Heiges Field House is the home court of Shippensburg University’s Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball teams. Heiges also serves as the home for the wrestling, volleyball and swimming teams. The facility is also used for high school tournament games, university open houses, winter commencement ceremonies, concerts, and is the site of the PIAA state gymnastics championships. In 2007, over 2,500 fans witnessed the PIAA basketball state semifinal contest between James Buchanan and Greencastle-Antrim. Its capacity is 2,768 for basketball and volleyball.
When constructed in the 1971, Heiges Field House was the second largest wooden-domed structure in the world. Besides the main arena, the field house contains offices, equipment rooms, a wrestling room, weight room, four handball courts, a weight-training fitness center an a natatorium with a six-lane, 25-yard pool and electronic timing.
After extensive renovations to the facility that included new bleachers, the 2007-08 season marked the first that the arena has featured a wooden playing surface. The floor was helped made possible through the support of Gannon Associates, who made a 10-year commitment that supports the University, men’s basketball, track and field and the athletics department. The company’s logo is featured prominently on the new floor.
The floor was designed by Connor Floor who has designed playing surfaces for the likes of the University of North Carolina and the University of Kansas as well as having constructed floors for NCAA Final Four competition at the RCA Dome and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. It is removed during the off-season.
Basketball
In recent years, the Red Raiders and its fans have created a true home court advantage in Heiges Field House. From the start of the 2004-2005 campaign to the end of the 2006-07 season, the Red Raiders posted a 37-3 record in home games under Dave Springer. This overwhelming success led the students of Shippensburg at the time to nickname Heiges Field House, “The Dungeon.”
In 2004-05, the Red Raiders won 11-straight home contests before falling in the season finale to eventual PSAC Champion Edinboro. But in 2005-06, the Red Raiders posted an incredible 15-1 record at Heiges Field House. The team won seven-straight home games to open the season and after a four-point loss to Cheyney, the Red Raiders closed the season with eight consecutive wins, including a 66-61 triumph over Indiana (Pa.) in the PSAC Tournament quarterfinals.
That game marked the first time that the men’s basketball program had ever hosted a PSAC Tournament game in Heiges Field House. Over 1,900 fans packed the building, making it the largest crowd to ever watch a basketball game in Heiges Field House.
In 2005-06, Shippensburg’s average margin of victory in games at Heiges Field House was 15 points. The Red Raiders scored more than 70 points eight times while limiting teams to 60 points or fewer 10 times. Shippensburg men's basketball finished the 2007 campaign with an impressive 11-1 mark at Heiges Field House, with the team’s only home defeat at the hands of California (Pa.).
The women's team has also thrived inside Heiges Field House. In nine seasons under the direction of head coach Kristy Trn, the Lady Raiders have posted a 99-27 record. That success correlates to a winning percentage of .786. The largest crowds for women’s basketball games was 1,300 for Clarion and the celebration of National Women and Girls in Sports Day on Feb. 21, 1998.
Volleyball
In 1980, the first volleyball team to represent Shippensburg University took the court at Heiges Field House. The team was established the prior year by the Student Association. Following the team's 2007 PSAC Eastern Division Championship, Heiges Field House served as the host of the 2007 PSAC Volleyball Championships, hosting five matches over the course of two days. The gym has hosted several tournaments throughout the years, including the Raider Classic and the SU Regional Crossover. The Lady Raiders have thrived in their home gym in recent years, posting a 27-7 record over the last two seasons.
Wrestling
The wrestling team became part of the athletic program in the 1956-57 academic year. A team was organized in 1948, but disbanded in 1950, only to become a permanent program six years later. For wrestling, Heiges Field House has a seating capacity of 4,000. The largest crowd for any athletic event in Heiges Field House was recorded on March 31, 1982 when 4,500 fans showed up to watch the United States take on the Soviet Union in a wrestling meet. Shippensburg wrestling has had great success in Heiges throughout the years, and the Red Raiders have hosted several tournaments, including the East Coast Duals in 2006.
Training Facilities
The scope and importance of sports medicine at Shippensburg University has shown rapid growth in recent years. In addition to upgraded facilities in 1986 in Heiges Field House, the university completed the renovation of a sports medicine facility in Henderson Gymnasium that primarily serves the women’s lacrosse, field hockey, and softball teams.
Prior to 1975, the training staff consisted of two student trainers. Today, three full-time certified athletic trainers as well as numerous student trainers oversee the training needs of the men’s and women’s athletic teams.
The Shippensburg University Department of Sports Medicine provides service to 20 athletic teams comprised of approximately 600 student-athletes. These individuals operate three athletic training facilities located throughout Shippensburg’s athletic facilities as well as an on campus rehabilitation center located inside Heiges Field House.
Rehabilitation Center
The Etter Health Center provides essential health-care services for Shippensburg’s student athletes. Orthopaedic Associates of Chambersburg serve as the team orthopedic consultants.
