Selland Arena brings back Bulldog basketball and nostalgia for fans

The court at Selland Arena may be new to these players, but it was a homecoming for many of their fans.

Marcelo Bautista came here for almost every home game back in the 80s, "The crowds were cheering, it was packed, and this was the place to be."

He remembers back to legendary coaches like Boyd Grant and Jerry Tarkanian and the excitement of Fresno State's 2003 Western Athletic Conference win. But for him, it's more than just memories of his favorite team.

"I finally got to come here and look back at some of those memories that I had and now my kids are here," Marcelo says.

The Dogs lead the all-time series against the roadrunners but head coach Vance Walberg is looking for his first dub against CSU Bakersfield.

Marcelo's son is also a life-long fan, as well as his entire family.

He and his wife Courtney met in college and now their kids are cheering on the same team.

"It's really like coming full circle. It's so awesome to be back here in Selland. I came with my parents from the time I was a toddler sitting on my mom's lap," said Courtney.

Theyre hoping this isn't the only time they get this experience and with new additions to the stadium, there's hope.

"What we're really trying to do, we don't want to compete with the SaveMart Center," says Mayor Jerry Dyer. "What we want to do is to reinvigorate our downtown, and at the same time, to bring that excitement to Bulldog basketball."

Mayor Dyer said the city invested $700,000 into a new score board and audio system here, which they expect to have up by next year. He added that anytime the Bulldogs want to have a game here, the doors will be open.