Olean Armory
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Olean Armory
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Olean Armory, which replaced the Butler Gym, aka the"Armory" in 1946, after the end of the Second World War. The Olean Armory while doubling as a National Guard Post, also housed the home court for the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (then the Brown Indians), from 1946 to 1966, when the University Center (now known as the Reilly Center) opened up on the campus of St. Bonaventure. As one of the best home-court advantages in the country, the Armory did not witness a St. Bonaventure defeat from 1948-1961, when arch-rival Niagara upset the Stith brothers led Bonnies, 87-77. The arena was able to hold at least 2,200 spectators, although the conditions were cramped, and thus again there was a desire for a bigger venue that was both on campus and able to fit more spectators, comfortably.
Sources
Cave, R. (1961, March 6). ST. BONAVENTURE IS SECOND-BEST - Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved from https://vault.si.com/vault/1961/03/06/st-bonaventure-is-secondbest
50 years ago today, Bonnies' bid for 100 at Armory failed. (2011, February 25). Retrieved from http://www.oleantimesherald.com/sports/years-ago-today-bonnies-bid-for-at-armory-failed/article_20b3574e-40fa-11e0-9074-001cc4c002e0.html
St. Bonaventure University Archives