defeated Loyola of Chicago who later on won the NCAA national championship. It was in the 60's and Butch Komives was part of the team and also I think Eli Chapman and Wavey Junior. It was a full house and BG controlled Loyola's All American Jerry Harkness.
Alic
My father was a Psych prof at BGSU, and when I graduated, he was the representative for the department. He sat up on the stage with the rest of the faculty. When it was my turn to cross the stage, I got my diploma, and ran over to give him a big bear hug. I am sure many people watching wondered why, but it didn't matter. I'd grown up on the campus, born and raised in Bowling Green, it seemed to be a fitting end to my life there in town. 27 years later, I sat in Anderson Arena, once again while my oldest daughter walked in so excited about her own graduation at BG. I couldn't help but think about my day, so many years before, and how this circle has been complete. Her Grandpa would have been so proud! My younger daughter is a junior at BG this year, and we'll have to start a new tradition when she graduates next year!
Mike
I will never forget meeting Robin Zander (of Cheap Trick) on the North side of Anderson Arena on the afternoon prior to their concert. I was a member of the Army ROTC and we were playing football on the lawn north of Memorial Hall. it was a rainy friday afternoon and I was defending another player going for the bomb in the “end zone” close to the walkway on the North side of the building. We both dove for the pass, sloshed thru the mud and slid on the grass up to the sidewalk just as the guys from Cheap Trick were coming out the door. Robin Zander and his posse were exiting the building after their sound check and getting into limos. He stopped to talk to one of our Senior cadets and said, “that was cool” to me and my friend. We would have shook hands but we were filthy and he was a rock star. so that didn't happen. we all stood and watched them drive off with their posse in several limos.
Rick
MY MEMORIES IS BEING WITH FRIENDS AT THE GAME.
Caty (Rommeck) Gittner
It is hard to focus on one memory of “The House that Roars” because I possess so many fond memories that helped mold me into the athlete that I was and the person that I have become today. I would like to think that I did justice to your nickname, as BG News Sports Editor Nick Hurm once wrote, “If Caty Rommeck's height was measured by intensity, the Bowling Green middle-hitter could take her lengthy arms she uses for blocking and slamming down volleyball to raise the roof of Anderson Arena.” Not many Bowling Green athletes can say they let their voice be heard in Anderson Arena wearing two different collegiate jerseys.
The first time I walked into your house I wore an Oakland University jersey. I remember vividly being in the visitor's locker room. It was uncomfortably warm and small, nothing about it appealed to me. Thinking back I believe the locker room achieved its goal, serving as a distraction for BG's opponents.
Fortunately, the next time I stepped onto the court of Anderson I was wearing a jersey that read, “Falcons, #12.” Anderson Arena quickly became my home away from home. I was now a BGSU student-athlete and the opponents sought me out. I spent countless hours up in the rafters studying, within the locker room viewing video, on the court becoming a player, in coach's office learning the ropes, and in the stands cheering on my fellow athletes. I became and will forever be a Falcon.
As a player one of my fondest memories of Anderson Arena was against Western Michigan University in 2001. They had captured the MAC Championship the previous year. This year we served as one another's hurdle to becoming #1 in the MAC. The final match point came down to following the ball across the two-inch thick line that served as the difference between the beginning of a new point and the end of a match. I watched it hit the floor and bounce in front of me. One quick glimpse across the net at our opponent illustrated disbelief on their faces. I turned towards my teammates, threw my arms in the air, and let my voice be heard throughout the arena. We had won our home opener and beat the reigning MAC Champions!
As a student-athlete my greatest achievement was receiving my diploma in Anderson Arena. I walked across the stage in my enhanced cap (volleyball affixed on top) and gown. Exiting the stage I looked up at that banners that read, “East Division Champions 2000 & 2001.” Finally, looking over to the worn out orange seats one last time to see my mom cheering me onto victory. A bittersweet ending because the years had gone by too fast, but I achieved something bigger than being just a volleyball player.
Nothing brings me more pride than to walk through the doors of Anderson Arena as a BGSU Volleyball Alumnae. Thank you Anderson Arena for being my home away from home, letting my voice be echoed in your house, and allowing me to develop into a first class student-athlete/BGSU alumnae.
Caty Rommeck (Gittner) #12
BGSU Volleyball '99-'01
