University Arena
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| Location | E. Arena Dr SE @ Avenida Cesar Chavez & University Blvd SE. |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1966 |
| Owner | University of New Mexico |
| Operator | University of New Mexico Associated Students of UNM |
| Construction cost | $1.4 million USD |
| Capacity | Basketball: 18,018 |
| Tenants | |
| New Mexico Lobos | |
University Arena, more commonly known as The Pit, is a basketball only arena in Albuquerque, New Mexico on E Arena Dr SE @ Avenida Cesar Chavez & University Blvd SE with a capacity of 18,018. It serves primarily as the home of the University of New Mexico Lobo basketball teams. The Pit was built in 1966 after the Lobos outgrew their previous venue, Johnson Gymnasium. Many years ago, when Michael Buffer announced a boxing match there, he added "La casa de los Lobos" which means "The house of the wolves" in Spanish.
The Pit is located at the intersection of University Boulevard and Avenida Cesar Chavez in southeast Albuquerque, across the street from University Stadium and Isotopes Park.
Contents |
[edit] Lobo basketball at The Pit
The Pit has a reputation as one of the most hostile arenas in the country. The rise to the stands is very steep, putting fans very close to the action.[1] Basketball writer John Feinstein once likened a visiting team's experience in The Pit to "watching Roman gladiators emerging into a wall of sound."[1]
This often results in painfully high decibel levels. For one game, the noise reached 125 decibels, just short of the threshold of pain.
The Lobo men's basketball team ranked in the top 10 nationally in total attendance every season from the opening of The Pit in 1966 through the 2000-01 season. Although attendance has declined somewhat in recent years, the team has continued to rank in the top 20.[1]
[edit] In The Pit
| The Pit Record | (Enter 2008-2009) |
|---|---|
| The First Game | December 1, 1966 |
| Total Games | 757 |
| All-Time Records | 613-144 |
| Non-Conference Records | 361-67 |
| Conference Records | 251-77 |
| Longest winning streak | 41 (2/10/96 - 2/19/98) |
| Since 2004-2005 Season: | 77-12 |
| Loudest Arena in the Country (1998–1999)[2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arena | Game | Decibel |
| The Pit | New Mexico vs Arizona | 118 |
| Cameron Indoor Stadium | Duke vs North Carolina | 116 |
| Assembly Hall | Indiana vs Purdue | 116 |
| Allen Fieldhouse | Kansas vs Iowa | 115 |
| Dean Smith Center | North Carolina vs Maryland | 112 |
| Pauley Pavilion | UCLA vs Arizona | 112 |
| Tropicana Field | Duke vs UConn (NCAA Final Four) | 112 |
[edit] Tournament site
The Pit hosted the 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament Final Four, which was the scene of a memorable championship game upset by North Carolina State over heavily favored Houston. The video clip of NC State coach Jim Valvano running around the court at the end of the game documents one of the most famous moments in NCAA basketball history and is now a staple of Final Four television coverage.
The Pit hosted Men's NCAA regionals in 1968, 1978, 1985, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2005, making it a common venue for NCAA Tournament games. It also hosted the 1987, 1995, and 1996 Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournaments. And, The NCAA Women's host for the 2003 Regional, 2004 1st and 2nd round, 2006 Regional and 2008 1st and 2nd round.
Men's NCAA Tournament
| Event | The Game | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 West Regional | UCLA 58 New Mexico State 49
Santa Clara 86 New Mexico 58 New Mexico State 62 New Mexico 58 UCLA 87 Santa Clara 66 |
15,345
15,010 |
| 1978 West Regional | Sweet 16th
Arkansas 74 UCLA 70 Cal State Fullerton 75 San Francisco 72 Elite Eight Arkansas 61 Cal State Fullerton 58 |
17,750
|
| 1983 Final Four | Final Four
North Carolina State 67 Georgia 60 Houston 94 Louisville 81 Championship North Carolina State 54 Houston 52 |
17,300
|
| 1985 West First & Second Rounds | First Round
Texas-El Paso 79 Tulsa 75 North Carolina State 65 Nevada 56 Alabama 50 Arizona 41 Virginia Commonwealth 81 Marshall 65 Second Round Alabama 63 Virginia Commonwealth 59 North Carolina 86 Texas-El Paco 73 |
11,932
12, 256 13,833 |
| 1992 West Regional | Sweet sixteen
Indiana 85 Florida State 74 UCLA 85 New Mexico State 78 Elite Eight Indiana 106 UCLA 79 |
15, 914
16,160 |
| 1996 West First & Seconds Rounds | First Round
Syracuse 88 Montana 55 Drexel 75 Memphis 63 Purdue 73 Western Carolina 71 Georgia 81 Clemson 74 Seconds Round Georgia 76 Purdue 69 Syracuse 69 Drexel 58 |
14, 283
14,762 15, 792 |
| 2000 West Regional | Sweet 16
Wisconsin 61 LSU 48 Purdue 75 Gonzaga 66 Elite Eight Wisconsin 64 Purdue 60 |
16,004
16,004 |
| 2002 First and Second Rounds | First Round
Missouri 93 Miami(FL) 80 Ohio State 69 Davidson 64 Wyoming 73 Gonzaga 66 Arizona 86 UC Santa Barbara 81 Second Round Missouri 83 Ohio State 67 Arizona 68 Wyoming 60 |
13,661
15,626 15,867 |
| 2005 Albuquerque Regional | Sweet 16
Louisville 93 Washington 79 West Virginia 65 Texas Tech 60 Elite Eight Louisville 93 West Virginia 85 |
15,792
15,896 |
[edit] Design and construction
The arena's nickname is a reference to its unique subterranean construction. It is literally a large pit, with the arena floor 37 feet (11 m) below grade level. The roof was built first, followed by the excavation of the seating area. The Pit was built at a cost of $1.4 million, which was very low even for the 1960s. The design won international recognition for chief architect Joe Boehning, who still resides in Albuquerque.[2]
By the mid-1970s, the original capacity of 14,831 proved too small for the increasingly popular Lobos. In 1975, a cantilevered deck was added above the original stands, increasing the seating capacity to 17,131. The total capacity of 18,018 includes standing-room tickets.
There are no supporting pillars in the seating area of The Pit, so there are no obstructed views. The compact area and proximity of the seats to the floor contributes to the legendary noise level.
The basketball playing surface was named Bob King Court in 1992, after the coach who brought Lobo basketball to national prominence in the 1960s.
[edit] Renovations
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2008) |
Major renovations to The Pit will have it undergo a massive upgrade and expansion beginning in April 2009 that will include $60 million of improvements. Fans will see new suites, upgraded seating, video boards and a remodeled concourse with the expansion. Teams will also notice a dramatic upgrade in the locker room and staging areas in The Pit.[3] The cost of the project could range from $50–60 million. The University of New Mexico Board of Regents recently gave preliminary approval for a $20–25 million bond. The rest of the funding will come from the state and private sources. Governor Bill Richardson pledged funding for The Pit renovations in January 2006.
As a result, the $60 million arena renovation will include:
- 60,000 square feet of new space
- Doubling the concessions points of sale
- Doubling total number of rest rooms
- Greatly expanding concourse to enhance pedestrian traffic flow
- Extensive glasswork as well as increased ceiling height will allow patrons to take advantage of views including the Sandia Mountains and downtown Albuquerque
- New state-of-the art locker room facilities for both men's and women's basketball teams
- Addition of new weight room and training room dedicated to men's and women's basketball
- Addition of Lettermen's lounge to provide access to UNM Alumni Lettermen from all sports
- Increase technology to enhance the fan experience, including video boards, ribbon boards and digital signage throughout the arena
- Extensive signage and graphics package to highlight the history of Lobo athletics
- Addition of 40 luxury suites and 300 club seats
- New commissary to support improved concessions as well as club and suites
- The Lobo Store will nearly double its current size
- Ticket office will be expanded and relocated
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- ^ Carlton, Jeff (January 19, 2006). "The Pit not scoring as many devotees". The Albuquerque Tribune.
- ^ Wright, Rick (September 19, 1999). "The Pit: Basketball Arena Recognized Far and Wide". The Albuquerque Journal.
- ^ (40th Anniversary The Pit, 2007–2008)
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Johnson Gymnasium |
Home of the New Mexico Lobos 1966 – present |
Succeeded by Current |
| Preceded by Louisiana Superdome |
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Finals Venue 1983 |
Succeeded by Kingdome |
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Coordinates: 35°4′0.97″N 106°37′56.31″W / 35.0669361°N 106.6323083°W
