MAC Center

Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center

MAC Center, MACC
Exterior in 2009; Interior in 2015
Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center Show map of the US Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center Show map of Ohio Location in the United States and Ohio
Former names	Men's Physical Education Building (1950–56) Memorial Gym (1956–91)
Location	1025 Risman Drive Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
Coordinates	41°08′53″N 81°20′38″W / 41.148°N 81.344°W / 41.148; -81.344Coordinates: 41°08′53″N 81°20′38″W / 41.148°N 81.344°W / 41.148; -81.344
Owner	Kent State University
Operator	Kent State University
Capacity	6,327
Surface	Hardwood
Construction
Broke ground	May 3, 1949
Built	1949–1950
Opened	December 2, 1950
Renovated	1990–92
Expanded	1977–79
Construction cost	$1.33 million ($13.2 million in 2016 dollars)
Architect	Fulton, Krinsky, and Dela Motte Braun and Steidl (1992 renovation)
Tenants
Kent State Golden Flashes (NCAA) Men's basketball (1950–present) Women's basketball (1977–present) Women's gymnastics (1964–present) Women's volleyball (1978–present) Wrestling (1950–present) Men's gymnastics (1950–1994) Men's swimming (1950–1988) Women's swimming (1962–1988)

The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, often referred to as the MAC Center and the MACC, is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The building is primarily used as an athletic venue that is home to five Kent State Golden Flashes varsity athletic teams, including the men's basketball and women's basketball teams. The arena also hosts women's volleyball, women's gymnastics, and wrestling as well as commencement exercises, speakers, and concerts throughout the year. The building houses the offices of the Kent State Athletic Department and the coaches of each of the university's varsity athletic teams.

The MAC Center opened in 1950 as the "Men's Physical Education Building" to replace Wills Gymnasium as the home of the men's basketball, wrestling, and men's swimming programs and men's physical education department. From 1956 to 1991, it was known as Memorial Gymnasium in honor of Kent State students who died in World War I and World War II. It was expanded in 1977 and underwent a major renovation between 1990 and 1992. Since 1992, the arena seating capacity has been listed at 6,327 in the basketball configuration. The MAC Center is a regular site for the Mid-American Conference championship meets for both wrestling and women's gymnastics and a past host of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) events. As of 2010, the building is the 19th-oldest arena in NCAA Division I college basketball and oldest in the Mid-American Conference.

Plans for the MAC Center were drawn up in the late 1940s as Kent State saw a rapid enrollment increase in men following World War II. It was one of multiple construction projects at KSU during the post-war period, which included the first men's dormitory, Stopher Hall, in 1948, and a new practical arts building, later named Van Deusen Hall, in 1951. The state of Ohio approved funding in 1947 for the gym and work began in late April 1949 with an official groundbreaking on May 3, 1949. The facility was dedicated December 2, 1950 and hosted its first three athletic events as part of the dedication exercises. The wrestling team defeated Case Institute of Technology 21–8, followed by a 42–33 men's swimming victory over the Ohio Bobcats, and concluded with the men's basketball team claiming a 51–46 upset win over the Pittsburgh Panthers in front of approximately 4,000 fans. As of 2010 it is the 19th-oldest arena in U.S. college basketball. The original building included the main gym and a pool, connected by a removable wall, as well as offices and other rooms to house the Physical Education department. The building replaced Wills Gymnasium, built in 1925, as the home of the Golden Flashes men's basketball, swimming, and wrestling teams. In 1956, the Men's Physical Education building was rededicated as Memorial Gym in honor of Kent State students who died in both world wars.