BENTSON BUNKER FIELDHOUSE |
ADDRESS
1301 Centennial Blvd.
Fargo, ND 58102
The Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse has provided a unique and exciting venue for the North Dakota State University volleyball team and several NCAA and conference tournaments since 1978. The arena also was the temporary home of Bison wrestling and women's basketball in 2014-15 and 2015-16 during construction of the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.
Formerly known as the Physical Education Building, it was renamed the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse on June 7, 1995, in recognition of gifts received from Fargo businessman Art Bunker and his wife, Norene.
At the request of the Bunkers, the name includes that of Art’s former NDSU basketball coach and life-long friend, Chuck Bentson. Coach Bentson retired in 1981 after 32 years of service. He was the longest serving coach in NDSU history and second on the all-time wins list. He died Jan. 20, 1994.
A record crowd of 2,259 packed the BBF on Nov. 5, 1986, when the Bison squared off with crosstown rival Minnesota State Moorhead—one of the top regular-season attendance figures in NCAA Division II history.
The fieldhouse received many improvements with NDSU's move to Division I athletics, including a new digital scoreboard and stats display, replacement of translucent windows for additional daytime light, new floor markings and design, and chairback seating for 1,206 fans.