Bentson/Bunker Fieldhouse
From NDSUwiki
| Bentson/Bunker Fieldhouse | |
| [[Image:|250px|]] | |
| Previously: | Old Fieldhouse |
|---|---|
| Construction: | 1931 |
| Contains Cluster: | No |
| Primary Usage: | Gynmnasium |
| Primary Occupant: | Department of and Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences |
| Additional Occupant: | Air Force ROTC |
| Additional Occupant: | Military Science Army ROTC |
The Bentson/Bunker Fieldhouse is an academic and athletic building that serves the Deparment of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences as well as provides a gymnasium for various sports and activities. The Old Fieldhouse, now Bentson/Bunker Fieldhouse, was erected to provide a large, fireproof building for physical education, assemblies, and military instruction.
Contents |
Location
The Benton/Bunker Fieldhouse is located at University Drive and 14th Ave. north of Churchill Hall. The building is highlighted here.
Current Uses
The building houses the Department of and Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, as well as the NDSU devisions of the ROTC. Additionally, the building houses a gymnasium that seats 3,600 or three basketball courts used by the volleyball and wrestling teams.
History
In late 1929 or early 1930, the State Legislature made an appropriation of $125,000 for the construction of a physical education building on the College's campus. It ended up costing $210,000. On December 5, 1931 it was dedicated during half-time of the basketball game between the Agricultural College and the University of Minnesota.
Although the main purpose of the Fieldhouse was to meet the needs of the students' physical education and the College's athletic programs, there was a short period of time when the U. S. Army used the building to help the war effort. In 1942, the Fieldhouse served as part of the twelve-week officer candidate school. The army had the building renovated in order to serve as barracks. The first class was on September 21, 1942 with 335 candidates present. Every four weeks saw a new class of 335 candidates and by the program's end in July 1943 approximately 1600 participants graduated as Second Lieutenants.
In November 1994, the Fieldhouse, now called the Old Fieldhouse after the building of the Bison Sports Arena in 1970, became the Bentson-Bunker Fieldhouse after the State Board of Higher Education approved the name change. The name change was in recognition of monetary gifts totaling $1 million from Fargo businessman Art Bunker and his wife Norene. Bunker requested that Bentson be added in recognition of his former coach Chuch Bentson.
