John F. Savage Arena, the home of Rocket women's basketball, is one of the finest athletic facilities of its kind in the country. A $30 million renovation and expansion of Savage Arena, along with the adjoining Charles A. Sullivan Athletic Complex, debuted in November of 2008.
The Toledo women's basketball team boasts one of the best atmospheres for home games not just in the Mid-American Conference, but in the entire country. The Rockets have led the MAC in attendance an astounding 30 consecutive seasons and have ranked Top 30 nationally in eight of the last nine years. During its historic run through the 2011 postseason, Toledo hosted a school-record and MAC-best 7,301 fans vs. USC in the Postseason WNIT Championship Game.
The Rockets have dominated play on the Savage Arena floor as well, winning over 75 percent of their home games since beginning play there in 1982-83. Under head coach Tricia Cullop, Toledo owns a record of 152-53 (.742) when playing at home, and her teams have compiled a record of 86-32 (.729) when playing MAC games at Savage.
Originally known as Centennial Hall when it was built in 1976, the arena was renamed "Savage Hall" in 1988 and then became "Savage Arena" in 2008 as part of the renovation project. A national audience was able to see firsthand how impressive Savage Arena is when Toledo hosted the first and second rounds of the 2014 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
Designed by architectural firms of SSOE, Inc. and Ellerbe Becket, the renovated Savage Arena includes a "bowl-style" seating configuration that brings fans close to the action. Seating capacity for basketball is 7,014.
Among the other improvements to the arena in 2008 were the addition of a brand-new basketball court; suites, loges and club seats along the west side of the arena; a new jumbo video scoreboard and sound system; new lighting; new rest rooms and concession stands; a remodeled Joe Grogan Room, a glass-enclosed lounge with seating for up to 200 inner guests; new locker rooms and team rooms; and a new athletic training room, complete with two whirlpools and the latest in treatment and rehabilitation equipment.
Adjoining Savage Arena is the Sullivan Complex, a 36,000 square-foot building that is a perfect complement to the arena. Highlighting the Sullivan Complex is a beautiful glass atrium lobby that serves as the primary entrance into Savage Arena. Other features include a ticket office; Rocky's Locker for the sale of Toledo merchandise on game day and during normal business hours; a display for the Varsity 'T' Hall of Fame; the Downtown Coaches "Wall of Champions"; a 5,600 square-foot strength and training center for Toledo student-athletes; and offices for coaches and staff.
Chapman Basketball Complex (Photo Gallery)
