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Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center
Considered one the finest facilities of its kind in the nation, the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center (formerly UCM Multipurpose Building) is in its 48th year of service to the university in 2023-24. The $5.5 million facility was built at no expense to the State of Missouri, as financing was accomplished solely through student fees.
Previously named the UCM Multipurpose Building, the building was renamed in February 2024 in honor of former longtime UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Jerry M. Hughes, who served in the position for 40 years (1983-2023) before passing away in January 2023.Â
The facility is one of the busiest places on campus. In addition to being the home of Mules and Jennies basketball and indoor track and field, Jennies volleyball, and Mules wrestling, the facility is used by university students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public.
The main arena can accommodate four basketball or six volleyball courts at one time or all of the events for an indoor track meet.
Seating capacity in the Jeryy M. Hughes Athletics Center is 6,500 for basketball and volleyball, making it the largest such facility in the MIAA. It also seats 1,640 fans for indoor track meets and 10,000 people for concerts.
Numerous special events take place in the building each year. It hosted the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s state volleyball tournament from 1988 until 2008, while state high school playoff games for basketball are also played annually in the building.
In addition, the MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships have been contested in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center. The facility is also used for Central’s annual commencement ceremonies, major concerts, and other UCM events.
The building underwent a major renovation during the summer of 1998. An inlaid-wood floor was installed in the main arena, replacing most of the original Tartan surface and eliminating the need for the portable-wood floor that had been used for basketball since 1988, while the running track was resurfaced and new jumping and vaulting pits were created for track and field. The basketball floor got it's first redesign in the summer of 2019.
Previous improvements include the addition of a new scoreboard, containing a four-color message center manufactured by Daktronics, in 1986 and the purchase of two Sport Courts for volleyball in 1995 and 1998.
The facility received a new look at the start of the 2008-09 basketball season with the replacement of the general admission seating on the South end, and new chair-back seating in the lower reserved section on the North end of the arena.
The building underwent another major change in the summer of 2012 with the addition of a new center-hung display featuring a four-sided digital scoreboard with a 6'5" x 8'8" 10mm video display on each of the sides, with a static digital scoreboard underneath each display. In addition to the new center-hung display, the Multipurpose was equipped with new auxiliary wall scoreboards with stat panels. Three-sided shot clocks were added to both baskets and a 30' LED Scorer's Table system was also purchased for use during basketball games.
The first basketball game was played in the building on Nov. 27, 1976, when the Mules defeated Midland Lutheran College 92-75. The Jennies played their first contest in the facility on Dec. 8 of that season, dropping a 66-44 decision to Tarkio College.
The Jennies posted their first win in the building on Jan. 7, 1977, with a 76-42 victory over Grand View College. The facility was formally dedicated eight days later as the Mules beat Southwest Missouri State 90-62.
The Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center was designed by the architectural firm of Mantel and Teeter of Kansas City, Mo., and is managed by Cory Allensworth.
Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center - 500 S. Washington Street; Warrensburg, MO 64093
