Otterbein's major athletics facilities include Memorial Stadium, the Rike Center, and the Clements Recreation and Fitness Center.
Memorial Stadium was rededicated on September 17, 2005.
The new $3.2 million stadium, with handicap access, features seating for 2,400, including a reserved section in the middle with 500 stadium chairs, and a press box. The original Memorial Stadium was built in 1948 and dedicated in honor of Otterbein's war veterans.
Additional outdoor sports facilities include tennis courts, and separate fields for softball, baseball and soccer. A 2.5-mile cross country course, which meanders Alum Creek and traverses woods and farmland, opened in the fall of 1995.
The Frank and Vida Clements Recreational and Fitness Center was dedicated on October 18, 2002. The $9.5 million center enhances the curriculum and clinical experiences for students preparing for careers in health, fitness and athletic training.
The center has two components: an 80,000 square-foot field house, complete with a sanctioned six-lane, 200-meter indoor track; and a two-story connector to the existing Rike Center, which features a high-tech cardiovascular fitness area, fully-equipped training and rehabilitation center, coaching offices, classrooms and a student lounge area.
The Rike Center houses physical education facilities and offices. The domed roof encloses an intercollegiate hardwood basketball floor with seating for 3,100; nets and space to segment three courts each for volleyball, basketball or tennis; equipped weight training room; newly-renovated practice wrestling room; two handball courts; dance/fitnessactivities space; and locker rooms for varsity teams and physical education classes.
Additionally, nets serve to section off a baseball infield and batting cages. Conventional classrooms and offices are located on the perimeter.
Facility Requests:
The Athletic Department takes many requests throughout the year with respect to rental of our facilities.
As per The Campus Reservation and Policy Handbook, the University does not reserve facilities to outside groups when school is in session unless it is of great benefit to the Otterbein community. All such requests must be made
at least one month in advance so that review by the Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs and/or President’s Cabinet can be made in a timely manner.
Requests for events scheduled during the summer break are processed through our Summer Conference Office.
Please contact Julie Saker at jsaker@otterbein.edu to discuss any of those future events.
Thank you,
Dawn Stewart
Director of Athletics
Otterbein University
