the epicenter of college basketball:
a history
of ud arena
by david jablonski
University of Dayton Arena has served as the home of the Dayton Flyers for more than 50 years. Fans have filled the building since its opening in 1969 with the UD men’s basketball team annually ranking among the NCAA attendance leaders. UD Arena is also an iconic college basketball venue. No venue has hosted more NCAA Tournament games, and March Madness begins at UD Arena every year with the First Four. Legends such as Magic Johnson, Isaiah Thomas and David Robinson played games in college at UD Arena. The NBA’s three all-time leading scorers (LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan) played at the arena at various stages of their careers. The story of the arena starts with the vision of UD Athletic Director Tom Frericks, the person most responsible for its construction, and Coach Don Donoher, whose success with the Flyers generated the momentum needed to finance the project. Nothing has kept the spirit of the building alive more over the years, though, than the Flyer Faithful, the fans who have made the arena a loudspeaker for the university, the city and the region.
“I was at the first game in the Arena as a UD student and I’ve covered hundreds and hundreds of games there since as a sportswriter. I thought I knew just about everything there was about the place, but Dave’s book – which you can tell right off is a labor of love – revealed some fascinating stories and insights to be me, while also bringing back scores of stirring memories of players, coaches, games, and fans. UD Arena is one of the most storied basketball houses in the history of the college game and Dave captures that from every angle imaginable. It’s a wonderful book. .”
— Tom Archdeacon, Dayton Daily News columnist
”While this book is an absolute must for any die-hard Flyer fan, David is able to portray the significance of the Arena to the college basketball world, sports in the Dayton area, and really, what it means to the community. This is not the story of a building as much as it is about the people who built it and who are an integral part of its legacy. Any company relocating an employee to the Miami Valley should make this mandatory reading.”
— Larry Hansgen, Voice of the Flyers on WHIO Radio
“As a guy who covered the Flyers in the late 1960s, the days of Don Donoher and Don May, and who covers them now for a website, I am a devout working member of the Flyer Faithful. And that makes talented writer Dave Jabonski’s deep dive into the history of UD Arena a must read for me and for all UD fans. It is a delightful, well-documented and poignantly written trip down UD Arena’s Memory Lane, which is a broad and long thoroughfare.”
— Hal McCoy, Hall of Fame baseball writer for Dayton Daily News
Russell Midkiff
“Must read for every Flyer fan. Really well written. Any CBB fan would appreciate this gem!.”
Brad Tillson
“The book is a gem! It recounts faithfully the history of the Arena and the players and plays that created so much magic over the years. It also contains scores of behind-the scenes anecdotes that will delight the Flyer Faithful. Every Flyer fan will want this book for Christmas..”
Kevin Lewis
“A joy ride through the birth of an arena that to many defines a team, a city, and basketball itself. David records first hand accounts that would have been lost to time and ensure the significance of this place is not lost. A must read for the Flyer fan and college basketball enthusiast. A pleasure to read. Stay Lowd.”
Matt Rhein
“I read this book while wearing Red and being LOWD. Would wear red and be lowd again with this book.”
Catherine Fukada
“The book brought back so many good memories as a kid growing up and going to the games to the Student in the stands. Well written and documents various aspects of the arena, which is not just the building. Sharing this with my family so they can get a feel for what the their Grandpa's brother was all about. Though he left the world early his legacy lives on in the Epicenter of College Basketball and especially with every cheer that rocks the Arena.”
Kayt Senn-Grilliot
“I’m thrilled that all this wonderful history is chronicled in this book. And I especially love that I could relive George Janky’s story on p. 19 as I was dating him at the time and married in 1971!.”
About David
David Jablonski has covered the Dayton Flyers since the 2013-14 season. He also covers other local sports as a reporter and photographer for the Dayton Daily News and has worked for Cox newspapers since 2001. He’s from Mount Orab, Ohio, and attended Fayetteville High School and Ohio University, where he majored in journalism. His grandpa was a lifelong UD season-ticket holder, and his parents had their wedding reception at UD Arena. He lives in Bexley, Ohio, with his wife Barbara, son Chase and two brown mutts. Contact David at davidjabs7@hotmail.com.