Bowling Green State University Stroh Center

Bowling Green State University recognized the need for a new Convocation Center to replace their outdated facility and serve as a modern home for Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, and other university activities and events. Positioned on a new site, the facility was envisioned as more than just an athletic venue—it was intended to be a multi-functional space that would support both the competitive and communal aspects of campus life. ROSSETTI collaborated with the university to create a facility that achieved multiple goals: elevating the student-athlete experience, enhancing fan engagement, and providing a versatile venue for campus and community events.

The Stroh Center establishes school pride and serves as a gateway to Bowling Green State University, seamlessly integrating with other athletic venues to create a unified identity for the sports facilities. Its grand arrival experience features a glass façade that connects interior and exterior spaces, flooding the concourse and seating bowl with natural light, while amenities like concessions, retail, and club spaces enhance its open and vibrant atmosphere. Designed as a basketball-first, multipurpose arena, it also provides training and practice areas for various sports teams and clubs. Since its opening, the LEED Gold-certified Stroh Center has become a focal point for campus and community activities, increasing athletics revenue by 127% in its first year and embodying the university’s broader vision.

The project was completed on a very tight budget, established before the design team selection process. BGSU had communicated a strict $36 million “all-in” budget, and ROSSETTI was the only firm to accept the challenge while committing to deliver the full program. Early on, ROSSETTI provided a cost-per-square-foot breakdown for each room to establish budget parameters. When the client added a $1 million practice court during a review meeting, BGSU and ROSSETTI collaborated to reduce costs elsewhere by combining spaces and scaling back finishes. A cost model was used as a guideline and refined through 26 cost estimates to stay within budget. Local subconsultants and material vendors were prioritized, and ROSSETTI delivered the project on budget while creating an iconic campus design.