First Bank & Trust Arena: Beyond Special

Mylo Hellickson can remember the very first event he attended in Frost Arena.

It was February 1973; SDSU men’s basketball played against North Dakota State, and they lost – but that mattered little to Jackrabbit Nation. Having just debuted as a state-of-the-art facility, Frost Arena had opened its doors to an enthusiastic sea of yellow and blue, eager to experience the new building for themselves and to usher in a new era of athletics.

Now, Mylo and his wife, Lillian, will have the chance to experience that excitement all over again with the grand opening of First Bank & Trust Arena.

Serving as shot clock operator for over 35 years and stepping in as interim athletic director in 2009, Mylo has witnessed countless seasons and milestones in Frost Arena – though he and Lillian estimate that they’ve been in attendance of at least 1,300 events in the beloved facility. Taking in the many highs and lows, victories and defeats, and priceless memories in Frost Arena, Mylo has had a courtside seat to history. The man is a walking encyclopedia of the building, with razor-sharp recall of dates and events (though Lillian jokes that, when it comes to anniversaries and other personal milestones, his memory isn’t quite so infallible).

With his access to all things Frost, Mylo finds it difficult to narrow down his favorite memories over the years, but there are plenty of contenders that immediately come to mind. The “Miracle at Frost” in 1985, in which the Jacks rallied from a three-point deficit in the final eleven seconds of the game, with standout player Arvid Young flopping to the floor in joy after his tip-in won the night, waving his arms and kicking his feet in victory. The women’s team winning the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) in 2022, electrified by the masses of fans waiting outside the arena for hours to see them play. A particularly impressive slam dunk pulled off by Matt Jones after he caught a half-court pass. The year that Mylo was honored as a speaker at commencement. For Mylo, the list of pivotal moments is forever ongoing.

While Mylo’s days of operating the shot clock are behind him, he has no intention of missing a game. He’s eager to experience the new First Bank & Trust, reminiscing on SDSU Athletics’ journey from playing in the Barn to Frost Arena to a facility that represents another 50 years of Jackrabbit competition and connection.

While the Hellicksons are a regular fixture at any given event in soon-to-be First Bank & Trust Arena, that was far from their original intentions when they moved to Brookings. Arriving from West Virginia in 1969, the couple imagined they would remain at the college on the hill for a few years before moving on to the next opportunity.

More than 50 years later, Mylo recalled the moment they realized that plan had all but gone out the window. “After about six weeks of living in town, we’re having breakfast, and I tell Lil, ‘We’ve died and gone to heaven.' That’s Brookings.’”

His statement also applies to First Bank & Trust Arena. Many struggle to find words of the energy that makes the facility so beloved and unique, but Mylo’s description is about as close as it gets.

The arena is a dynamic combination of old and new, nostalgia for the past and excitement for the future. It’s a place for community and connection, home to bold momentum and athletic excellence.

Much like February 1973, First Bank & Trust Arena will be inundated with diehard Jackrabbits on opening night, looking ahead to 50 more years of memories. When that night comes, you’ll find the Hellicksons taking it all in, adorned in yellow and blue and eager to be a part of what comes next.

Like Mylo summed up, “It’s something that’s very, very easy to be excited about.”