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UCM Multipurpose Building

Considered one the finest facilities of its kind in the nation, the Multipurpose Building is in its 32nd year of service to the university. The $5.5 million facility was built at no expense to the State of Missouri, as financing was accomplished solely through student fees.

The “Multi” truly lives up to its name, as it is one of the busiest places on campus. In addition to being the home of Mules and Jennies basketball and indoor track and field, Jennies volleyball, and Mules wrestling, the facility is used by university students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public.

Designed primarily for recreational use, the building features a spacious main arena with a six-lane track, a swimming pool, five indoor and two outdoor handball/racquetball courts, areas for free and universal weights, an activities area, locker rooms, meeting rooms, and offices for UCM's Intercollegiate Athletics staff. The main arena can accommodate four basketball or six volleyball courts at one time or all of the events for an indoor track meet.

Seating capacity in the Multipurpose Building is 8,500 for basketball and volleyball, making it the largest such facility in the MIAA. It also seats 1,640 fans for indoor track meets and 11,000 people for concerts.

Numerous special events take place in the Multi each year. It has hosted the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s state volleyball tournament since 1988, while state high school playoff games for basketball are also played annually in the building.

In addition, the MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships are contested in the Multipurpose Building. The facility is also used for Central’s annual commencement ceremonies and for major concerts.

The Multi underwent a major renovation during the summer of 1998. An inlaid-wood floor was installed in the main arena, replacing most of the original Tartan surface and eliminating the need for the portable-wood floor that had been used for basketball since 1988, while the running track was resurfaced and new jumping and vaulting pits were created for track and field.

Previous improvements include the addition of a new scoreboard, containing a four-color message center manufactured by Daktronics, in 1986 and the purchase of two Sport Courts� for volleyball in 1995 and 1998.

The first basketball game was played in the Multi on Nov. 27, 1976, when the Mules defeated Midland Lutheran College 92-75. The Jennies played their first contest in the building on Dec. 8 of that season, dropping a 66-44 decision to Tarkio College.

The Jennies posted their first win in the facility on Jan. 7, 1977, with a 76-42 victory over Grand View College. The Multi was formally dedicated eight days later as the Mules beat Southwest Missouri State 90-62.

The Multi was designed by the architectural firm of Mantel and Teeter of Kansas City, Mo., and is managed by Karen Hibdon.