MSU takes possession of JQH Arena today

Missouri State University will officially take over the new $67 million JQH Arena today with a ceremony and ribbon-cutting, followed by an open house on Saturday.

The MSU Pep Band will perform at 3:45 p.m. today, and official ceremonies will begin at 4 p.m. The project's construction manager JE Dunn and Associates will transfer the arena's key to MSU officials, followed by a ribbon-cutting. A public open house will be 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday.

The women's basketball team has an exhibition game against Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Nov. 1, which will be followed by an open house for MSU students and their parents. The men's basketball team has its exhibition game against Quincy University on Nov. 3, preceded by another public open house. Other opportunities to tour the facility will be before the Nov. 9 women's game and the Nov. 10 men's game.

Final touches on the arena, meanwhile, will be completed in the next few months. Construction began in December 2006 on the facility, which is named after John Q. Hammons, who donated $30 million for the project.

The arena has more than 11,000 seats, a grand entrance, 24 private suites, more than 100 loge seats, 55 courtside seats, a Legacy of Competition and Hall of Fame exhibit, a team souvenir store and a ticket office.[[In-content Ad]]