Tuesday marked a major milestone for Florida SouthWestern State College, as the university debuted the new Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
A $28 million venture, Suncoast Credit Union Arena has been labeled by Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) as a multipurpose event and recreation space. For athletics, the venue’s primary purpose will be serve to as the home of the FSW Buccaneers basketball and volleyball teams.
The opening of Suncoast Credit Union Arena featured a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader. For university officials, the night not only marked a successful debut for the arena, but also provided a watershed moment for the school’s athletic programs. More from the News-Press.com:
FGCU president Jeff Allbritten, hired at the college in July, 2012, first thought about bringing athletics back in late 2013. By early 2014, he approached the board of trustees with the idea.
“I started thinking, where are we going to play basketball?” Allbritten said. “But to me, it’s not just about basketball. This is a student recreation center. Let’s do something where we can become a better member of the community.”
Florida SouthWestern State’s athletic programs were re-instituted to the NJCAA in the fall of 2015. Prior to that return, the school had not had a full-fledged athletic program since 1997, when it was still known as Edison Community College.
Spanning roughly 75,000 square feet, Suncoast Credit Union Arena features a seating capacity of about 3,500.
