Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ expects strong showing from students for basketball at Sanford Center

For just the second time since 1960, Bemidji State’s students will make their way to a new facility in order to show support for Beaver basketball.

For decades, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s students have packed the 2,500-seat Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Gymnasium on campus to support the Beavers. Save for a temporary return to Memorial Hall in the fall of 2004 while a new floor was being installed, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ basketball has made its home in the gym since it opened more than 50 years ago.

On Jan. 16-17, the Beavers will host Minnesota State, Mankato and Concordia-St. Paul for an historic weekend of basketball at the Sanford Center. The city-owned facility has been home of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ men’s and women’s hockey since it opened in October of 2010, but this four-game Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference weekend marks its debut as a host for Beaver basketball.

The Beavers have long counted on a loud and supportive student section to help give it a home-court advantage, and the official student fan club is excited to bring that traditional energy into a new building for this special weekend series.

“The Beaver Dam Fan Club is very excited for this new opportunity to support our Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ men’s and women’s basketball teams,” said Autumn Aeling, president of the club. “The Sanford Center will provide a new and exciting environment to create energy with the student fans and boost school spirit.”

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is offering students a free shuttle from campus to the games on both Friday and Saturday nights. Shuttles will leave from the John Glas Fieldhouse parking lot at 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Friday and at 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Learn more about the Beaver Dam Fan Club on .