Branch Rickey Arena

Last updated
Branch Rickey Arena
Owu athletics logo.png
BranchRickeyWesleyan.jpg
Interior view of the arena, 2006
Branch Rickey Arena
Address Delaware, OH
United States
Coordinates 40°17′42″N83°03′59″W / 40.294902°N 83.066339°W / 40.294902; -83.066339
Owner Ohio Wesleyan University
OperatorOWU Athletics
Type Arena
Capacity 3,000
Current use Basketball
Volleyball
Opened1976;49 years ago (1976)
Tenants
Website
owu.edu/branch-rickey-arena/

Branch Rickey Arena is a 2,300-seat arena at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, located centrally on campus and adjacent to Edwards Gymnasium. It is home to the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams.

It opened in June 1976, replacing Edwards Gymnasium, which was remodeled to become a full-time exercise facility. It was named for the late Branch Rickey, class of 1904, a major benefactor to the university and a manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. [1] Rickey is often regarded as "the mentor to Jackie Robinson", [2] the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. [3] [4]

References

  1. Branch Rickey Arena at bishops.owu.edu, URL accessed November 17, 2009. Archived 11/17/09
  2. Branch Rickey, el mentor de Jackie Robinson by Mary Montes on prodavinci.com
  3. The Ball Stayed White, but the Game Did Not By Shirley Povich on The Washington Post. March 28, 1997; Page E03
  4. Jackie Robinson’s Signing: The Real Story by Jules Tygiel - John Thorn at The Society for American Baseball Research