The Jackrabbit volleyball team’s perfect record is on the line as they return home Thursday to the newly renovated First Bank & Trust Arena.
The women’s volleyball team will play Kansas City on Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m., the first event held in the renovated space. The team is currently 13-0 and ranked No. 1 in the Summit League.
“The team’s confidence is at an all-time high,” Head Coach Dan Georgalas said. “We have had this game circled on our calendar for two years. Volleyball is very grateful and lucky to be the first event of any kind in the new arena.”
During the renovation process, the women’s volleyball team only hosted conference games, changing the look of their season.
“We ended up traveling all four weekends of non-conference play, which certainly affected our win-loss record last season,” said Georgalas.
Following the spring commencement in 2022, work began on the $50 million renovation of what was previously known as Frost Arena. The construction was done in phases during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 winter sports seasons.
“I remember during my sophomore year because they were starting to renovate the arena, there were sparks flying, dust everywhere and bleachers falling,” volleyball player Analee Ventling-Brown said. “It was all an adjustment to not focus on those distractions during practice.”
The volleyball team had to overcome challenges and work around construction once it began.
“The project includes improved seating, concourse and locker facilities, creating a state-of-the-art stadium,” said Kyle Hubers, the project manager overseeing First Bank & Trust Arena with Henry Carlson Construction. “The upgrade features new main and student entrances, reconfiguration of the bowl to enhance seating, sight lines and fan experience, as well as various seating options like private boxes, clubs and party decks.”
The design plan was dedicated to improving the space for everyone involved in SDSU events. The goal was to enhance each event experience and provide additional advancements for student-athletes.
“The concourse will be enlarged to accommodate more concessions, restrooms, feature walls and other amenities, along with sports medicine facilities, hydrotherapy tubs, three classrooms, student study spaces and administrative areas,” said Hubers.
The renovations have also changed arena seating for fans, improving the atmosphere for players.
“It was just a surreal experience,” Ventling-Brown said after walking into the new arena for the first time. “From the court, you’ll be able to see all the fans surrounding you. It is that community experience that all of us athletes talk about.”
The focus on fan experience was a priority and allowed for a large seating capacity.
“With the changes to seating, ticket availability was not affected,” Robert Krause, director of ticket operations said. “When an arena changes from bleacher seats to stadium seating, there is potential for lost capacity. However, First Bank & Trust Arena provides new areas for Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets and hospitality which will counteract any loss of bleacher ‘seats’, so the availability of tickets will remain around 5,000.”
The renovations caused changes to the arena’s entrances that guests should be aware of.
“The arena’s new southeast entrance off Jackrabbit Avenue will now serve as the primary entrance, as well as the location of the new ticket office. Students should utilize the new southwest entrance, closest to the Student Union, as their primary entrance,” Krause said.
The opening event will celebrate a new future of athletics, academic achievements and other special events in the arena.
“It’s a lot of pressure but I think it’s a good pressure in a way,” Junior outside hitter Katie Van Egdom said. “This is a huge project that has been going on for a while so for us to be able to open it, first of all, we’re super grateful but we’re also not taking it lightly and we want to exceed everybody’s expectations.”
To show appreciation for fans and students, there will be bonuses for those who support Jackrabbit volleyball. The first 500 students can get free pizza, mocktails and 300 Rabbit Rewards points, courtesy of Student Affairs. First Bank & Trust will provide free T-shirts to the first 300 fans and a commemorative ticket for season ticket holders.
The volleyball team is grateful to open this arena and is looking to start it off on the right foot.
“We want to break our attendance record of 1,500 fans,” Georgalas said. “I am hoping that we can get to 3,000 fans if I’m dreaming big for our program. I want to get the biggest crowd, not in SDSU volleyball history, but Summit League.”
