×

Covellis open up second arena

COLUMBUS — Youngstown will no longer be the only city with a Covelli Center in it.

The Ohio State University Department of Athletics announced the grand opening of its own Covelli Center, the newest edition to the Ohio State Athletics District. The Columbus version of the Covelli Center will serve as a competition space for six varsity sports and more than 150 student-athletes — projected to host at least 50 competitions annually in addition to numerous summer camps and Ohio high school tournaments.

The newest Covelli Center was a $48.9 million project funded entirely through private philanthropy, with Caryn and Sam Covelli at the forefront with a donation of $10 million.

The arena provides a modern home for Ohio State student-athletes, coaches and staff.

“It is an honor to be a part of new traditions at The Ohio State University, the pre-eminent university in the country in both academic and athletic excellence,” said Sam Covelli of Covelli Enterprises, the largest franchisee of Panera Bread and headquartered in Warren. “We are proud to have our name associated with this state-of-the-art facility that will mean so much to thousands of student-athletes and fans for years to come.”

It’s not the first time the Covellis have embarked on such a project.

The Youngstown Covelli Center, a $42 million arena located downtown, opened in 2005. With a capacity of around 7,000, the 169,000-square-foot facility is the home of the Youngstown Phantoms ice hockey team and serves as host to numerous events, including concerts, high school sporting events and monster truck shows.

Construction for the 100,000-square-foot facility in Columbus commenced in September 2017. The arena, which holds 3,700 people, also includes 10 locker rooms, seven coaches’ offices, a spacious athletic training area and enhanced team meeting and study spaces. The arena will offer improved concessions and catering capabilities and an unparalleled guest experience for thousands of Buckeye fans during volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling competitions.

“None of this happens without the amazing Buckeye philanthropy that is a part of the Ohio State University’s pay-it-forward tradition,” said Alex Fischer, university trustee and chairman of the master planning and facilities committee. “To all of those who have helped us, especially the Covelli Family, thank you.”

The Covelli Center replaces the Buckeyes’ previous location in St. John Arena, which was built in 1956.

“I’m starting my first year as head coach in the best facility for a men’s volleyball program in the country,” Kevin Burch, head men’s volleyball coach said. “To be in a place like this, it was so well thought out, everything from the service space to the practice courts, to the amount of cameras and the technology that we have in here is second to none.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today