part of the Then and Now continuing series about the March of Time
Welcome back to Spring 2026!
First, just a quick history for anyone not familiar with the history of the University of Southern Indiana. Way back in 1965 we started as a regional campus of Indiana State University, thus called Indiana State University Evansville, or ISUE. There was no campus as we know it today; early classes were held in an old (built in 1876) building at 112 N.12th Ave. called Centennial School.
From 1968-1970 there was not an official ISUE basketball team, but ISUE students who wanted to play basketball played in an Industrial League Club team, with the team name, Spartans. They competed mostly against area community colleges, playing in various locations. In the 1970-71 school year basketball became our first intercollegiate sport, and the name of Screaming Eagles was chosen.
There was no athletic facility on campus, so the new ISUE Screaming Eagles played in the old (1927) Central High School gymnasium, located at the corner of Court and NW 6th Sts. This served from 1972-1979.
The Physical Activities Center (PAC) was opened on campus in 1980. ISUE/later USI basketball was played there for 39 years.
In 2019 a new arena, the Screaming Eagles Complex, opened.
Both images, Google street maps view, July 2023.
In 2024, this complex was renamed Liberty Arena.
amUSIngArtifacts 
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