The facility, part of the Stanley J. Marshall Center, will have a seating capacity of 5,500 following renovation work now underway. SDSU hosts basketball, volleyball and wrestling contests in First Bank and Trust Arena.
Building Description
Work began right after spring commencement 2022 on the $53.1 million renovation of what is now First Bank and Trust Arena. The work will be done in phases during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 winter sports seasons. The second phase will complete the upper bowl of the arena and the third phase will complete the lower bowl. Final completion is slated for September 2024.
The work includes adding new premium seating areas and suites, state-of-the-art video board and display systems, an enhanced sound system, a more spacious concourse and improved restrooms. New and improved locker rooms and offices are also a part of the project.
The state legislature approved the project in February 2022 with $43.1 million to come from private donations, $6 million from SDSU’s maintenance repair fund and $4 million from university funds. An increase in student fees was not required.
The lead private gift, which was announced Sept. 13, 2021, comes from Brookings-based First Bank and Trust. The $20 million donation provides naming rights to the facility, which had been known as Frost Arena. It was the largest single gift in the history of South Dakota State University.
President Barry Dunn said, “Because of this gift, the renovation of Frost Arena will allow us to improve a facility that is home to many events, including Jackrabbits athletics, commencement, concerts and lectures, and continue its rich history of being a regional center of activity for the state and the university."
Frost Arena, named in honor of former Jackrabbits basketball coach and athletic director R.B. "Jack" Frost, opened in February 1973 and was constructed for an initial cost of $3.685 million. The Jackrabbits played their first game in Frost Arena Feb. 2, 1973. In 1994, the one-millionth fan passed through the Frost Arena turnstiles.
First Bank and Trust Arena will include an interactive space, which will highlight the history of SDSU athletics in addition to being the new home of the Jackrabbits Sports Hall of Fame.
Physical Address:
1165 Jackrabbit Ave.Brookings, SD 57007
Interactive Map
The interactive map allows users to plot directions between buildings and show locations of highlighted features and services across the SDSU campus. Click on the image below to direct you to the SDSU interactive map.