Patriot Center
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This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2009) |
| Patriot Center | |
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| Location | 4500 Patriot Circle Fairfax, VA 22030 |
| Coordinates | 38°49′37″N 77°18′35″W / 38.82694°N 77.30972°WCoordinates: 38°49′37″N 77°18′35″W / 38.82694°N 77.30972°W |
| Broke ground | 1982 |
| Opened | October 4, 1985[1] |
| Owner | George Mason University |
| Operator | Monumental Sports & Entertainment |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction cost | $16 million[2] ($34.6 million in 2012 dollars[3]) |
| Architect | HOK Sport Mosley Architects |
| Capacity | Basketball: 10,000 |
| Tenants | |
| George Mason Patriots Washington Commandos (AFL) (1989) |
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The Patriot Center is a 10,000-seat arena in Fairfax, Virginia. It is located on the campus of George Mason University (which has over 30,000 students), and has attracted 9.6 million people to over 2,958 events. In 2010, the Patriot Center was ranked No. 7 nationwide and No. 12 worldwide according to ticket sales for venues with capacities between 10,001 and 15,000 by trade publication Venues Today. Also in 2010, the Patriot Center was ranked No. 8 nationwide and No. 18 worldwide according to top grossing venues with a capacity between 10,001 and 15,000 by Billboard magazine. The Patriot Center opened on October 4, 1985, when the New York Knicks played the Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards ) in a pre-season game. The arena is home to the George Mason University basketball teams, as well as concerts and family shows, with the 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2) of space. The Patriot Center is the first university venue to be managed by a private company, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, who also owns and manages Verizon Center in Washington D.C. In 1986, the Patriot Center hosted the first men’s CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) Tournament and hosted its first women’s CAA Tournament in 2005. In 1990, the Patriot Center held the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championships. The Patriots have amassed an overall record of 220–92 at the Patriot Center. The Patriots are also 85–10 in the Patriot Center against Colonial Athletic Association opponents. During the 2010–2011 men's NCAA basketball season, the Patriots amassed a perfect 13–0 home record, which was the second time that occurred in three seasons.
The arena has recently undergone a $10 million renovation, which added new concession stands, new hospitality area, new locker rooms and bathrooms, and an improved main concourse. This year[when?], GMU men’s basketball team set an attendance record against Old Dominion University on homecoming, which then was reached again against James Madison University; both games were won by double digits. The Patriot Center also graduates many of Northern Virginia's high schools.
The Patriot Center hosted the sold-out UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz on January 11, 2010. That was the first time that the UFC had staged an event in the state of Virginia.[4]
On February 4th, 2012, the Patriot Center debuted a new center court scoreboard against conference rival Old Dominion University.
[edit] Records
Men's Basketball Game - 9,900 on February 4, 2012 vs Old Dominion University
Concert - Phish - 10,356
Grossing Concert - Bruce Springsteen in 2005, $573,885
Grossing Family Show - The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus in 2009, $1.86 million
[edit] References
- ^ "Knicks Lose in Ewing's Debut". Gainesville Sun. October 5, 1985. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yCURAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6909,1551027&dq=en. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
- ^ George Mason Timeline
- ^ Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2008. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 20 targeted for Jan. 11 in Virginia, Spike TV to broadcast (Updated)". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. http://mmajunkie.com/news/16502/ufc-fight-night-20-targeted-for-jan-11-in-virginia-spike-tv-to-broadcast.mma. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
[edit] External links
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