Neal Baisi Athletic Center

The Neal Baisi Athletic Center was designed specifically to meet the needs of the students and student-athletes at WVU Tech. Built in 1968, the building has three floors, providing both offices for its coaches and Athletic Coaching Education lecturers and athletic venues that are among the best in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In addition to a 2,000-seat gymnasium, the Neal Baisi Athletic Center houses a Wellness Center, swimming pool, two fully-equipped weight rooms and a Golden Bear Hall of Fame room filled with the accomplishments of its student-athletes and coaches.

The structure earned its name in 2000 from the late Neal Baisi, a long-time friend of WVU Tech athletics. Mr. Baisi was a former coach, athletic director and lecturer at WVU Tech and gained national fame when he published his book, Coaching the Zone and Man-to Man Pressing Defenses. Authoring the book was not his only accomplishment; indeed, the coach led WVU Tech to 319-76 overall record in his twelve years at the helm of the mens basketball team. He won four conference championships (1956-57, 1957-58, 1963-65) and two state tournaments (1955-56, and 1962-63).

Astonishingly, Coach Baisi, who was often affectionately called Papa Bear, accomplished his feats with local talent from Montgomery. Coach Baisi graduated from WVU Tech in 1950 and has been honored several times by his alma mater. Mr. Baisi was named WVU Tech Alumni of the Year in 1989. He was later inducted as a student into the WVU Tech Athletic Department Hall of Fame in 1989 and again as a coach in 1998.