In September 2009, the U-M Board of Regents approved the construction of the Player Development Center for the men's and women's basketball programs. The William Davidson Player Development Center All seats throughout the arena were replaced. The renovation provides improved seating for people with disabilities and expanded and renovated concourses for additional restrooms, concessions and other fan amenities. Athletic resources and gifts funded the $52 million project. Phase two added approximately 63,000 gross square feet for new fan entrances, additional retail and ticketing areas, as well as a private club space. High-definition video scoreboards and premium seating areas were also added. Lower bowl seats were also replaced, with the expansion of seating for people with disabilities, addition of hand rails and other code-related issues. It addressed high priority infrastructure needs such as repairs to the roof, electrical, plumbing and air handling systems. The first phase began in March 2011 upon the completion of the basketball seasons. In January 2011, the second phase of expansion and renovation was approved by the Regents. In October 2010, the U-M Board of Regents approved the first phase of the Crisler Arena renovation plan at a cost of $20 million. The weight room in Crisler Arena was renovated prior to the 2004-05 season, a year after the athletic medicine training room was enlarged and completely renovated to include a physician's office. In 2002, the women's locker room underwent major renovations, more than doubling its size and getting a complete facelift. A comprehensive renovation of the men's locker room was also done at the time, while the hallway leading up to the locker room was renovated with maple paneling featuring Michigan's All-Americans. Courtside seating was added along the opposite side to help benefit Michigan's endowed athletic scholarship program. In 2001, several rows of bleacher seats were installed on the east side of the arena to accommodate the Maize Rage student section. Press conferences, pregame meals and other special events were also held in the Crisler Press Lounge. The state-of-the-art digital production facility hosted 'Michigan Replay,' the football coach's show, and 'Wolverine Sports Magazine,' a weekly program that showcased all 25 Michigan varsity sports. In 1998, a full-service production studio was built inside the facility's press lounge and a video replay system was added to the overhead scoreboard. The facility has undergone numerous renovations over the years. 7, 2006) as well as numerous other banners honoring Big Ten champion, NCAA Tournament and NIT teams. Joining Russell and Tomjanovich's jerseys are Phil Hubbard (No. Tomjanovich was a center for the Wolverines from 1967-70, earning All-Big Ten honors each year, as well as All-America honors in 1970. 8, 2003, another banner joined Russell's in the south rafters, honoring Rudy Tomjanovich as his No. 11, 1993, Russell became Michigan's first basketball player to have his number retired, and the banner commemorating his No. 2, 1967, for the first event held in Crisler Arena, which was formally dedicated on Feb. The building stands at 107 feet with telescopic seating encircling the arena floor with an original seating capacity of 13,684.Ĭrisler Center is affectionately known as 'The House that Cazzie Built,' for Michigan's greatest player, Cazzie Russell, a two-time consensus All-American and the first player selected in the 1966 NBA draft. Michigan's football coach from 1938-47, Crisler served 27 years as the Michigan athletic director before retiring in 1968.ĭan Dworsky, a linebacker on Crisler's undefeated 1947 (and 1948) football team, was one of two architects involved in the construction and was tasked with the design, preliminary drawings and selection of materials. 'Fritz' Crisler and his many contributions to Michigan Athletics. Two years in the making at a cost of $7.2 million, the arena is a tribute to Herbert O. U-M wrestling and gymnastics have also called it home, while a multitude of campus events and concerts have been held at the facility over the years. The men's basketball team has called Crisler its home since the arena opened in December 1967, and the women's basketball team has used the arena since its inaugural season as a varsity sport in 1973-74. 4, 1974 (Western Michigan 54, U-M 28)Ĭrisler Arena - now known as Crisler Center with the addition of the William Davidson Player Development Center - has been the location for Michigan athletic events for 45 years.

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