Reporting And Writing Class Fall 2010: Story # 2 - The Historic John S. Glas Fieldhouse

Bemidji, Minn.

The Historic John S. Glas Fieldhouse

What its Future May Hold

By Eric Story

Published: September 20, 2010

It was just seven months ago when the good-byes were bid to the John S. Glas Fieldhouse. The men’s and women’s hockey teams played their final games at “The Glas” on February 20 2010. The men’s nightcap game closed the doors with one final victory, 6-1 over College Hockey American conference opponent Niagara.

With the grand opening of the BREC less than a month away, many students are wondering what’s next for “The Glas.” Will it be renovated and used for other sports?

According to BSU Athletic Director Rick Goeb, the plan is to install artificial turf so the facility could be used year round for other BSU sports.

There have been talks of possibly a weight room in the plans as well because of the uncertainty of what will happen with Walnut Hall, which currently houses the weight room for BSU athletic teams. “It would great to be able to practice on turf and maybe have a new weight room,” said BSU student and football player Jake Zimmerman. “Hopefully they can get it done so I get a chance to use it”.

“It would be a phenomenal addition to our athletic programs,” said Jim Stone, head coach for the BSU women’s soccer team. “It could be a factor in recruiting for us, and give us a great place to practice when the weather doesn’t want to cooperate”.

It also has the potential to help with practice times and scheduling.

The John S. Glas Fieldhouse has been the home of BSU Men’s hockey team since its construction in 1967. For 43 seasons it served as one of the best home ice advantages in college hockey. The men compiled a 502-145-41 all-time record during that time, winning .759 percent of their games in “The Glas.”

The John Glas S. Fieldhouse was also the home of BSU women’s hockey since their inaugural season in 1998. For both programs combined, “The Glas” was to home to 874 Beaver hockey games, with a record of 551-255-68 for a .669 all-time winning percentage.

“It was a special place to play,” said Pat Cullen, ’93 BSU graduate and former All-American defenseman. “You just didn’t expect to lose . . . it felt like the ice was slanted downhill, with our opponents always facing an uphill battle.”

The Glas was a $970,000 fieldhouse expansion to the existing BSU Physical Education Complex. Plans were made in the mid-1960’s with the Minnesota legislature giving the approval to build in 1965. It opened Nov. 17 1967, with the Beavers hosting the Minnesota Nationals.

From completion in 1967 until Oct. 1, 1975 “The Glas” was known as the BSU fieldhouse. It was renamed in honor of the retiring John S. Glas, the acting president of Bemidji State University at the time of the arena’s completion. Glas arrived in Bemidji in 1939 to serve as business manager and remained with BSU for 36 years.