Leaving Levitt

The Shocker men’s and women’s basketball teams closed out Levitt Arena in grand style last week with wins for both teams. After 47 years and 685 games, the arena, which originally opened in 1955 as the WSU Field House, closed after the final men’s basketball game of the season Feb. 25.

Athletic offices started moving Feb. 26 into their temporary location at the Marcus Center, east of Eck Stadium. The department’s ticket office has relocated to the Eck Stadium ticket office. Phone numbers and mailing addresses will remain the same.

The arena is being renovated and additional facilities are being constructed, including a multi-purpose center, athletic training complex and the strength and conditioning center.

Construction begins this month and is to conclude in late summer/ early fall 2003.

The new complex will be named the Levitt Athletic Complex, and the arena will be renamed Koch Arena to reflect a $6 million gift from Koch Industries.

Dondlinger & Sons Construction, the original contractor for the Field House in 1955, was awarded the contract for the $25 million Roundhouse Renaissance construction project.

–Compiled by Amy Geiszler-Jones