BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University's gymnasium renovation project is primed to provide an upgraded experience for athletic and community events inside the Physical Education Complex, and donors now have a new way to get recognized for their contributions.
 
As it looks to close out the project, the Alumni & Foundation is offering two elevated levels of recognition for broad community and alumni participation:

• $10,000: Your name will be recognized on one stadium seat in the bleachers.
• $25,000: Your name will be recognized on a plaque within the renovated gymnasium.

 
The university announced BSU Gymnasium renovation plans in June 2026. The project, which is privately funded through donor support and crowdfunding, is scheduled to break ground in May 2027 and be completed in October 2027. The finished product will feature a modernized court, new bleachers, a suite/viewing room and ADA-accessible improvements, ensuring the facility meets the needs of athletes, students, participants and visitors for decades to come.
 
Britt Lauritsen, Bemidji State's director of athletics, said donor contributions will maintain the renovated gymnasium's stake as a centerpiece of Beaver Athletics and community events.
 
"By investing in this project, you provide more than just bricks and mortar," Lauritsen said. "You invest in the future of Bemidji State's athletic excellence, our students' success and the continued strengthening of our vibrant community."
 
Visit bsualumni.org/donate/gymnasium to learn more or to make a gift online. Those interested can also contact Jesse Katz at 218-755-2827 or jesse.katz@bemidjistate.edu to schedule an informational meeting or to make a gift in person.
Donations will be accepted through April 1, 2027.
 
About the facility's usage
The BSU Gymnasium inside the Physical Education Complex is one of the most utilized and impactful facilities on the Bemidji State campus, serving as a gathering place for Beaver Athletics, BSU students, and the greater Bemidji community.
 
Each year, the facility hosts 34-38 Bemidji State athletic events, welcoming more than 13,000 fans to watch men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball. Beyond athletics, the gymnasium supports an additional 16-22 major community events that attract an estimated 9,000–27,000 attendees annually, including the BSU Powwow, dance competitions, Special Olympics and Unified events, high school track and robotics meets and university orientation.
 
The facility also averages 115 non-athletic bookings each year and serves as a home for academic courses, club and intramural sports and student organizations.
 
With tens of thousands of annual visitors and students, athletes and community members relying on the space throughout the year, the complex's renovations aim to strengthen an essential campus and community gathering place and enhance the experience of all who walk through its doors.
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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