December 1, 1960 Remains as Big Date in Bobcat History
By Tom Metters, Club Historian

December 1, 1960 will always remain as part of a long list of memorable dates in the history of Ohio University athletics.

It was on that day that Ohio State traveled down Route 33 to face Ohio University in the dedication game at Grover Center.

The 6,800-seat building cost $2 million and was named for Brandon T. (Butch) Grover, longtime coach and administrator.

It was during a banquet honoring the 1959-60 Ohio University basketball team, during which the Green and White Club helped honor the Bobcats. Jim Snyder made the official announcement that the Buckeyes would provide the opposition for his team to help open the new facility. “We open next season with the easiest game we could find,” Snyder quipped.

This season was opened with a win. I’m counting on a win next year, he added.

As it turned out, Snyder didn’t get his wish. The Buckeyes captured an 85-64 victory, but it was still a grand time for the more than 7,000 people who crammed their way into the building.

It was a coaching match up between two longtime friends, Jim Snyder of the Bobcats and Fred Taylor of the Buckeyes. Ohio State was coming off winning the national championship with a 75-55 victory over California. Ohio University, meanwhile, had turned in what was called at the time the school¹s best season since the 1940-41 campaign which had been capped off by runner-up honors in the National Invitation Tournament.

The Bobcats were 17-8 and had advanced to the NCAA Mideast Regional at Louisville, Ky. where they defeated Notre Dame 74-66 then lost 57-54 to Georgia Tech in the semifinals.

On the basketball floor that evening, Ohio State was led in scoring by Jerry Lucas with 29 points, Mel Nowell with 15 points and Larry Siegfried with 14.. There was also a player named Bobby Knight (yes, that Bobby Knight) who came off the bench to score four points. Ohio University was paced by Bunk Adams with 18 points, Dave Katz with 13 points and Larry Kruger and Bill Whaley with 12 points apiece.

Recent renovations to the Richland Avenue building have changed the look of the building both on the outside and inside, and the interior has been expanded, but will always remain as a tribute to Grover.