Skip to main content Skip to footer

Athletic & Expo Events

The Conference Center at SVSU is the ideal location for your athletic or expo event, offering 12+ venues. 

The SVSU Fieldhouse is host to many collegiate and high school track meets as well as numerous local community organizations utilizing the space for club soccer, track and field, baseball and softball practices.  Our Gerstacker Regional Aquatics Center has become the premier location for swim meets for college, high school and community clubs.  Community events and competitions ranging from the Home Builders Association of Saginaw Home Show, FIRST Robotics State Competition, State Color Guard Competition, local Special Olympics and Relay for Life utilize the O'Neill Arena for its ample size, flexibility, amenities and more.

When you book your event at SVSU, not only do you have a wide array of expansive and functional locations to choose from you also gain access to some of the best professional services in the Great Lakes Bay Region tailored to suit your personal needs.

Logo for conference center

Venues

Browse through our various venue options. To inquire about rental arrangements call (989) 964-7499. 

SVSU Fieldhouse

The SVSU Fieldhouse is a premiere facility and host to many state-wide competitions and events.  It includes an 85-yard football field with a field turf surface, a 300-meter indoor track with a timing booth for all indoor track meets and four full batting cages for baseball & softball training. In addition, it is connected to the other venues and amenities within the Ryder Center. This is the second facility of its kind at the NCAA Division II level.

The Fieldhouse has been the chosen venue for several collegiates and high school track meets with a seating capacity for 1,000 spectators and serves as a training facility for multiple community youth sports programs including soccer, baseball, softball and track.  

James E. O' Neill Arena

Our James E. O'Neill Arena serves as the home to the Cardinal Men's and Women's Basketball Teams.  The 60,000 square foot facility underwent a major renovation as part of the Ryder Center Expansion Project.  In this construction project, the orientation of the court was switched, two new wood courts were added and there were new bleachers installed.  All new Daktronics scoreboards were added as part of the project as well.  The seating capacity of 3,500 spectators makes for a more intimate atmosphere during game day.   

The Arena also has served as the venue for the State Robotics Championships, the annual Relay for Life event, the state Color Guard competition and the Home Builders Association Home Show.   

Hamilton Gymnasium

Home to the Cardinal Women’s Volleyball Team, the Hamilton Gymnasium is a 10,000 square foot facility with a seating capacity of 616. The facility has a competition floor, two practice courts and serves as an additional practice facility for the basketball programs with six retractable basketball hoops. This venue also hosts high school students for DECA, MITES, and gives an opportunity for swim teams to regroup before a competition.  

The facility, formerly the Cardinal Gymnasium, was renamed in honor of longtime SVSU administrator and the man who started the men's basketball program, Eugene Hamilton.  

Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium

SVSU's Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium has a state-of-the-art Desso Turf surface, Musco Lighting and a Daktronics video board. The horseshoe-shaped berm around the field gives the stadium a traditional bowl look.  Wickes Stadium has an official seating capacity of 6,800 and shuttle service is available at this location.

Gerstacker Regional Aquatic Center

The premier Gerstacker Regional Aquatic Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region, seating 720+ spectators and has become the premier location for numerous college, high school and community clubs swimming and diving championships.

The facility features an eight-lane, 50-meter pool with a new Daktronics timing system that displays results to a full-color message board.  The deep end of the pool features a diving area that consists of two 1-meter boards and a 3-meter board.  The 2011 renovation also included a renovated portable bulkhead, new starting blocks, all-new lane lines and expanded lighting. 

Planning Your Event with Professional Coordinators

When you schedule your event with The Conference Center at SVSU we will assist you in planning every aspect to ensure a complete and successful event. We will guide you throughout the planning process, providing you with personal, one-on-one service throughout to ensure all needs are covered and your event is seamless.

Cardinal Concessions Building

Concessions

The Conference Center at SVSU offers a variety of refreshment and concessions options for event attendees at both the Ryder Center and outdoor athletics facilities.

Your event attendees will be provided with the ultimate in convenience as concessions stands are found in several easy-to-access locations with a variety of menu options. From traditional favorites such as hot dogs and popcorn to specialty items such as salads and sandwiches, SVSU concessions will keep your guests happy and satisfied during your athletic event.

Also, all options are equipped to take credit cards, adding one more element of convenience for your guests.

Online Ticket Ordering

Box Office & Ticketing Services

The SVSU Box Office provides centralized ticketing services for all programs and activities held on campus that require a ticket for admissions.

Tickets can be purchased either On-line or at the Box Office (two hours prior to an event): 

When tickets are purchased on-line, a link will be sent to your e-mail to either print or present as a mobile ticket(s).

CONTACT US.






The Conference Center at SVSU
Curtiss Hall 142
events@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4348