Evangel University Dedicates New AGFinancial Arena
The dedication ceremony for the spacious new home for the Evangel Valor football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball programs took place Friday morning.
Evangel University officially dedicated its newly completed AGFinancial Arena and Randy Rowden Training Center Friday morning during a ceremony that included local and state business leaders and government officials.The new 71,000-square-foot arena was properly “christened” earlier in September when the Valor volleyball team, in the first game ever played in the new facilities, earned a victory over 25th ranked Columbia College in an NAIA match-up.
The $23 million sports complex houses two regulation basketball and volleyball courts with seating for over 1,400. It’s also the new home for the Springfield, Missouri, university’s football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball teams.
“I am filled with immense joy and excitement as we officially open the doors to the new AGFinancial Arena,” said Dr. Mike Rakes, EU president. “[It] represents our commitment to excellence in elevating the student experience at Evangel. I can’t wait to see this arena come alive with energy, passion, and school spirit as it becomes a cornerstone for our athletes and campus community.”
The arena boasts a robust 4,600-square-foot weight room with more than 13,000 pounds of new weight equipment in addition to 25 offices, athletic viewing suites, a multipurpose room, team film room with theater-style seating, a spacious athletic medicine training area, 16 locker rooms, and 14 video screens, including a large exterior display. In addition, the south side of the facility offers an exceptional view of Evangel’s turf football/soccer field.
“This is a state-of-the-art facility,” said AG General Superintendent Doug Clay. “I am grateful that it will be used as a tool for the spiritual and physical formation of students who attend Evangel.”
A $10 million matching gift challenge from the Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby and Mardel, was instrumental to the project’s success. The matching gift was the second $10 million donation made by the family, with the first received in June of 2022. A groundbreaking was held in the fall of 2022 and construction began that winter. The athletic facility is the first new construction project on Evangel’s campus since 2009.