For just the second time since 1960, Bemidji State’s students will make their way to a new facility in order to show support for Beaver basketball.

For decades, BSU’s students have packed the 2,500-seat BSU Gymnasium on campus to support the Beavers. Save for a temporary return to Memorial Hall in the fall of 2004 while a new floor was being installed, BSU basketball has made its home in the gym since it opened more than 50 years ago.

On Jan. 16-17, the Beavers will host Minnesota State, Mankato and Concordia-St. Paul for an historic weekend of basketball at the Sanford Center. The city-owned facility has been home of BSU men’s and women’s hockey since it opened in October of 2010, but this four-game Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference weekend marks its debut as a host for Beaver basketball.

The Beavers have long counted on a loud and supportive student section to help give it a home-court advantage, and the official student fan club is excited to bring that traditional energy into a new building for this special weekend series.

“The Beaver Dam Fan Club is very excited for this new opportunity to support our BSU men’s and women’s basketball teams,” said Autumn Aeling, president of the club. “The Sanford Center will provide a new and exciting environment to create energy with the student fans and boost school spirit.”

BSU is offering students a free shuttle from campus to the games on both Friday and Saturday nights. Shuttles will leave from the John Glas Fieldhouse parking lot at 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Friday and at 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Learn more about the Beaver Dam Fan Club on Facebook.