In 2002-03, for the 65th season, the home of Oklahoma State University will be storied Gallagher-Iba Arena, but the venerable fieldhouse has a vastly new look. The arena still provides an up-close view from any seat in the house, helping to give the Cowboys a tremendous home-court advantage but it has been doubled in size and modernized in appearance.

The historic building has undergone a massive $55 million construction project over the past two years and is part of the new OSU Athletics Center. Its 13,611-seat capacity allows more O-State fans to enjoy OSU athletics events, and the auxiliary facilities are second to none in the region.

Originally named Gallagher Hall after OSU fabled wrestling coach Ed Gallagher, the Board of Regents honored legendary Cowboy basketball coach Henry Iba when the arena was remodeled in 1987, and his name was added to the arena title.

Iba, who passed away in January of 1993, was a coaching giant in the sport of basketball. He coached in 1,105 collegiate games, and his 767 career wins were fourth only to Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp and Jim Phelan. Iba served as coach and athletic director at OSU from 1935 to 70, and in those 36 seasons, posted a 655-316 record while guiding the Cowboys to 13 league championships, eight NCAA appearances and the 1945 and 1946 NCAA Championships.

Along with the expansion of the historic arena, the new Athletics Center has many features. A total of 14 luxury suites stretch across the west side of the facility, overlooking both the basketball court and the football field. Banners signifying the success of Oklahoma State Athletics are hung from the rafters. The pride of OSU athletic triumphs are also illustrated in photographic and trophy displays in the new Heritage Hall, which opened this fall.

Even after two major construction projects, today's players still compete on the gym's original white maple floor, which was the country's most expensive when it was installed in 1938. The arena was built in 1938 at a cost of $1.5 million. National powers Oklahoma State and Kansas opened the facility on Dec. 9 in a game that matched coaching legends Henry Iba and Phog Allen. OSU won that game, 21-15.

As OSU enters the 2002-03 season, its home record has been impressive. Through the first 64 years in the building, the Cowboys have posted a 593-177 record at home with nine undefeated seasons. Over the last 14 years, OSU has recorded a 179-22 record at home. In addition, the Cowboys' 80-game homecourt non-conference winning streak, which ran from 1986 to '98, ranks fifth in NCAA Division I history.

Courtesy of www.okstate.com