{
  "id": 18476797,
  "title": "An NAIA school built a $30 million arena. Why it's a difference-maker for Indiana Wesleyan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/an-naia-school-built-a-30-million-arena-why-its-a-difference-maker",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-06T09:31:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/naia-school-built-30-million-093115868.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indiana Wesleyan University constructed a $30 million arena called I AM THIRD Arena, intended to be a standout facility in NAIA athletics. The arena opened on Friday with a sold-out basketball doubleheader. Its name derives from the core values of Indiana Wesleyan's men's basketball program: God first, others second, self third. Coach Greg Tonagel emphasized the importance of aligning the team's goals with these values, stating that such an approach leads to personal flourishing and fulfillment for others as well.\n\nThe 2,300-seat arena features five suites, a unique offering for a NAIA institution. The president's suite is centrally located, with the remainder available for rental by donors, recruits, or campus events. Premium season-ticket holder seats near the suites, all sold out for the 2026-27 season, have enhanced the arena's appeal. The court, named after a former player who died in 1999, bears his name across the floor as a tribute.\n\nCaleb Dimmich embodied the 'I am third' philosophy, and his legacy is honored in the arena. The arena repurposed a decommissioned dormitory on campus, converting it into a 50-room boutique hotel that will cater to visiting teams and families of students. The former gymnasium, which previously housed multiple sports, will now be solely dedicated to volleyball.\n\nThe new arena consolidates athletics space, reducing overcrowding on campus and streamlining practice schedules. Women's basketball players can now practice and lift directly after each other without interruption. A recovery room with cryotherapy, red light therapy, massage, and sauna facilities caters to the athletes' well-being. The practice court has direct access to locker rooms equipped with high-end amenities similar to those in Division I programs. The women's locker room even features disco balls and 'Juice' and 'Fearless' neon signs to celebrate victories and foster a winning culture.",
  "summary": "IWU basketball has a $30 million arena that rivals NCAA Division-I venues. Inside the arena, the name, honoring a former player who died and more.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}