University of Dayton Arena

Infobox Arena
arena_name = University of Dayton Arena
nickname = UD Arena


caption = University of Dayton Flyers defeat Villanova University Wildcats, December 22, 2002, on a buzzer beater
location = 1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd.
Dayton, Ohio 45408
coordinates = Coord|39|44|08|N|084|12|0|W|type:landmark
opened = December 6, 1969
closed =
renovated = 1998, 2002
expanded =
demolished =
owner = University of Dayton
operator = University of Dayton
construction_cost = approximately $4.5 million USD in 1969
architect = GBBN Architects &
360 Architecture (2002 renovation)
former_names =
tenants = University of Dayton Flyers (NCAA) (1969-present)
seating_capacity = 13,409 (2002)|

University of Dayton Arena is a 13,409-seat multi-purpose arena in Dayton, Ohio. The arena opened in 1969. It is home to the University of Dayton Flyers basketball teams, and has hosted 72 games in the NCAA men's basketball tournament over its history, the fourth most prolific venue in NCAA history and the second most prolific among active venues [http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/m_final_four_records_book/2005/2005_m_final_four_records.pdf] , with the most recent in the opening round game of the 2008 tournament.

Since 2001, the facility has hosted the annual "play-in" game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament (officially the "opening round" game) which features the teams rated 64th and 65th in the tournament field [http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/m_final_four_records_book/2005/2005_m_final_four_records.pdf] . 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 a state of the art, 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.

The Arena has been hailed by sportscasters and opponent coaches alike as one of the greatest venues in college basketball [http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/facilities/UDArena.html] . 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.

During the 2004-2005 season, the University of Dayton ranked 18th in the nation in attendance at the arena.

Along with its hosting duties for the NCAA Tournament "play-in" game, the UD Arena also served as the host of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (now Horizon League) men's basketball conference tournament from 1989-91 and as the host of the Atlantic Ten Basketball tournament in 2003 and 2004. The Arena is scheduled to host the Opening Round game through 2010, the first and second round men's tournament games in 2009 and will be a regional venue for the women's tournament in 2007 and 2010.

External links

* [http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/facilities/UDArena.html University of Dayton Arena]
* [http://www.collegesportingnews.com/article.asp?articleid=8966 College Sporting News]
* [http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/shared/oh/mm/venues/udarena/index.html UD Arena Interactive Seating Chart]