Gallagher-Iba Arena

{{Infobox venue | stadium_name = Gallagher-Iba Arena | nickname = "The Rowdiest Arena in the Country""The Madison Square Garden of The Plains""Mr. Iba's House of Horrors" | image = Gallagher-Iba-Arena-Inside-January-22-2005.jpg|image_size=250px | image_map = | location = 1046 West Hall of Fame AvenueStillwater, OK 74078 | coordinates = | broke_ground = February 25, 1938 | built = | opened = December 9, 1938 | renovated = 1986, 2000 | closed = | demolished = | owner = Oklahoma State University | operator = Oklahoma State University | surface = White Maple basketball court (original 1938 court) | construction_cost = $1.5 million (original)($ in dollars)$55 million (Renovation) | architect = Crafton Tull Sparks (Renovation) | former_names = 4-H Clubs and Student Activities Building (1938–c.1939)Gallagher Hall (1939–1987) | tenants = Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls (NCAA DI) (1938–present) | seating_capacity = 13,611 (2000–present)6,381 (1986–2000)6,750 (1983–1986)7,200 (1959–1983)9,000 (1938–1959) }} Gallagher-Iba Arena, also known as "The Rowdiest Arena in the Country" and "The Madison Square Garden of the Plains”'', is the basketball and wrestling venue at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States. Originally completed in 1938 and named the 4-H Club and Student Activities Building, it was soon renamed Gallagher Hall to honor wrestling coach Ed Gallagher. After renovations in 1987, the name became Gallagher-Iba Arena, as a tribute to longtime basketball coach and innovator Henry Iba. History The first basketball game was played on December 9, 1938, when Iba's Oklahoma A&M Aggies beat Phog Allen's Kansas Jayhawks, 21–15, in a battle between two of the nation's early basketball powers. In its original configuration, seating was limited to 9,000. The original maple floor, still in use today, was the most expensive of its kind in America when it was installed in 1938. The first wrestling duel in the newly renamed Gallagher Hall was held on January 27, 1939, against Indiana with A&M winning 18–6. The distinction of being the first A&M (Oklahoma State) wrestler to compete in Gallagher Hall goes to three-time NCAA champion Joe McDaniel of Sulphur, OK. McDaniel defeated Donnacher of Indiana, 13–2.