UD Arena

University of Dayton Arena (commonly known as UD Arena) is a 13,435-seat multi-purpose arena located in Dayton, Ohio. The arena opened in 1969. It is home to the University of Dayton Flyers basketball teams. From 2001 to 2010, the facility hosted the annual "play-in" game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament (officially the "opening round" game) which featured the teams rated 64th and 65th in the tournament field. Beginning in 2011, when the tournament expanded to four opening-round games, the arena continued to host all "first four" games.[2] Overall, the arena has hosted more men's NCAA Division I basketball tournament games than any other venue.

University of Dayton Arena
UD Arena
Location1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd
Dayton, OH 45417-4666
OwnerUniversity of Dayton
Capacity
    • 13,435 (basketball)
    • 14,000 (full-house events)
    • 5,500 (half-house events)
Construction
Broke groundNovember 7, 1968
OpenedDecember 6, 1969 (1969-12-06)
Renovated
  • 1998
  • 2002
  • 2017–2019
Construction costapproximately $4.5 million
($33.1 million in 2019 dollars)[1]
Architect
Tenants

The playing court is known as Blackburn Court, named after historic UD coach Tom Blackburn. The Donoher Center expansion on the southwest corner of the arena was completed in 1998. Named for former Flyers basketball coach Don Donoher, the Center provides an NBA-caliber facility for conditioning and game preparation. The arena was extensively renovated during the summer of 2002. The additions include concession areas, luxury boxes, disabled access improvements, and a restaurant/bar. The venue was awarded the 2003 and 2004 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball tournaments. In 2010, four new video screens were installed, one in each of the arena's corners. Following the 2016–17 basketball season, a 3-year renovation project began at UD Arena. The renovations are expected to be completed by 2020.[3]

Since its opening in 1969, over 14 million visitors have attended events at the arena. In 2002, the arena was the site of the first ever high-definition television (HDTV) broadcast for ESPN.[2]

Construction

UD Arena was designed by Pretzinger & Pretzinger Architects and Engineers. Construction commenced on November 7, 1968.[2]

The arena was opened on December 6, 1969.[2]

Arena attendance

As of 2017, the University of Dayton has ranked in the top 25 in the nation for attendance at the arena 21 times.[4]

NCAA basketball tournament hosting

The arena has hosted NCAA Tournament games 24 times since it opened. Along with its hosting duties for the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Opening Round game ("play-in" game), it also served as the host of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (now Horizon League) men's basketball conference tournament from 1989 to 1991 and was the host of the Atlantic Ten Basketball tournament in 2003 and 2004. The arena hosted the Opening Round game through 2010, when it was also a regional venue for the women's tournament. It then became the first location for the revised opening round of four games for the men's tournament in March 2011.

The University of Dayton Arena hosted second- and third-round games of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament as well as the four opening-round games of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 tournaments.[5] Through March 15, 2018, it has hosted 119 games in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament over its history, making it the most used venue to host NCAA Men's Tournament games ahead of Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium which has hosted 83.[6]

Floor used for First Four, 2017

Other events

As the largest indoor arena between Cincinnati and Columbus, UD Arena is a regular stop for concert tours. Elton John, Elvis Presley, Aerosmith, Rush, Bob Seger, Mötley Crüe, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Usher, Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z and others have performed there. It has been host to the Winter Guard International color guard, indoor percussion and winds World Championships since 2005. It hosted the Royal Hanneford Circus for most of the 1990s. WWE has hosted matches at the UD Arena since the 1980s. The Flyer Pep Band, UD's basketball pep band, plays at every UD basketball game at the arena. The University of Dayton holds its graduation ceremonies at the arena.

Exterior 2008
Interior 2008

See also

References

  1. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  2. "University of Dayton Arena". University of Dayton Athletics. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  3. "Transform UD Arena". transformudarena.com. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  4. "NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Attendance Leaders Year-by-Year (1970–2010)" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  5. http://www.whiotv.com/ud/21059563/detail.html
  6. Harris, Doug (February 13, 2012). "UD pushing toward First Four sellout". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
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