Indiana Wesleyan University held a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 18 for its new I AM THIRD Basketball Arena. This marks the start of construction for the $30 million dollar facility.
The arena will be home to the Wildcats’ basketball teams and is expected to be completed by December 2026.
“We believe that this arena will not only be a state-of-the-art facility but also a place where our values of service and humility will be lived out on and off the court,” Dr. Jon Kulaga, President of Indiana Wesleyan University, said.
Kulaga said this arena is part of a broader effort by IWU to enhance its campus infrastructure while reinforcing the university’s commitment to faith and service.
The I AM THIRD arena will feature a large seating capacity, modern amenities, and facilities for athletes and fans alike.
The new arena is named after the “I AM THIRD” philosophy, which promotes placing God first, others second and oneself third. This guiding principle has been a cornerstone of the men’s basketball program at IWU.
Greg Tonagel, head coach of the IWU men’s basketball team, said the “I AM THIRD” philosophy is important in shaping the team’s identity and mission.
“The phrase ‘I AM THIRD’ is something we live by every day,” Tonagel said. “This building is a reflection of that statement because it’s not just about winning games. It’s about building men who understand the importance of putting God and others first. This arena is going to give us an opportunity to keep doing that.”
The ceremony brought together university officials, students and members of the community to celebrate the launch of the project.
IWU student Graham Goodfellow said he thinks the new arena will mean a lot for students and the larger campus community.
“This arena is going to be a game changer for us,” Goodfellow said. “I think it will be really cool to see the finished project and will bring people from all over to IWU’s campus.”
As construction begins, President Kulaga said IWU officials and stakeholders remain hopeful that the project will have a lasting impact on the campus and surrounding community.
“We are excited to see this vision come to life and to see how this space will be used to glorify God and serve others,” President Kulaga said. “It’s going to be an important part of the future of IWU.”
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