Regional Special Events Center
Murray State spent 43 years in historic Racer Arena, often packing more than 6,000 fans into an arena which was built for 5,500. Now when Racer fans head to the MSU campus to watch their teams play, they will be sitting in one of the finest facilities in the nation.
In June of 1998, the Regional Special Events Center was completed, giving the Racers a new home for the first time since 1954.
After a concerted effort by university and regional officials, the Kentucky legislature allocated $18 million for the project. MSU raised more than $2 million and the dream was taking shape.
Today, the 8,602-seat facility is a state-of-the-art, mutifunctional arena capable of hosting concerts, trade shows and other sporting events in addition to Racer and Lady Racer basketball.
The RSEC features approximately 2,100 chairback seats on the lower level with the rest of the arena having bleacher seats. Up above, a $250,000 scoreboard hangs over the retractable wood floor, and is flanked on four corners by lower-level auxiliary boards. Underneath, the specially-painted wooden game floor sits on a tartan rubber surface which will allow other events. In all, there are nine full-length basketball courts in the RSEC.
The MSU men's basketball team played the first game in the RSEC on Nov. 14, 1998, and gained an exciting 65-62 win over regional rival Southern Illinois in front of 7,633 fans.
Entering 2006-07, MSU has fashioned an impressive 97-16 record in six seasons at the RSEC, including a 17-game winning streak to open the facility.
Murray State's locker room facilities, which includes a dressing area, lounge and kitchen area, is top-notch in every aspect. Roomy and modern, it also features theatre seating for when the team reviews film. The locker area is ideal for preparing for games and practices or just relaxing.
Racer players get bigger, faster and stronger in this state of the art, 3,000-square foot weight room in the Regional Special Events Center. The room features free weights, machines and treadmills, and is exclusively used by MSU basketball.
Source: Murray State athletics
