Since most people don't hit the homepage... Here's my take on the end of the Anderson Arena era...

http://www.ay-ziggy-zoomba.com/2011/03/ ... e-closing/

Great post Grant. You have a lot that you will be leaving behind in that old building.

And since you mentioned Dakich's twitter postings, this one stood out to me: "Will go to grave..if kid doesn't jump on Germaine Fitch and tear his ACL 2 things happen..BGSU goes 2 NCAA tourney and Fitch plys in NBA" 1. Let it go Dan, the 'kid' felt horrible and probably still does. 2. Never did I think Germaine Fitch would ever play in the NBA.

Gonna miss old Anderson Arena. Like everyone else, had some of the most exciting times of my life in that building. If I could go back in time, I'd go back to a sold out, jam packed Anderson Arena during a Jimmy L or DD coached team (obviously some of you are a tad older than me) during a huge MAC game (Akron and Kent come to mind) where the house was absolutely rocking. The adrenaline that was flowing and the fun that was had is irreplaceable. Nothing like it. The crowd was so loud that you couldnt hear the person next to you. The fans right on the floor in the opposing players and refs ears. And then would come the big shots and big wins that created a storming of the court; nothing like it. But all good things must come to an end and new adventures and memories must be created. Thank you AA for the awesome memories.

I remember an Akron game in the Dakich era, I was playing bass in the alumni band, and we (the crowd) just got into Angie (Andy) Hipsher's head... completely rattled him. He ended up mixing it up a little bit with some students in the first couple rows, and then he started to get the "A$$ HOLE" chant... His daddy protested, but Angie was rendered completely ineffective, in fact, I saw something golden trickling down his leg the rest of the game.

I remember that game well. Angie was done as soon as he got into it with the students.

Another classic game was BG-Miami not sure the exact year at end of Larranaga era. Miami hitting everything in the 1st half goes up 20 early second half. BG makes incredible comeback topped off by a Phillip Murray dunk that sent the place into a complete frenzy. BG goes on 20-0 nothing run in which Miami calls atleast 3 TO's to attempt to kill the run. The band playlist was pretty much the "Hey" song for a half hour that night. Awesome.

Phil "Big Poppa" Murray!!!

Jay Jackson was the band director back then... he was from North Carolina... tobacco road... and was a huge college hoops fan, so he was TOTALLY into hoops and making the band be as big a part of the action as he could. It really DID make a difference! Now they aren't even allowed to play "Hey" because it could be considered offensive. F--K political correctness!

Dr. Jackson is back at his alma mater, Appalachian State now... I'll bet they have a kick-ass athletic band!

Ya we need the "Hey" song brought back badly. Everyone knew it was coming and the band had it rocking before the opposing team could find seats on the bench. Great great times.

Another absolute classic was Kirk Whiteman for Three!!!! The Siena game where we scored like a 130 points and some guard we never heard from again scored 30+. What was his name? Get up there Billy Johnson, well before he tried to punch Larranaga and got tossed off team. Steve Watson. James Cerisier (sp?), Pardon going through his legs backwards and just schooling that guy. Wow.

Ahhh...pooor Angie Hipsher.

Some of my other favorites were Western Michigan's Robby Collum "A-Ceeee SLATER!" (didn't he play for like 12 years?) and Akron's Jamie "Doughnut Boy" Bosley.

Those student sections were rocking, back then!

Bosley was great humor. That was the era where OSU hoops just got blown up by coaching changes all the current OSU players ended up in the MAC. Bosley had a criminal record and an attitude that had all Cleveland area BG students ready for those games. He came onto the court and it was on. Robby Collum had the most amazing hair I've ever seen. It was kinda a perm, kinda a mullet, just like AC Slater.

Better watch what you say. Wouldn't want to have the webmaster have to warn you about the improper language

Germain Fitch was barely an average MAC player? NBA? Delusional.

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncb/playe ... yerId=5428

I still like the game where Rick Majerus of Ball State was so upset with the referees he took a chair and put it at center court and sat in the chair waiting for the ref's to come back out after halftime. Coach Majerus just sat there during the whole half and let's his assistants talk to the team at half. My Dad went and asked Majerus why he was sitting there and he toldmy Dad that he didn't want to miss the Ref's coming back out of the lockerroom. He was all sweaty so my Dad then went and grabbed him a soda and a towel. My parents went to the BG - St Louis game this year and Rick remembered my Dad. Then later that day Rick got injured in the game. Still one of my favorite coaches.

I saw Danny Nee run onto the court and grab the ball from the official's hands and throw it down on the floor.

Oddly, he did not even receive a technical for it!

I also remember having a ton of fun with Ron Harper and a guy who played for Western who was in jail once...was it Booker or something???

Was there a student section Hipsher didn't get involved with?

Is that the Andy Hipsher who averaged double figures for his career, got about 6 boards per game, shot 50% from the field and had a four year free ride and now makes a living coaching? He was clearly devastated by all the head games.

ESPN has him as a senior this year but notes (correctly) that he hasn't played in any Akron game. Yet.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/pr ... yerId=4662