Eastern Michigan Athletics
Bowen Field House
Women's Track & Field
Men's Track & Field
Directions to Bowen Field House.
Bowen Field House, constructed in 1955, stands as one of Eastern Michigan University’s most significant athletic and physical education facilities. It was built during a period of rapid campus growth, replacing the smaller Briggs Field House, which could no longer meet the needs of the expanding student population.
As the second field house on campus, Bowen was designed as the first stage of a full-scale physical education complex. The 88,000-square-foot building cost $1.25 million to construct and quickly became one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country. It included basketball, track, and baseball practice areas, indoor classrooms, and space for outdoor activities such as tennis and badminton. Permanent seating accommodated 1,200 spectators, with a theoretical capacity for up to 6,000. An eight-laps-to-the-mile indoor track, a hard-surfaced infield, a lounge, and a physical therapy room supported both athletics and academic programs. Later additions, including a gymnasium, swimming pool, additional locker rooms, and classrooms, expanded the facility’s role, connecting it to Warner Gymnasium and Olds-Robb Recreation/IM spaces.
The building honors Wilbur Pardon Bowen, the first head of EMU’s Department of Physical Education, who served from 1894 until his death in 1928. Bowen established teacher-training courses in physical education, earning degrees from Normal College and the University of Michigan and studying at Harvard under Dr. Sargent. He also led programs at the University of Nebraska and taught at institutions including Columbia University, the University of New York, the University of California, and the University of Utah. His vision laid the foundation for physical education at Eastern and influenced the broader field nationally.
Bowen Field House became a central venue for Eastern’s men’s basketball, where the team recorded 351 wins over 43 years. Fans embraced the building, and John C. Fountain, EMU’s radio announcer on WEMU, famously dubbed it “The Old Barn,” a nickname that remains. Originally, the basketball court ran east-west in front of the balcony, with baskets at each end, but in 1960 it was reoriented north-south. The facility has witnessed decades of cheering, applause, and athletic achievement while continuing to serve the campus community as an exercise and fitness facility.
Renovations have preserved Bowen’s historic character while modernizing the space. Updates in 1976 focused on increasing attendance and enhancing the fan experience. In 1982, a 9,400-square-foot addition improved lighting, seating, and the track surface, raising permanent capacity to 4,800. The 1986 remodel made the building fully accessible to people with disabilities, added a two-story southwest addition, updated offices, and modernized heating and air conditioning. More recently, the Gymnastics office was relocated and renovated in 2022, followed by the Gymnastics locker room relocation and renovation in 2024. The indoor track was replaced, and the field house interior was painted and updated in 2024. Upgrades to track equipment, the SASS office renovation, and the expansion and enhancement of the Sports Psychology office also occurred in 2024. New indoor batting cages were installed in 2025, and the weight room flooring was replaced and painted in 2026.
Today, Bowen Field House blends historic significance with contemporary functionality, continuing to support student-athletes, physical education programs, and campus recreation while maintaining its iconic status within Eastern Michigan University.
Bowen Field House, constructed in 1955, stands as one of Eastern Michigan University’s most significant athletic and physical education facilities. It was built during a period of rapid campus growth, replacing the smaller Briggs Field House, which could no longer meet the needs of the expanding student population.
As the second field house on campus, Bowen was designed as the first stage of a full-scale physical education complex. The 88,000-square-foot building cost $1.25 million to construct and quickly became one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country. It included basketball, track, and baseball practice areas, indoor classrooms, and space for outdoor activities such as tennis and badminton. Permanent seating accommodated 1,200 spectators, with a theoretical capacity for up to 6,000. An eight-laps-to-the-mile indoor track, a hard-surfaced infield, a lounge, and a physical therapy room supported both athletics and academic programs. Later additions, including a gymnasium, swimming pool, additional locker rooms, and classrooms, expanded the facility’s role, connecting it to Warner Gymnasium and Olds-Robb Recreation/IM spaces.
The building honors Wilbur Pardon Bowen, the first head of EMU’s Department of Physical Education, who served from 1894 until his death in 1928. Bowen established teacher-training courses in physical education, earning degrees from Normal College and the University of Michigan and studying at Harvard under Dr. Sargent. He also led programs at the University of Nebraska and taught at institutions including Columbia University, the University of New York, the University of California, and the University of Utah. His vision laid the foundation for physical education at Eastern and influenced the broader field nationally.
Bowen Field House became a central venue for Eastern’s men’s basketball, where the team recorded 351 wins over 43 years. Fans embraced the building, and John C. Fountain, EMU’s radio announcer on WEMU, famously dubbed it “The Old Barn,” a nickname that remains. Originally, the basketball court ran east-west in front of the balcony, with baskets at each end, but in 1960 it was reoriented north-south. The facility has witnessed decades of cheering, applause, and athletic achievement while continuing to serve the campus community as an exercise and fitness facility.
Renovations have preserved Bowen’s historic character while modernizing the space. Updates in 1976 focused on increasing attendance and enhancing the fan experience. In 1982, a 9,400-square-foot addition improved lighting, seating, and the track surface, raising permanent capacity to 4,800. The 1986 remodel made the building fully accessible to people with disabilities, added a two-story southwest addition, updated offices, and modernized heating and air conditioning. More recently, the Gymnastics office was relocated and renovated in 2022, followed by the Gymnastics locker room relocation and renovation in 2024. The indoor track was replaced, and the field house interior was painted and updated in 2024. Upgrades to track equipment, the SASS office renovation, and the expansion and enhancement of the Sports Psychology office also occurred in 2024. New indoor batting cages were installed in 2025, and the weight room flooring was replaced and painted in 2026.
Today, Bowen Field House blends historic significance with contemporary functionality, continuing to support student-athletes, physical education programs, and campus recreation while maintaining its iconic status within Eastern Michigan University.
Thank You from EMU Cross Country/Track & Field!
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Cross Country/Track & Field
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Giving Tuesday 2025 - Eastern Michigan Track & Field
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2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
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