Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center: Difference between revisions
The Van Loo incident was an important moment in the history of the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center. |
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Played host to various sporting events, including [[boxing]], [[professional wrestling]] and races while it was active. The former Convention center served as word-class entertainment during the past Festival of Lights and throughout the year. Acts included but were not limited to [[Victor Borge]], [[Grand Ole Opry]] Stars, [[Anne Murray]], [[Andy Williams]], and [[Jim Nabors]]. It was also home of the Niagara University Purple Eagles NCAA men's basketball team. |
Played host to various sporting events, including [[boxing]], [[professional wrestling]] and races while it was active. The former Convention center served as word-class entertainment during the past Festival of Lights and throughout the year. Acts included but were not limited to [[Victor Borge]], [[Grand Ole Opry]] Stars, [[Anne Murray]], [[Andy Williams]], and [[Jim Nabors]]. It was also home of the Niagara University Purple Eagles NCAA men's basketball team. |
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In 1992, the USHRA Monster Jam Circuit had a show at the center. During a race between Taurus and [[Bad Medicine]], [[Bad Medicine]]'s driver, Don Van Loo, had a bad landing off the set of cars. He smashed his head against the rollbar and was knocked out. The truck was still moving at the time, and preceded to maneuver out of control and crashed into the stands, killing 82-year old Lester Gilliam. Gilliam could have saved himself, but instead pushed a young child out of harm's way, sacrificing himself. Van Loo was not new to being knocked out during a run: 1 year ago, in Oklahoma City, when the truck was making it's debut, Van Loo's truck leaped into the air and took a bad bounce. The impact knocked him out. His foot accidentaly fell on to the throttle, which sent the truck ramming into the wall. |
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It was closed in 2002 and converted into what is now the [[Seneca Niagara Casino]]. |
It was closed in 2002 and converted into what is now the [[Seneca Niagara Casino]]. |
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Revision as of 02:39, 23 December 2008
Indoor multi-purpose venue formerly located in Niagara Falls, New York with a capacity of 10,000.
Played host to various sporting events, including boxing, professional wrestling and races while it was active. The former Convention center served as word-class entertainment during the past Festival of Lights and throughout the year. Acts included but were not limited to Victor Borge, Grand Ole Opry Stars, Anne Murray, Andy Williams, and Jim Nabors. It was also home of the Niagara University Purple Eagles NCAA men's basketball team.
In 1992, the USHRA Monster Jam Circuit had a show at the center. During a race between Taurus and Bad Medicine, Bad Medicine's driver, Don Van Loo, had a bad landing off the set of cars. He smashed his head against the rollbar and was knocked out. The truck was still moving at the time, and preceded to maneuver out of control and crashed into the stands, killing 82-year old Lester Gilliam. Gilliam could have saved himself, but instead pushed a young child out of harm's way, sacrificing himself. Van Loo was not new to being knocked out during a run: 1 year ago, in Oklahoma City, when the truck was making it's debut, Van Loo's truck leaped into the air and took a bad bounce. The impact knocked him out. His foot accidentaly fell on to the throttle, which sent the truck ramming into the wall.
It was closed in 2002 and converted into what is now the Seneca Niagara Casino.
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