It’s finally happening: Penn State basketball is returning to the building it called home from 1929-1996.

At today’s press conference at the Bryce Jordan Center, basketball coach Pat Chambers, athletic director David Joyner and former basketball coach Bruce Parkhill announced that Penn State will host Princeton at Rec Hall on December 14.

Ever since the announcement was made that the two were holding a press conference for a “special announcement,” people have speculated that it meant a game at Rec Hall. While there were other possible options, a game in Rec Hall always seemed the most likely.

Penn State moved from Rec Hall to their current home, the Bryce Jordan Center, when the BJC was finished before the 1995-96 season. The BJC has come under criticism for being so massive that it’s never 100 percent full, and for kicking out the basketball team for other events, most notably when the basketball team was forced to practice at the IM building because a Bon Jovi concert was coming to Happy Valley.

For Penn State basketball fans, this is awesome. I know it’s in the link from above, but seriously, tell me a game at Rec Hall doesn’t look awesome. Of course, Princeton isn’t anywhere near the caliber of Bob Knight’s old Indiana teams. Regardless, 7,000-8,000 people at Rec Hall is a far more intimidating environment than 7,000-8,000 people at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Rec Hall holds about 6,500-6,850 for its current teams: men’s and women’s gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling. However, its largest crowd was for a basketball game in 1973 against Virginia, when 8,600 people saw the Nittany Lions defeat the Cavaliers, 93-68.

Rec Hall has also provided Penn State teams with a significant home-court advantage recently. The women’s volleyball team won an unreal 94 straight matches in the building, including 22 straight NCAA tournament matches, which is the longest home winning streak in Division 1 volleyball history (men’s or women’s), and is the fourth longest home winning streak overall in Division 1 sports history, behind only Kentucky (129 games), St. Bonaventure (99) and UCLA (98) men’s basketball.

UPDATE: According to a press release, tickets will break down thusly — 6,300 total seats, 4,200 for the general public, 2,100 for students. Tickets will be priced at $20 for adults, $10 for students and $100 for baseline floor seats, that will include food service during the game.

The release dates for tickets are spread out throughout September. The first tickets go on sale September 10 to fans who are season ticket holders and Hoops Club members. Next, on September 16, fans who are either season ticket holders or Hoops Club members will be able to acquire them. Finally, on September 24, tickets will go on sale to the general public.

As for students, tickets will go on sale some time in October, the exact date TBA. Tickets will go on sale in the HUB, but students with student season tickets will receive first access to tickets. Onward State will keep you updated as more information comes in.

Finally, good news for people who hate paying to park at the BJC for basketball games (so everyone): parking for the game is free. Parking will be available in lot Red A and the Nittany Parking Deck, just like how it is for wrestling or volleyball.