The arena was named for Lynn St. John, who served as Ohio State's men's basketball coach and athletic director until 1947.

The men's and women's basketball teams moved to their current home, Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, in 1998.

In 2004, St. John Arena hosted its first men's basketball game in six years because of a scheduling conflict at the Schottenstein Center.

St. John Arena was again used for men's basketball on March 24, 2008, when the Buckeyes hosted an NIT game against the California Golden Bears.

Two hours prior to kickoff The Ohio State University Marching Band performs Buckeye favorites, and the players and coaches speak to the crowd.