Athletics Center O'Rena
Home of the Oakland University men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams is the Athletics Center O'Rena. The newest and most modern facility of its kind in The Summit League, it is a part of Oakland University's Recreation and Athletics Center Complex located in the heart of the OU campus.
Home of some of the most enthusiastic crowds in the league, the atmosphere in the O'Rena starts with OU's student section, the Grizz Gang, one of the most vocal groups among Summit League student sections. With great sight lines from every seat, a modern scoreboard and message center, consession areas and a merchandise center, the Athletics Center O'Rena is truly a fan's delight to watch collegiate basketball and volleyball action in.
Groundbreaking for the facility was in the fall of 1996, with the first game occurring on November 17, 1998, when OU hosted Michigan State in front of a packed house of over 4,000 fans and a regional television audience. In addition to the arena, the facility also includes locker rooms for all of OU's 18 sports, a modern training room, office space for the athletic department, a media room, booster room, weight room, equipment room and a 1,000-seat natatorium.
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• Some of the top teams in the nation have visited the O'Rena in the past including Michigan State, Michigan, Missouri and Texas A&M. Always a tough place to play for Golden Grizzly opponents, Oakland has won more than 68 percent of its games in the seven seasons that the facility has been in operation, including a 97-90 win over Michigan in 2000.
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• During the 2008-09 season, both the men's and women's basketball teams posted perfect 9-0 league records inside the Athletics Center O'Rena. In fact, OU's men were perfect at home (12-0) during the 2008-09 campaign, and boast the nation's 11th-longest winning streak at 14 games entering the 2009-10 season. Over the past three years, Oakland's men have posted a 32-6 mark on their home court. |
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• Part of the campus recreation complex, the recreation side of the facility includes a three-court gym, weight training and fitness area, multipurpose/aerobic rooms, racquetball and squash courts, a wellness center and classrooms and meeting areas.
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• The "Grizz Gang" is a main stay at all Golden Grizzly home games. Made up of Oakland students, the "Grizz Gang" is another reason why Oakland has gone 20-6 inside the O'Rena the last two seasons. |
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• The Golden Grizzly Pep Band is present at every home game inside the O'Rena. They provide the Golden Grizzlies with even more of a home court advantage and are located right next to the student section.
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O'Rena Superlatives
Opened: November, 1998
Capacity: 3,000
Largest Crowd: 4,055 vs. Missouri on
Nov. 29, 2003
First Game: Nov. 17, 1998 vs. Michigan State
First OU Win: Nov. 24, 1998,
vs. UM-Dearborn (81-54)
First League Win: Jan. 16, 1999,
vs. UMKC (88-81)
All-Time OU Record: 78-36 (.684)
All-Time OU League Record: 43-18 (.705)
Most OU Points Scored: 114 vs. UMKC on Dec. 6, 2007
Most Opp. Points Scored: 108 by UMKC on Feb. 24, 2000
First OU Men's Win: Nov. 24, 1998, vs. Michigan-Dearborn, (81-54)
First OU Women's Win: Nov. 24, 1998, vs. Morehead State (95-61)
First OU Volleyball Win: Sept. 25, 1998, vs. Chicago State (3-0)
All-Time OU Men's Home Record: 96-43 (.691)
All-Time OU Men's Home League Record: 56-23 (.709)
All-Time OU Women's Home Record: 101-42 (.706)
All-Time OU Women's Home League Record: 62-18 (.775)
All-Time OU Volleyball Home Record: 32-87 (.269)
All-Time OU Volleyball Home League Record: 20-50 (.286)
