In 1978, the Recreational Sports and Amphitheatre Complex was opened. The building cost $4,000,000.00, nearly $1,000,000.00 of which had been given by A. Guy Freas and Robert L. Rooke. A bronze plaque attached to the building lists alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university who contributed funds for its construction.

The interior of the building contained an indoor track, five tennis courts, a wrestling room, a weight room, several saunas, and a whirlpool. There were also offices, classrooms, team rooms, a trainers' suite, a dance studio, and men's and women's locker rooms. Both men and women used the new facility.

An upstairs lounge was named in honor of John F. Zeller III, Vice-President and General Counsel. In 1979-80, Bucknell's Sports Hall of Fame was established in the upstairs hallway, a gift in memory of Benjamin Hoffman from his wife and sons.

The building was later called the Field House.