Gross Memorial Coliseum
Seating capacity: 6,814
Constructed: 1973
Gross Memorial Coliseum is the home of Fort Hays State men's and women's basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and indoor track and field. The coliseum enters its 38th year of operation in 2010-11. The 6,814-seat arena was finished in August of 1973 at a cost of seven million dollars. The Tigers made the move across campus from Sheridan Coliseum, which seated 2,000. Paul “Busch” Gross is the namesake of the Coliseum. Gross coached basketball at FHSU from 1930 to 1946 and also served as the athetlc director at Fort Hays State for several years.
Prior to the start of the 2006-07 season, the wood playing floor was resurfaced to reflect the Tigers' affiliation with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. A new Tiger logo is located in the circle at half-court. The conference letters "MIAA" are located in the lanes just inside the free-throw lines on each end of the basketball court. The words "Fighting Tigers" are located on each baseline of the basketball court. Fort Hays State University and the NCAA logo are also on the court along each sideline.
Prior to the start of the 1996-97 season several changes were made to GMC. The major renovation was the installation of a new permanent wood floor. Other additions included the construction of new locker rooms and the remodelling of two existing locker rooms. The sound system was upgraded with the addition of 16 speakers and a new sound board which allows for programming of music, messages and sound effects. Prior to the 1997-98 season two new message boards were installed.
M.C. Cunningham Hall is part of the total Health, Physical Education and Recreation/Athletic complex at Fort Hays State. Cunningham Hall houses HHP offices, classrooms, a swimming pool, four full-sized gymnasiums, eight handball/racquetball courts, a weight room, two dance studios, and a wrestling room.
Gross Memorial Coliseum is a multipurpose facility. It is also home to the KSHSAA 1A State Basketball Tournament, the KSHSAA 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championships, and the KSHSAA 1A State Volleyball Championships. The coliseum houses the FHSU Athletic Department, a large athletic training room, locker rooms, concession stands, a press box and the Field Weight Room which features full nautilus equipment and free weights.