Northern Michigan University rededicated Vandament Arena, which now serves as the home court for Wildcat volleyball and women's/men's basketball. At a ceremony Thursday afternoon, attendees were able to see the larger court area, four-sided stadium seating for about 1,400—including some courtside—and modernized look. Additional upgrades include new and more efficient arena lighting, dynamic digital scoreboards, and visual displays inside the arena and in the hallway that highlight the three programs.
President Brock Tessman told the audience that he intentionally stayed away from the $2.8 million project for the most part, only poking his head in periodically as it progressed.
“I hadn't seen it fully decked out until now, but it's great with the graphics on the walls, the video screens and the new floor with a big, bright Wildcat at center court,” he said. “And I love the banners hanging around the arena, especially the two gold national champion banners for volleyball. I think we should have a blank gold banner up there as a reminder of the next national championship. We don't know which team yet, but that's the standard set here.”
Wildcat fans will be closer to the action, particularly for basketball. The men's and women's teams formerly practiced in Vandament, but competed in the Berry Events Center, sharing the facility with the hockey program. Men's basketball coach Matt Majkrzak said it will be nice to practice and play in the same gym.
“It's going to be a huge, huge edge for our teams. With my office being right across the hallway, I got a front-row seat to watch the amazing early work and attention to detail that so many put into this project. I had high expectations for this and they were exceeded.”
“As a coach, it is my responsibility to build a program that succeeds on the floor and in the classroom, with the support of the community,” added volleyball head coach Mike Lozier. “In order to do that, we need to recruit the best athletes and people. This facility with its features will help do that. I think we're one of the most attractive spaces in the Midwest at any level.”
Athletic Director Rick Comley had said that one of his goals when he returned to NMU was to make situations better for multiple teams.
“The new Vandament is an opportunity for us to reward volleyball and put basketball in an environment that better suits them. It was very expensive to host two different sports in the Berry Events Center because of the need to move the wooden floor in over the ice and back out again. This will be much better for both basketball and hockey.”
Three athletes representing their respective sports also spoke at the rededication. A ribbon-cutting and reception followed the program.
Originally named the NMU Volleyball Arena when it opened prior to the 1995 season, the facility was officially dedicated as Vandament Arena in November 1997. The name change occurred soon after former NMU President and avid volleyball supporter William Vandament retired following a six-year tenure in the post. He was in office when the Wildcats won their back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships in 1993 and 1994. He passed away in 2013.
Lozier introduced a recorded video message from Vandament's widow Margery, then showed a piece of the former center court that will be sent to her as a keepsake.
