Sights and Sounds: St. Thomas Basketball Debuts at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena

A new era in St. Thomas basketball tipped off on Nov. 8 when the men’s and women’s teams played their first-ever games in the 5,300-seat Lee & Penny Anderson Arena.

How loud was the action as the Tommies took on Army? The noise turned up several decibels many times throughout the day – especially during the men’s game when guard Ryan Lafferty ’28 tossed an alley-oop to teammate Nolan Minessale ’28 for a slam dunk that brought the packed student section to its feet.

“It was an amazing experience with all the fans, the students and the place being sold out,” Carter Bjerke '27, St. Thomas men's forward, said.

Benefactors Lee and Penny Anderson, whose generous $75-million gift for the arena is the largest single gift ever to a Minnesota university, were among those in the crowd. They were honored on the court prior to the men’s game and serenaded by loud chants from the student section. The couple watched as the men defeated the Black Knights from West Point, Lee Anderson’s alma mater, 83-76. In the women’s afternoon game, Army beat St. Thomas 67-61.

The doubleheader featured more than basketball action. The Tommies 18-time national champion dance team performed several routines throughout both games; Our Fairly Odd Dogs performed at half for the women’s game and the infamous Red Panda was the showstopper for the men’s halftime show.