Al Glick Field House

Al Glick Field House. The Al Glick Field House is a multi-purpose athletic facility located on the campus of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, and is home to the Hillsdale Chargers athletic teams, which compete in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The field house is named after Al Glick, a prominent Detroit businessman and Hillsdale College alumnus, who made significant contributions to the college, including Eastern Michigan University and University of Michigan. The facility has hosted various events, including NCAA Division II basketball and volleyball games, as well as Mid-American Conference and Big Ten Conference athletic competitions.

● History

The Al Glick Field House was built as part of Hillsdale College's efforts to expand its athletic facilities, with support from National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The construction of the field house was made possible through donations from Al Glick and other notable alumni, including Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino's Pizza, and Stephen Moore, a Wall Street Journal editor. The field house has undergone several renovations since its opening, including updates to the scoreboard and sound system, similar to those found at Michigan State University's Breslin Center and University of Michigan's Crisler Center. The facility has also hosted events featuring notable speakers, such as Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee, and Newt Gingrich, who have spoken at Hillsdale College's Shapiro Lecture series.

● Design and Construction

The Al Glick Field House was designed by Rossetti Architects, a firm based in Detroit, Michigan, which has also designed facilities for University of Detroit Mercy and Oakland University. The field house features a unique design, with a basketball court and volleyball court that can be converted into a track and field facility, similar to those found at University of Wisconsin–Madison's Camp Randall Stadium and Ohio State University's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The facility also includes a weight room and training room, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment from Life Fitness and MedX, similar to those found at University of Michigan's Al Glick Field House and Michigan State University's Breslin Center. The construction of the field house was managed by Walbridge, a construction company based in Detroit, Michigan, which has also worked on projects for Ford Motor Company and General Motors.

● Facilities and Features

The Al Glick Field House features a variety of facilities and amenities, including a concession stand and ticket office, similar to those found at University of Michigan's Michigan Stadium and Michigan State University's Spartan Stadium. The facility also includes a press box and broadcast booth, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment from ESPN and Fox Sports, similar to those found at University of Wisconsin–Madison's Camp Randall Stadium and Ohio State University's Ohio Stadium. The field house also features a hall of fame showcasing the achievements of Hillsdale College athletes, including NFL players Jared Veldheer and Joe Hastings, who played for the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, respectively.

● Usage and Events

The Al Glick Field House is used for a variety of events, including Hillsdale Chargers basketball and volleyball games, as well as track and field competitions, similar to those held at University of Michigan's Michigan Stadium and Michigan State University's Spartan Stadium. The facility has also hosted events featuring notable performers, such as Switchfoot and Newsboys, who have performed at Hillsdale College's Shapiro Lecture series. The field house has also been used for conferences and seminars, including events hosted by The Heritage Foundation and Cato Institute, which have featured speakers such as Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee. The facility is also available for rent for private events, such as weddings and parties, similar to those held at University of Michigan's Michigan Union and Michigan State University's Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.

● Location and Accessibility

The Al Glick Field House is located on the campus of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, near the intersection of M-99 and US-12, and is accessible from I-69 and I-94. The facility is within walking distance of Hillsdale College's Dow Hotel and Searle Center, and is also near Hillsdale Hospital and Hillsdale County Courthouse. The field house is also accessible by public transportation, including Greyhound Lines and Amtrak, which have stops in Hillsdale, Michigan, and is also near Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The facility offers parking and handicap accessibility, similar to those found at University of Michigan's Michigan Stadium and Michigan State University's Spartan Stadium.

Category:Sports venues in Michigan