Frank Erwin Center
| Frank Erwin Center | |
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| The Drum, The Superdrum | |
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| Full name | Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Special Events Center |
| Former names | Special Events Center (1977-1980) |
| Location | 1701 Red River Street Austin, TX 78701-1438 |
| Coordinates | 30°16′37″N 97°43′56″W / 30.276958°N 97.732216°WCoordinates: 30°16′37″N 97°43′56″W / 30.276958°N 97.732216°W |
| Broke ground | 1974 |
| Opened | November 29, 1977 |
| Renovated | 2001 |
| Expanded | 2003 |
| Owner | University of Texas at Austin |
| Operator | University of Texas at Austin |
| Surface | Terrazzo Floor/Portable basketball floor/Portable turf |
| Construction cost | $34 million (original) ($129 million in 2013 dollars[1]) $55 million (renovations/expansion) |
| Architect | B.W. Crane and Ralph Anderson of Houston Heery International (renovations/expansion) |
| Structural engineer | Walter P Moore[2] |
| Capacity | 17,900 (center stage) (concert) 16,734 (basketball, 2009-present) 16,755 (basketball, 2004-2009) 16,837 (basketball, 2003-2004) 16,079 (basketball, 2002-2003) 16,175 (basketball, 1995-2002) 16,231 (basketball, 1977-1995) 7,820 (theatre) |
| Record attendance | John Denver 17,829 |
| Tenants | |
| Texas Longhorns (NCAA) (1977–present) Austin Wranglers (AFL)/(af2) (2004–2008) |
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The Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Special Events Center, commonly known as Frank Erwin Center or UT Erwin Center, is a multipurpose arena on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. It is also sometimes referred to as "The Drum" or "The Superdrum", owing to its drum-like appearance from outside (not to be confused with Big Bertha, the large bass drum used by the University of Texas marching band). The multipurpose facility hosts entertainment events and is the home court for the UT men's and women's basketball programs.
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History [edit]
The center, intended to replace Gregory Gymnasium, cost $34 million to build in 1977. The first event to play at the Center was a UT basketball game which occurred on November 29, 1977 [1] UT began renovations of the center in 2001 and finished in 2003. Renovations included: Life safety upgrades, new concession stands and restrooms, elevator modernizations, addition of 28 suites, new scoreboard and indoor electronic video signs, addition of outdoor electronic video signs, and Lone Star Room (reception hall) renovations.
The building is named for former UT Board of Regents member Frank Erwin,[3] who attended the University of Texas and was a member of the same fraternity, Kappa Sigma, as several other prominent alumni who have had buildings at the University named after them (such as Beauford Jester, Denton Cooley, William Hogg, and Harry Huntt Ransom). Originally known as the Special Events Center, the facility was renamed in 1980 to honor Erwin, who had died that same year.
Seating [edit]
A two-level layout (the lower arena and upper mezzanine) accommodates up to 16,755 spectators. The outer ring of the arena averages around 20 rows deep, while the mezzanine is slightly deeper at around 24 rows. The size of the arena's inner ring is highly dependent on the event being hosted.
Current use [edit]
Located right next to downtown Austin, Texas, The Erwin Center is generally accepted to be Austin's current premier venue for large public and private events. The center holds many diverse events ranging from concerts to wrestling events and private banquets, although its distinctive shape can cause "brutal acoustics" for music events.[4] The Erwin Center also hosts the semifinals and finals of the University Interscholastic League boys' and girls' basketball playoffs in all five classifications. The Erwin Center hosted the United States vs. Spain quarterfinal matches for the 2011 Davis Cup World Group. The Dell Medical Center, a $334 million proposed teaching hospital for the University, has identified the parking lot and Waller Creek area directly across from the Frank Erwin Center as Phase I of construction, with later phases calling for the removal and relocation of the Frank Erwin Center. [5]
References [edit]
- ^ Staff. Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2012. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Walter P Moore - Arenas (archived)
- ^ "University of Texas Facilities". Texas Sports. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
- ^ Gross, Joe. "Review: Bruce Springsteen at the Frank Erwin Center". Austin-American Statesman. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ^ http://www.utexas.edu/news/2013/05/08/dell-medical-school-construction-plans-unveiled/
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Frank Erwin Center |
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