United Spirit Arena

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United Spirit Arena
Location	1701 Indiana Ave Lubbock, TX 79409
Broke ground	March 27, 1997[1]
Opened	November 20, 1999[2]
Owner	Texas Tech University
Operator	Texas Tech University
Surface	Hardwood
Construction cost	$62 million USD[2]
Architect	Rosser International, Atlanta
Tenants
Texas Tech Red Raiders (NCAA) (1999-Present)
Capacity
15,020

United Spirit Arena is a 15,020-seat multi-purpose arena in Lubbock, Texas. The arena opened in 1999. It is home to the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams and volleyball team. United Supermarkets, a Lubbock based supermarket chain with numerous stores in west Texas, was a major contributor. Thus, it was granted naming rights. Prior to the building of the arena, the teams played in the nearby Lubbock Municipal Coliseum.

[edit] Notable events

• The first basketball game was played in the arena on November 19, 1999. Texas Tech lost 68-60 to Indiana,^[3] whose legendary coach Bob Knight would later become the head coach of Texas Tech's men's basketball team. (Perhaps ironically, United Spirit Arena's address is 1701 Indiana Avenue.)
• Elton John's performance on February 8, 2000 was the first concer to be held at United Spirit Arena.
• United Sprit Arena has hosted WWE RAW (the first RAW ever to be hosted in Lubbock) in May 2006.
• On May 4, 2007, the Houston Comets with former Lady Raider Sheryl Swoopes will play a WNBA exhibition game against the Detroit Shock with Plenette Pierson, another former Lady Raider.^[4]

[edit] References

1. ^  Associated Press (Mar. 27, 1997). Texas Tech breaking new ground. Amarillo Globe-News.
2. ^ ^a  Altenbaumer, Kara (Oct. 1, 1999). A grand time on tap for unveiling of Spirit Arena. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
3. ^  Rosetta, Randy (Nov. 20, 1999). Despite falling short, Red Raiders pleased. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
4. ^  (April 2, 2007). Tickets on Sale Now for WNBA Game in Lubbock. TexasTech.com.

[edit] External links

• Official Website
• Pictures Website

Basketball Arenas of the Big 12 Conference
Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas) • Bob Devaney Sports Center (Nebraska) • Bramlage Coliseum (Kansas State) • Coors Events Center (Colorado) • Ferrell Center (Baylor) • Frank Erwin Center (Texas) • Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State) • Hilton Coliseum (Iowa State) • Lloyd Noble Center (Oklahoma) • Mizzou Arena (Missouri) • Reed Arena (Texas A&M) • United Spirit Arena (Texas Tech)