University of Dayton Arena (commonly known as UD Arena) is a 13,435-seat multi-purpose arena in Dayton, Ohio. The arena opened in 1969. It is home to the University of Dayton Flyers basketball teams. Since 2001, it has been the birthplace of "March Madness." 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. In 2011, when the tournament expanded to four opening round games, the arena continued to host all "first four" games. Overall, the arena has hosted more men's NCAA Division I basketball tournament games than any other venue.
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 new and expanded concession areas, luxury boxes, disabled access improvements, and a restaurant/bar named the Time-Warner Flight Deck. Because of this, the venue was awarded the 2003 and 2004 Atlantic Ten Conference men's basketball tournaments. In 2010, four new videoscreens by Daktronics were installed, one in each of the arena's four corners.
The arena has been hailed by sportscasters and opponent coaches alike as one of the greatest venues in college basketball. Since its opening in 1969, over 14 million visitors have witnessed events at the arena. In 2002, the arena was the site of the first ever high-definition television (HDTV) broadcast for ESPN.
§Arena Attendance
As of 2010, the University of Dayton has ranked in the top 25 in the nation for attendance at the arena 18 times. 10th during 1972, 1974. 17th during 1978. 18th during 2005. 20th during 1979, 1987. 21st during 1985, 1986. 22nd during 1980. 23rd during 2002, 2006. 24th during 1988, 2000, 2001, 2003. 25th during 1981, 1984, 2004.
§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 1989-91 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. Through March 13, 2012, it has hosted 89 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.
§Other events
The University of Dayton Arena is the largest indoor arena between Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, and as a result it is often a regular stop for concert tours. Elton John, Aerosmith, Rush, Bob Seger, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Usher, Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z and other performers have performed at this arena. It has also been host to the Winter Guard International color guard and indoor percussion championships since 2005, and sporadically prior to that. It also hosted the Royal Hanneford Circus for most of the 1990s. World Wrestling Entertainment hosted matches at the UD Arena during the 1980s.
§References
§External links
- daytonflyers.com: UD Arena
- College Sporting News
- UD Arena Interactive Seating Chart
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