Doubleheader to open Sanford Coyote Sports Center

The Coyote men and women’s basketball teams will break in the new court at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center Nov. 13 in a doubleheader against Stephen F. Austin and Bowling Green. 

In total, there are 13 non-conference games on the women’s schedule before the Summit League opener, in which the Coyotes will take on Denver on Dec. 28. Their first game, against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville will be played Nov. 11 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. The women will then play Stephen F. Austin in the first game ever played in the new multi-million dollar SCSC at 1 p.m. Nov. 13. 

The Coyote men will play Bowling Green directly following the women’s game at 3:15 p.m. Their schedule includes 15 non-conference games before they host Omaha in a Summit League opener on Dec. 29. Six of those games will be at the newly constructed arena. In total the

“We have a fantastic schedule with a great blend of home, road and neutral court games, including one of the best mid-major tournaments in the country in the Gulf Coast Showcase,” said men’s head coach Craig Smith in a news release. “Unquestionably, a major highlight is our first-ever game in the SCSC against Bowling Green. We also compete against two high-major programs including Gonzaga, which advanced to the Elite Eight last year.”

Construction started on the SCSC late July more than a year ago. Now that the building is complete, it holds 6,000 seats and houses a science, health and research lab. There are also clinical areas, office space, practice courts and a 7,500 square foot weight room. The complex was part of a $66 million project which also included a new soccer facility and an outdoor track.

“We cannot wait to open the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in November,” said women’s head coach Dawn Plitzuweit in a news release. “We have an amazing facility and we are excited to put it on display in front of our incredible fans.”