Office of University Communications 

Missouri State tops $5 million goal for JQH Arena construction

SPRINGFIELD – More than $7.2 million in private gifts has now been donated or pledged to support the JQH Arena at Missouri State University. Included in that total is the $5 million in private funding the university committed to raise for construction of the facility above and beyond the $30 million lead gift from John Q. Hammons. Also included in the $7.2 million total is $2.2 million toward additional enhancements, such as a video scoreboard and home locker room facilities.

Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel provided this update today (Jan. 19) at the Board of Governors’ mid-year retreat. During the retreat, the Board received an update on the 12 goals for 2007-08.

Next week, university officials plan to identify the most recent donors for JQH Arena, as well as for other academic and athletic areas.

The $67 million JQH Arena, named for Hammons in recognition of his $30 million gift, is under construction and will be completed in time for the 2008-09 basketball season. The facility will have more than 11,000 seats, a grand entrance, 24 private suites, more than 100 loge seats, 55 “Jack Nicholson courtside seats,” a Hall of Fame, a team souvenir store and a ticket office. JQH Arena is being built just east of Hammons Student Center, with a connecting corridor between the facilities. Ground-breaking for the project was Dec. 21, 2006.