Wolstein Center
The Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Center (formerly the CSU Convocation Center) was renamed in 2005 in honor of Bert L. Wolstein, a 1953 graduate of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and a 2003 recipient of Cleveland State's Distinguished Alumni Award. The Wolstein Center has become the one of the most exciting multi-purpose, college-owned facilities in the country.
On November 1, 1991, the ribbon was cut, officially opening the Wolstein Center. The beautiful $55,000,000 state-of-the-art, full-service, multi-purpose facility means many things to many facets of the Cleveland community.
To the Cleveland State athletics, it means fruition of a dream- - a home for CSU's basketball teams which had been envisioned almost since the day that a state university was born from the seeds of little Fenn College in downtown Cleveland.
The dream came true in 1991 in the form of the largest college-owned basketball arena in the State of Ohio with a seating capacity of 13,610.
Every seat in the basketball configuration is a theater-style cushioned chair, approximately 3,000 of which can be rolled back to create a larger playing surface for indoor soccer games, indoor track meets, and major wrestling tournaments.
In addition to CSU athletics, the Wolstein Center has hosted some of the hottest shows in rock, pop, and country including Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Sting, Usher, Elton John, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Christina Aguilera, and Alan Jackson. Family shows like the American Idols, High School Musical, Barney, The Wiggles, and Cirque du Soliel, have thrilled fans of all ages.
The Wolstein Center also hosted a Democratic Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2008.
Four large corner scoreboards, two with full-color animation capabilities, are situated in the corners of the arena. The scoreboards also boast a computerized sound system considered to be one of the most advanced in the country. In addition, a computerized lighting system bathes the basketball court in 200 foot-candles of light. An auxiliary scoreboard graces the official scorer's table. Media tables situated across the floor are equipped with electrical outlets. There is media seating for working press members at the floor level.
Six locker rooms, including permanent pro style locker facilities for the CSU men's and women's basketball teams, ring the floor level, along with several smaller rooms for officials and performers. Adjoining rooms to the dressing areas are used for post-game interviews and as a working press room.
The arena has been named the Henry J. Goodman Arena in honor of the former chairman of the Cleveland State University's Board of Trustees, a moving force in the realization of the University's dream of a very special building for its students and the community it serves.
East of the main bowl stands the Gerald H. Gordon Conference Pavilion, named in honor of the chairman of the board of trustees Building Committee, another prime force in the planning and construction of the building.
Contained in the Pavilion is a large auxiliary gym which will serve as a practice facility for the varsity basketball teams and other designated athletic activities. Also located there are the offices of the men's and women's basketball staffs and of the Athletic Department's administrative staff.
Two large conference rooms that can accommodate approximately 600 persons and may be used for pre- and post-game functions are also located in the Pavilion. They are adjoined to the entertainment and assembly area, the Patrick Sweeney Atrium honoring the Ohio state senator whose yeoman efforts on behalf of the Wolstein Center's construction went far beyond the simple call of duty to his constituents.
Above the conference rooms in the luxurious Viking Loge, a large dining and entertainment center which includes a buffet area and three rows of alternating tables and chairs overlooking the arena. The room is used during basketball games for major donors to the athletic program, their guests and other special guests of the University.
The Wolstein Center is operated as a full-service facility with a full-time staff to manage and administer special events, a computerized ticketing service and marketing services for event planners.
