The C. Homer Bast Center, located on campus, was built in 1982 and holds 2,000 fans. C. Homer Bast, who served the College as a professor, coach, administrator and counselor for 33 years, is who the building was named after. The facility was made possible by a large gift from Nancy (’72) and John (’71) Mulheren Jr. The keynote speaker at the dedication was CBS basketball analyst Billy Packer.

The Bast Center features a state-of-the-art sound system and four official scorer’s tables along with a press box above the stands. It is a fan friendly facility, with a concession stand and trophy cases around the gym to honor the past including more of the same in the mezzanine. In 2002, the J.S. “Buddy” Hackman Hall of Fame Room was unveiled. This room, located next to the athletic offices, is where the college pays tribute to former standout athletes, coaches and administrators. It is also media friendly, with wireless access along with internet jacks for the purpose of radio and video streaming of all home contests. It also serves as the headquarters for the entire athletic and Health and Human Performance departments with two classrooms.

One of the finest Division III athletic facilities in the nation has been used other events for graduation, convocations and concerts. The classic hardwood floor gives Roanoke the best surface available for basketball and is versatile and large enough to provide the College’s recreation classes a first-class facility. The arena’s seating features 2,000 electronically-controlled portable bleacher seats, including 200 VIP chair-back seats at floor level. The balcony above the bleachers is also a favorite viewing point for many spectators. The entire facility is air conditioned.

The first floor contains six team locker rooms, a fully-equipped training facility, equipment storage room, two staff locker rooms, four racquetball courts, laundry room and a large arena storage area. The second floor (balcony level) is the office level with the athletic and education department offices located here, along with two large classrooms.

Recent additions have been donated to the Bast Center. Roanoke Basketball Alum Morris Cregger ‘64 donated the brand new state-of-the-art scoreboard to the college in 2008. The scoreboard features a message board which is also used for pictures, animations, etc.

The facility is also the home of the Roanoke College volleyball team, which has hosted the 1984 and 1993 ODAC Volleyball Tournaments. The program, which was ODAC Runner-Ups in 1999 and 2001, has hosted the Maroon Classic annually since 2002 and has a home record of 167-94 (64%). They finished the program’s only undefeated season in 2002 (10-0).

Over the years, the Bast Center has hosted 22 NCAA tournament basketball games, including the men’s NCAA South-Midwest Sectional in 1996. The latest came during the 2001 season for the men’s basketball NCAA First Round contest vs. SCAD (W 70-62). The Maroons own a 12-4 post-season home record at the Bast Center.

The women’s basketball program has hosted the ODAC Quarterfinals from 1983-93 while the men have hosted seven (1982-85, 87-88, 93). The women have compiled a 247-56 record at the Bast Center since calling it home in 1982 and have the highest win percentage (81.5%) of the three teams that play here. They have had four undefeated seasons, with the latest coming in 1996-97 (11-0). The women have the longest win-streak at the Bast Center with three undefeated seasons in a row (31-0 from 1989-92) and a 38-game win streak from 1/27/89 to 1/26/93.

The Bast Center has been the sight of seven men’s NCAA Div. III Regional basketball tournaments in 1984, ’87, ’91, ’94, ’96, ’00 and ’01. The Maroons record in the Bast Center indicates the advantage of playing at home. In 28 seasons, the men’s basketball team is 293-85, with a winning percentage of .775. Last year, they won 10 of 12 games played on the court at the Bast Center and have hosted the season-opening V-Foundation Classic, which has been held every year since 1994.