Walk into the shadow of the massive, concrete Ohio Stadium on a crisp October morning and you’ll see it. It’s a squat, circular, beige-brick building that looks like a forgotten relic of 1950s futurism. That is St John Arena Columbus. To a casual tourist, it’s just an old gym. To a Buckeye? It’s holy ground. It's the place where the "Skull Session" turns a football Saturday into a religious experience.
Honestly, it’s a miracle the place is still standing. In an era where universities bulldoze history to build glass-and-steel "student success centers" or high-tech practice facilities, St John Arena remains. It doesn't have the luxury suites of the Schottenstein Center or the air conditioning that modern recruits expect. It has tight concourses. It has those wooden seats that creak when you shift your weight. It has history you can practically smell.
The Architecture of a Basketball Cavern
When it opened in 1956, St John Arena was a marvel. Named after L.W. St. John, who served as Ohio State's athletic director for over three decades, the building was designed specifically to fix a problem: the Buckeyes were too popular for their old gym. The architects went with a circular design to ensure there wasn't a bad seat in the house. Seriously. Even if you're in the very last row of the upper deck, you feel like you're on top of the action.
The acoustics are what really set it apart. Because of the domed ceiling and the proximity of the seats to the floor, sound doesn't just travel; it bounces and intensifies. When 13,000 people started screaming for Jerry Lucas or John Havlicek in the early 60s, the noise was physical. It shook your chest. It’s a different kind of loud than the open-air roar of the "Shoe" next door. It’s contained. Industrial.
When the Buckeyes Ruled the Hardwood
You can't talk about St John Arena Columbus without talking about the golden era of Ohio State basketball. From 1960 to 1962, this was arguably the center of the college basketball universe. Imagine watching Jerry Lucas, a guy so smart he reportedly memorized the Manhattan phone book, dominating the paint while a young Bobby Knight sat on the bench as a reserve.
They won the national title in 1960. They went on a 50-game home winning streak. People talk about "The Schott" today, and sure, it’s nice, but it lacks the intimacy that made St John a house of horrors for visiting Big Ten teams. Coach Fred Taylor built a machine here. The fans were so close to the court they could practically see the sweat on the opposing coach's forehead. It wasn't just a game; it was a claustrophobic pressure cooker.
Eventually, the program moved out in 1998. The "Schott" offered more seats and, more importantly, more revenue. But something was lost in the move. Ask any fan who attended games in both venues, and they’ll tell you the same thing: the soul stayed behind in the old brick circle.
The Skull Session Tradition
If you aren’t a basketball fan, you probably know the arena for one thing: the Skull Session. This isn't just a band rehearsal. It’s a pep rally on steroids. Two hours before every home football game, the Ohio State University Marching Band—The Best Damn Band in the Land (TBDBITL)—marches into St John Arena.
The place is packed. People line up hours in advance just to get a seat. The band plays the fight songs, the football team walks through the middle of the crowd, and the head coach gives a speech that usually involves a lot of shouting about "The Team Up North." It’s loud. It’s sweaty. It’s perfect.
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There is a specific moment during the Skull Session where the brass section plays "Buckeye Battle Cry" and the percussion kicks in, and the entire building feels like it might actually lift off the ground. That’s why St John Arena Columbus is still relevant. It serves as the heartbeat of a game day. Without it, the trek to the stadium would feel a lot more like a walk and a lot less like a march to war.
Wrestling, Volleyball, and the "Niche" Powerhouse
While basketball left, other sports stayed. And honestly? St John Arena is a better fit for them anyway. It is currently the home for Ohio State’s men’s and women’s gymnastics, as well as wrestling and volleyball.
Wrestling at St John is an experience. They drop a single light over the mat, turn off the house lights, and the arena becomes a dark, echoing pit. It’s intimidating. In 2015, when the Buckeyes won the NCAA Wrestling Championship, the momentum built in this building was a huge part of that culture. The fans are right there. There is no barrier. If a wrestler gets thrown out of bounds, they’re practically landing in a fan’s lap.
Why Hasn't It Been Torn Down?
This is the question everyone asks. The land St John Arena sits on is some of the most valuable real estate in Columbus. It’s right across from the stadium. It’s in the heart of the athletic district.
There have been multiple plans to demolish it. Back in the mid-2010s, it seemed like a done deal. The university wanted to build a new multi-sport arena. But every time the wrecking ball gets close, the community pushes back. There is a sentimental attachment to this building that defies logic.
Also, it’s practical. Where else are you going to put 13,000 people for a band rehearsal? Where else can you host the state high school wrestling tournaments with that much "old school" atmosphere? The university realized that while St John is expensive to maintain, it is impossible to replace. You can't manufacture seventy years of ghosts.
A Ghostly Atmosphere
If you ever get the chance to walk through the arena when it’s empty, do it. It’s eerie. The light filters in through the upper windows in long, dusty shafts. You can see the championship banners hanging from the rafters, slightly yellowed by time.
You think about the legends who have walked these halls. It’s not just Buckeyes. Jesse Owens spent time in the athletic offices here. Countless Olympians trained in the basement facilities. It’s a museum that’s still in use.
The Future of the Arena
So, what happens next? Currently, the university uses it for "overflow" events and the aforementioned Olympic sports. There are constant rumors about a massive renovation. The problem is that a true renovation—adding modern HVAC, widening the concourses, and bringing everything up to 2026 building codes—might cost more than just building something new.
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But for now, it stays. It serves as a bridge between the Ohio State of the past and the massive, corporate-sponsored athletic department of the future. It’s a reminder that sports used to be a bit more rugged. A bit closer.
How to Experience St John Properly
If you're planning a trip to see St John Arena Columbus, don't just look at it from the outside.
- Attend a Skull Session. Even if you don't have tickets to the football game, the Skull Session is free. Get there at least two and a half hours before kickoff.
- Go to a Volleyball Match. The tickets are cheap, the environment is intense, and you get to see the building in its "active" state.
- Walk the Concourse. Look at the old photos and trophies tucked away in the glass cases. It’s the best free museum in Columbus.
- Sit in the Upper Deck. Just for a minute. Notice how steep the stairs are. Feel how close you are to the ceiling.
The arena isn't going to be around forever. Nothing is. But while it's here, it remains one of the most authentic spots in college sports. It doesn't try to be fancy. It doesn't have a giant jumbotron with "Make Noise" graphics. It doesn't need them. The building itself tells you what to do.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you're heading to the arena, keep a few things in mind. Parking is a nightmare on game days, so park north of Lane Avenue and walk in. If you're going for a non-football event, you can usually find spots in the North St. John Lot, but check the university's "CampusParc" website first because they love to hand out tickets.
Also, dress in layers. Since the climate control is... let's call it "vintage," the building can be freezing in the winter and a sauna in the early fall. It’s all part of the charm.
Finally, take pictures of the exterior "St. John Arena" signage. It’s iconic mid-century typography that you just don't see anymore. This place is a survivor. Treat it with a little respect, and it’ll give you one of the best atmospheres in the Big Ten.
Next Steps:
Check the official Ohio State Buckeyes website for the current season's wrestling or volleyball schedule. Most of these events have high availability for tickets and provide the most intimate way to see the arena's interior architecture without the massive crowds of a football Saturday. For the best photography, visit the east side of the building during the "golden hour" just before sunset to catch the light hitting the brickwork against the backdrop of the stadium.