The George Roche Sports Complex exterior

The George Roche Sports Complex

Affectionately known as the “Splex,” the Sports Complex is Hillsdale’s primary athletic facility.

Inside the Complex sits the Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena, a 60,000-square-foot space that includes three regulation wood floor basketball courts and four regulation volleyball courts, as well as spectator seating for games. The arena also features the President’s Suite and Hall of Fame Room; locker rooms for women’s volleyball and basketball, men’s basketball, and men’s golf; a golf simulator room; and a fitness center with cardio equipment, strength training equipment, a rock climbing wall, and a spin cycling room. The Complex also houses the John “Jack” McAvoy Natatorium with a combination pool and diving area, a sports medicine facility, four racquetball courts, extensive locker room facilities, a varsity strength training room, and coaching and administration offices. Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium and Herrick Track sits on the eastern side of the complex and seats 6,500 with an artificial (Pro Grass) football field and all-weather Mondo eight-lane running track. There are also eight outdoor tennis courts and an outdoor basketball/soccer sports court.

Address

201 Oak Street
Hillsdale, MI 49242

History

The Roche Sports Complex, named after former Hillsdale College President George C. Roche III, was dedicated in 1988.

The facility represented a major renovation and expansion of the old Stock Fieldhouse, which was built in 1927 to accommodate four hundred students. In 1989, the Jesse Philips Arena was dedicated.

The College completed additional renovations of its athletic facilities in 2013-2014, resulting in a new student fitness center and a completely renovated arena, as well as a golf-simulator room, a rock-climbing wall, and additional offices and locker rooms.