Bemidji State hockey debuted its fourth home on Nov. 17, 1967 with the introduction of the Fieldhouse Expansion to the BSU Physical Education Complex. In the 35 seasons since, BSU has developed one of the most-secure home-ice advantages in college hockey.

Simply put, BSU has dominated on its home ice. The Beavers have posted a 425-115-28 record in 568 games played at John Glas Fieldhouse, and have had a losing home-ice record just once during the life of the arena. Eleven times in its history BSU has assembled unbeaten streaks of 10 or more games in the building, while averaging nearly six goals per game. In total, BSU has out-scored its opposition by more than 1,600 goals at “The Glas.”

Final plans for the $970,000 Fieldhouse expansion were laid in the mid-1960s under the direction of then-BSU President Dr. Harry Bangsberg and athletics director Dr. Vic Weber. The Minnesota legislature granted authority to built the expansion in 1965, and the fieldhouse expansion was dedicated on Feb. 10, 1968.

In addition to its role as BSU’s home facility for both men’s and women’s ice hockey, the Glas Fieldhouse also plays a promient role in a variety of events for the BSU and Bemidji communities. High school contests and area youth figure skating shows occur while the ice is in place, while when the ice is removed the building plays host to events varying from the annual Jaycees Home, Sport and Travel Show to BSU’s commencement ceremonies.

Championship Tradition
Only adding to Bemidji State’s already-stellar winning tradition at John Glas Fieldhouse are the five national championships BSU has won on its home ice. The Beavers have competed for a national title six times on its home ice, bringing home an NAIA Championship in 1971 and four NCAA Division II Championships in 1984, 1986, 1993 and 1997.
In total, BSU has posted a 15-2-0 record on its home ice in national tournament play.

John S. Glas
From the time of its completion until Oct. 1, 1975, BSU’s hockey facility held the name of BSU Fieldhouse. But it was renamed in honor of the retiring John S. Glas (right), the acting president of Bemidji State University at the time of the arena’s completion. Glas arrived in Bemidji in 1939 to serve as business manager under then-BSU President Charles R. Sattgast and would remain with BSU for 36 years. When Glas arrived, the campus consisted of just two buildings - Deputy and Stanford halls - which served as the educational environment for the institution’s 340 students.

In 1957, Glas was appointed Assistant to the President, and in 1968 he was elevated to Vice President for Administrative Affairs and later earned the title Vice President Emeritus.

The decision to rename the Fieldhouse was recommended by the Men’s Physical Education Department. The Long Range Planning Committee endorsed the change, and President Dr. R.D. Decker submitted a request to the State Uniersity Board that it officially name the fieldhouse for Glas, “in recognition of his long and dedicated service to Bemidji State University.”