Harold Anderson’s legacy and accomplishments will be remembered in the Stroh Center at Bowling Green
State University.
Anderson served as Bowling Green’s head men’s basketball coach from 1942-63, compiling a 367-193 record
in 21 seasons. He was also the athletics director at BG and was instrumental in the development of
Memorial Hall and Doyt Perry Stadium. The current basketball court in Memorial Hall is named in
Anderson’s honor.
At the Stroh Center, the club area will be named the Anderson Club. In addition to serving as the seating
and hospitality area for approximately 400 fans, the Anderson Club is expected to host a number of
outside events.
Bowling Green’s Board of Trustees approved the naming of the area at their last board meeting and the
official announcement is being made today by the BG athletics department.
"Harold Anderson’s legacy has been embraced on this campus since Anderson Arena opened," BG
athletics director Greg Christopher said. "Including the Anderson name in the Stroh Center was
important for us. I’m excited that we will continue to honor coach Anderson in a visible and meaningful
way."
Anderson’s BG teams made three NCAA tournament appearances and six trips to the National Invitation
Tournament. The 1946-47 team went 28-7, the most wins in program history. Anderson was the president of
the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) from 1962-63 and was instrumental in starting the
East-West All-Star Game.
At the time of his retirement, he was one of only five coaches to win 500 games at the collegiate level
and he was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. in 1985.
"We are delighted to learn that Bowling Green’s basketball history will be a part of the Stroh
Center," Ellen Anderson, one of Harold’s daughters said. "Dad was very proud of BG athletics
and would be happy to see this move to maintain a strong basketball presence."
The Anderson Club will consist of an approximately 1,500 square foot club area and chair back seating for
roughly 400 fans. It will include hospitality areas, food and beverage service, high-definition
televisions and areas to view the games.
The club area will be located on the concourse level on the south side of the building at mid-court and
seating for fans will extend to the floor-level row. Fans may begin reserving Anderson Club seats
beginning in the fall of 2010.
The official groundbreaking for the Stroh Center is this fall and the arena is scheduled for completion
in time for the 2011-12 basketball season. It will be built on the current Lot 6 parking area and is
expected to seat approximately 4,700 fans.
BG’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and the volleyball team will play in the Stroh Center.
The gymnastics team will use the Anderson Arena facility in Memorial Hall.
