Cleveland State University and Quicken Loans Arena announced a partnership Wednesday morning that will see both the men’s and women’s basketball teams play games at the Q this coming season. The Q staff will also work in a consulting role to help book more events at CSU’s Wolstein Center.
As part of the deal, Dan Gilbert-backed Veritix’ Flash Seats platform will become the exclusive ticket service provider for Wolstein Center events.
Per the announcement, the Viking games at the Q will be against schools “that have larger alumni bases in the Greater Cleveland area.” One date will feature a doubleheader with the women’s team, which may play a second game at the Q.
Kevin Kleps of Crain’s Cleveland has the details on the dates and opponents, via CSU Athletic Director John Parry.
CSU AD John Parry says first two men's games at The Q will be Dec. 5 vs. Kent State and Dec. 12 vs. Ohio U.
— Kevin Kleps (@KevinKleps) August 26, 2015
Other three Cleveland State men's games at The Q: Jan. 24 vs.Youngstown State, Feb. 16 vs. Valpo and Feb. 27 vs. Wright State.
— Kevin Kleps (@KevinKleps) August 26, 2015
“CSU is excited to work with the professional event promotion team at Quicken Loans Arena to enhance programming for CSU students and the community at our Wolstein Center,” CSU President Ronald M. Berkman said. “This partnership showcases our basketball programs and builds on our distinction as an urban university that offers access to all of the amenities and activities Cleveland has to offer.”
“The CSU Vikings are established among the top basketball programs in the Horizon League,” said Quicken Loans Arena CEO Len Komoroski, “And this new partnership is designed to grow their local and regional fan base with the goal of filling both the Wolstein Center and The Q. At the same time, this relationship is about more than basketball and we will work hard to develop more special event programming at the Wolstein Center as well.”
This flag will fly at @TheQArena on every Vikings game day. pic.twitter.com/bt8mMgWdev
— The Cauldron (@CSUCauldron) August 26, 2015
The Wolstein Center, first known as the CSU Convocation Center, opened in 1991 and was built on the heels of Cleveland State’s 1986 NCAA Tournament run. With capacity exceeding 13,000, it was the largest arena in Cleveland until Gund Arena opened in 1994. This deal could provide a vital shot in the arm of both the Wo and the Viking basketball program.
Attendance for CSU men’s basketball hit a peak of 4,589 fans per game in 1997, early in head coach Rollie Massamino’s tenure. In 2013-14 the Vikings drew 2,236 fans per game. To put that in perspective, the NCAA Division I average that year was 4,817 and the Horizon League average was 2,900. Division III Hope College averaged 2,459 fans per game.