Written by Bill Huddleston
As I took my seat inside Rougher Village for the initial basketball games, I couldn’t help but think how the facility’s name was the perfect way to describe the Muskogee community’s road to victory. And when observing the reactions and hearing the first thoughts of those in attendance on Friday the 13th, it was obvious the new arena was more than just a stroke of good luck.
The flagship project of the 2019 bond proposal recommended by Muskogee schools’ long range planning committee was approved by a resounding 70 percent vote of the people embracing the vision.
Muskogee superintendent of schools, Dr. Jarod Mendenhall could only smile when looking at the huge crowd in attendance and reflecting on efforts to complete Rougher Village.
“It was a culmination of all we went through to get here from the planning stages, the bond issue to the construction and eventually to the grand opening,” recalled Mendenhall. “When our kids took the floor and heard the roar of the crowd as they looked around the arena, that’s when I smiled and thought how great it is that these kids will not only use this facility but also be proud of where they play and where they represent. It warms my heart.”
As I walked inside the 80,000 square foot facility, there was no doubt that I was standing in the midst of Rougher Nation. The new home to the Hall of Fame, a state of the art weight training room, Rougher Spirit store, Varsity Club, the school’s athletic department offices as well as the football locker room that will open to the football stadium that was christened by the Roughers during the recent season as Muskogee reached the state semifinals with a 10-2 record.
The new arena includes 1,750 chair-back seats with digital video scoreboards at each end of the court.
“There’s not a bad seat in the house,” said Jason Parker, Executive Director of Athletics at Muskogee. “We’ve showcased our branding theme throughout including the Rougher logos on each end of the court.”
Every response of those attending the first game of the Roughers girls and boys teams inside Rougher Village beamed with pride for the students and for the community.
“The looks on the faces of our girls when we came on the floor for the first time was priceless,” explained Rougher girls basketball coach Bryan Bunch. “It made the wait worth it just to see these girls smiles and realize this is their new home for basketball.”
Bianca McVay admits her emotions were overflowing with pride.
“Outstanding! My favorite part was the murals on the walls and how you can look out and see the football field on the other side,” replied the Roughers senior on the girls’ team.
Boys coach Lou Dawkins echoed the sense of pride he and his team felt when taking the court at Rougher Village.
“Amazing, beautiful, a building that was meant for the students of Muskogee,” said Dawkins. “Rougher Village is better than some Division I college facilities across the country.”
Muskogee mayor Marlon Coleman couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and pride.
“This gives our young people a fighting chance to believe in Muskogee, to want to live in Muskogee, to want to work and play in Muskogee. We did the right things through the bond issue because Muskogee is too big for small dreams.”
With wall murals and championship banners that seemed to speak aloud, Rougher Village is a facility that displays the pride of Muskogee.
“Wow, this is fantastic,” said Terry Scott, who coached the boys program to its most recent appearance in the state tournament. “This facility gives me and all of Rougher Nation something to be proud of and the opportunity to be the host site for everything but a state tournament.”
The countless smiles on the faces of younger students indicated they were enjoying the atmosphere as I overheard the joy of my granddaughter while speaking to her grandmother.
“This is great, even the popcorn is really good. Honey, can I go shake hands with the Rougher Dog?”
And as for me…I’m proud that our community voted YES to give our students this facility and continue to make Muskogee schools the home of opportunity. Rougher Village is just another example of doing things right…the “Muskogee Way.”
