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Miga Court at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium
Located within the Clark Athletic Center, Miga Court is home to Utica University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and women’s volleyball program. The gymnasium features three full-length courts, seating for 2,200 spectators and a 24-foot video scorer’s table. The space also supports the University’s Wellness and Adventure Education program, with a high ropes course and zip line.
The court was dedicated on November 29, 2018, in memory of Pioneer Hall of Famer Doris Miga and Walter E. Miga, whose support of Utica athletics spanned more than four decades. Their sons, Wesley and Wester, honored that connection through a gift that helped fund gymnasium improvements, including renovated bleachers. The court’s naming established a lasting tribute to the couple, who attended home basketball games together for more than 45 years.
Doris began teaching at Utica in January 1963 and became a professor emerita of sociology. Known affectionately as “Mother Miga,” she served as a mentor to the men’s basketball team and supported the University’s intramural basketball program. A member of the Board of Trustees and recipient of multiple teaching honors, she was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2010. Walter, though not a University employee, was a familiar presence at campus events and served for many years as president of the athletics booster club.
Beyond intercollegiate competition, Miga Court has hosted community gatherings, including the Healthy for Good Expo associated with America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk in 2024. These events extend the gymnasium’s role as a gathering place for the University and the greater Utica community.
