Branch Rickey Arena is a 2,300-seat arena at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, located centrally on campus and adjacent to Edwards Gymnasium. It is home to the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams.

Branch Rickey Arena
Interior view of the arena, 2006
Map
AddressDelaware, OH
United States
Coordinates40°17′42″N 83°03′59″W / 40.294902°N 83.066339°W / 40.294902; -83.066339
OwnerOhio Wesleyan University
OperatorOWU Athletics
TypeArena
Capacity3,000
Current useBasketball
Volleyball
Opened1976; 48 years ago (1976)
Tenants
Website
owu.edu/branch-rickey-arena/

It opened in June 1976, replacing Edwards Gymnasium, which was remodeled to become a full-time exercise facility. It was named for the late Branch Rickey, class of 1904, a major benefactor to the university and a manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers.[1] Rickey is often regarded as "the mentor to Jackie Robinson",[2] the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ Branch Rickey Arena at bishops.owu.edu, URL accessed November 17, 2009. Archived 11/17/09
  2. ^ Branch Rickey, el mentor de Jackie Robinson by Mary Montes on prodavinci.com
  3. ^ The Ball Stayed White, but the Game Did Not By Shirley Povich on The Washington Post. March 28, 1997; Page E03
  4. ^ Jackie Robinson’s Signing: The Real Story by Jules Tygiel - John Thorn at The Society for American Baseball Research
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