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Athletics-Recreation Center
Home of the Valparaiso Beacons
1009 Union St
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Opened: November 27, 1984
The Athletics-Recreation Center, also known as the ARC, is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, United States. It serves as the home court for Valparaiso Beacons men's and women's basketball teams as well as the volleyball team. It opened in 1984 as an addition to Hilltop Gym, the oldest parts of which date to 1939.

Prior to construction of the ARC, the Valpo basketball and volleyball teams competed at Hilltop Gymnasium, which opened in 1939 and is among the first facilities built at the university after it was purchased by the Lutherans. Hilltop had previously been expanded in 1962 to include more seating for basketball and a swimming pool on the first floor. Hilltop Gym was home for Valpo basketball when it competed in the NCAA's former College Division, for smaller schools. Notable individuals to appear in Hilltop include Larry Bird during his collegiate career at Indiana State, and Robert F. Kennedy, who gave a speech in the gym during his presidential campaign. It is now used as a practice facility for the men's and women's basketball teams following a 2005 renovation that included new flooring, lighting, windows and numerous banners celebrating Valpo's basketball tradition.

Beginning in the late 1970s it was decided that Valpo needed to expand its basketball facilities again, and in 1984, the $7.25 million expansion on the north side of Hilltop Gym, named the Athletics and Recreation Center, was completed. The ARC added 84,000 square feet to the existing gym for a total of 142,000 square feet.

The men's basketball team played their first game there on November 27, 1984, against Western Michigan University and their dedication game there on December 9, 1984, against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The greatest upset in the ARC occurred four years later against this same team, when Valpo defeated the 19th ranked Fighting Irish in front of 4,913 fans. In 1995 the ARC hosted the finals of the Mid-Continent Conference men’s basketball tournament and the 2012, 2013, and 2015 Horizon League Men's Basketball Tournament finals.

The largest crowd in arena history was 5,444 fans for the 2016 NIT Quarterfinal against St. Mary Gaels on March 22, 2016. The total eclipsed the previous record of 5,432 in attendance for the February 5, 2008, meeting against the 10th-ranked Butler Bulldogs on February 5, 2008.
Last 10 Games
Date Opponents Result
Feb 25, 2026Drake @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Feb 18, 2026Bradley @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Feb 15, 2026Indiana State @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Feb 6, 2026Evansville @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Jan 28, 2026Belmont @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Jan 21, 2026Southern Illinois @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Jan 17, 2026Northern Iowa @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Jan 7, 2026Illinois State @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Jan 4, 2026UIC @ Valparaiso 0 - 0
Dec 21, 2025Murray State @ Valparaiso 0 - 0