Finneran Pavilion

The William B. Finneran Pavilion is a 6,501-seat multi-purpose arena in Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States, about 10 miles outside Philadelphia. It was built in 1985, and is home to the Villanova University Wildcats basketball teams. It is recognizable from the outside for its hyperbolic paraboloid roofline, similar to Alfond Arena at the University of Maine. It replaced the still-existing Villanova Field House, later renamed the "Jake Nevin Field House," a small arena-auditorium built in 1932. The first men's game played at the Pavilion took place on Saturday, February 1, 1986, versus the University of Maryland. For games where larger crowds are expected, Villanova plays at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia (where Villanova holds the record for largest Pennsylvania crowd to watch a college basketball game, att. 20,859).[3] The Finneran Pavilion is known for its famed student section, which constitutes a full third of the seating. Formerly located in the south end, the student bleachers seat 2,000 students but have been known to be filled with as many as 2,500 students.

This article is about an athletic arena at Villanova University. For the office and residence of the Governor of Vermont, see The Pavilion (Vermont). For other uses, see Pavilion (disambiguation).
William B. Finneran Pavilion
The Finn
The Finneran Pavilion during a basketball game in November 2018
Former namesJohn Eleuthère du Pont Pavilion (1986–1997)
The Pavilion (1997–2017)
LocationVillanova University
Villanova, PA 19085
Coordinates40.034072°N 75.336553°W / 40.034072; -75.336553
Public transit Stadium–Ithan Avenue:
  Norristown High Speed Line
SEPTA bus: 106
OwnerVillanova University
OperatorVillanova University
Capacity6,501 (basketball)
5,500 (concerts)
3,500 (tennis)
SurfaceMaple
Construction
Broke ground1985
OpenedFebruary 1, 1986
October 5, 2018[1]
Renovated2017-2018
ClosedFebruary 25, 2017 (Original Pavilion)
Construction cost$24.9 million
($58.1 million in 2019 dollars[2])
ArchitectTully International Inc.
Tenants
Villanova Wildcats (NCAA) (1986–1995, 1998-2017, 2018–present)
Philadelphia Freedoms (WTT) (2010–2016)

Until 2016, it was the home court of the Philadelphia Freedoms of World TeamTennis.[4]

The Pavilion student section
The Pavilion in 2006 pre-renovation

The arena is also used for concerts, conventions, trade shows, graduation ceremonies and other special events. The arena floor measures 23,016 square feet (2,138.3 m2). There are two meeting rooms.

History

The facility was originally known as John Eleuthère du Pont Pavilion, as it was funded in part by John Eleuthère du Pont, a member of the wealthy and influential Du Pont family. In 1997, the du Pont name was removed from the facility, with the family's tacit permission, after John was convicted of the murder of Olympic wrestling gold medalist Dave Schultz. From 1997 to 2017, it was simply The Pavilion before its current name was adopted as 1963 graduate William B. Finneran made a $22.6 million donation to the school in April 2016 to help with its current improvements.

Renovation

In 2016 it was announced the Pavilion would undergo a $65 million renovation to improve the aging facility. At the end of the 2016–17 academic year, the facility closed to begin on the renovations. During the renovations, Villanova's men's team played the 2017–18 season at Wells Fargo Center, while the women's team used Jake Nevin Field House.[5] The renamed William B. Finneran Pavilion reopened in October 2018 with new concession stands, "enhanced audio-visual capabilities", new seating, along with a new entrance. The renovation also included the Court One Club which features the court from the 2016 National Championship Game.[6] Another part of the renovation included reducing the student section on the south end and adding student seating to the baseline of the north end.[7] The first game played in the renovated Finneran Pavilion was a 100–77 victory over Morgan State.[8]

Events

The Finneran Pavilion is the current home to the Villanova Men's and Women's Basketball Teams. The arena also hosted other Villanova events including the yearly "Hoops Mania" event in Fall.[9] Hoops Mania is the kickoff event to the Villanova Men's Basketball season and has had past performers such as Drake, Nicki Minaj and Wiz Khalifa.[10] The Pavilion was the home court of the Philadelphia Freedoms of World TeamTennis from 2010 to 2016.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Villanova's Finneran Pavilion reopens after a $65 million renovation". Inquirer. October 5, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  2. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  3. No. 4 Villanova goes deep to beat No. 1 UConn
  4. George, John (January 26, 2010). "Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis moving home court to Villanova". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  5. "Villanova Basketball's Pavilion Renovation approved by Board of Trustees". vuhoops.com. February 14, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  6. "Finneran Pavilion FAQs". Villanova University. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  7. "Finneran Pavilion: A to Z Guide". Villanova University. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  8. "Morgan State vs. Villanova". ESPN. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  9. "Hoops Mania 2018". Villanova University. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  10. "Renovation to Hoops Mania Celebration". The Villanovan. September 16, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  11. George, John (January 26, 2010). "Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis moving home court to Villanova". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
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