Omaha Civic Auditorium

Omaha Civic Auditorium
	;
Location	1804 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Coordinates	41°15′42″N 95°56′24″W / 41.26167°N 95.94000°W
Owner	City of Omaha
Operator	Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA)
Capacity	Concerts: 10,960; Basketball: 9,300
Surface	multi-surface
Construction
Opened	1954
Closed	June 2014
Demolished	TBA
Tenants
	Creighton Bluejays men's basketball (NCAA) (1955–2003); Kansas City-Omaha Kings (NBA) (1972–1975); Omaha Mavericks (CCHA) (1997–2003); Omaha Beef (IFL) (2000–2012); Creighton Bluejays women's basketball and volleyball (NCAA) (2003–2009); Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL) (2005–2007); Omaha Lancers (USHL) (2009–2012); Omaha Vipers (MISL) (2010–2011); Omaha Mavericks (NCC) (2011–2012)

Omaha Civic Auditorium was a multi-purpose convention center located in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1954, it surpassed the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum as the largest convention/entertainment complex in the city, until the completion of CenturyLink Center Omaha in 2003. With the opening of the Ralston Arena in 2012, all teams that played at the Civic Auditorium moved, which reduced the venue's viability. The auditorium closed its doors in June 2014.

Facilities

Arena

The Civic Auditorium arena seated up to 9,300 people for sporting events and up to 10,960 for concerts.

In the past, the arena was home to the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team, the Creighton women's basketball and volleyball teams, and the University of Nebraska Omaha hockey team, and the Kansas City-Omaha Kings NBA basketball team.

The arena was the site of the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament title game in 1978 and 1981. It was also the site of the seventh WWF In Your House pay-per-view in 1996. Billy Graham's Nebraska Crusade took place at the arena in 1964.

One of Elvis Presley's Final Concerts

One of Elvis Presley's final concerts was held at the Civic Auditorium on June 19, 1977. The concert was filmed for a CBS TV special: Elvis in Concert. Elvis wore the Mexican Sundial suit in concert.^[1]

"You're no Jack Kennedy"

A memorable event at the Civic Auditorium was the 1988 U.S. vice-presidential debate between Democrat Lloyd Bentsen and Republican Dan Quayle. The debate produced one of the most famous quotes in American political history.

Quayle, then a U.S. Senator from Indiana, had been a relative political unknown and reporters covering the campaign wondered if he would make a suitable president if something were to have happened to George H. W. Bush, who selected him as his running mate. In response to a question, Quayle pointed out that he had as much experience in the Senate as John F. Kennedy had prior to being elected President of the United States in 1960. To which, Bentsen, a Senate veteran from Texas, responded: "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

Omaha Civic Auditorium Music Hall

The Omaha Civic Auditorium Music Hall, located on the east side of Omaha Civic Auditorium, was used for concerts, Broadway shows and other events. It seated 2,453 and was known for its intimate yet casual atmosphere.

Exhibit Hall

The Civic Auditorium exhibit hall features 43,400 square feet (4,000 m²) of space for conventions and trade shows.

Mancuso Hall

Mancuso Hall is a large-events venue used for parties, trade shows, concerts, banquets, and conventions, among other events. 25,000 square feet (2300 m²) of space, Mancuso Hall seats 2,500 for concerts and 1,500 for banquets.

Demolition

The Omaha City Council recently approved a bid for the demolition of the Auditorium. Asbestos removal began in February 2016, with final demolition expected to be completed by September 2017.^[2]

References

^ [1]
^ Christopher Burbach (2016-02-02). "After concerns resolved, Omaha City Council OKs Illinois firm's $3.1M contract to demolish Civic Auditorium". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2016-02-02.

Events and tenants
Preceded by None	Home of the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 2005 – 07	Succeeded by iWireless Center
Preceded by Cincinnati Gardens	Home of the Kansas City-Omaha Kings (with Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City) 1972 – 75	Succeeded by Kemper Arena

[1] [1]

[2] Christopher Burbach (2016-02-02). "After concerns resolved, Omaha City Council OKs Illinois firm's $3.1M contract to demolish Civic Auditorium". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2016-02-02.

[1]

[2]

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v t e Music venues of Nebraska
Outdoor venues	TD Ameritrade Park Omaha Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater
Theaters and clubs	Holland Performing Arts Center Lied Center for Performing Arts Orpheum Theater Slowdown Admiral Theatre (Omaha) Zoo Bar
Arenas	CHI Health Center Omaha Omaha Civic Auditorium Pinnacle Bank Arena Viaero Event Center Baxter Arena Liberty First Credit Union Arena
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Historic venues	Ak-Sar-Ben Cog Factory Jewell Building Peony Park Pershing Center

v t e Creighton Bluejays men's basketball
Venues	University Gym (1916–1960) Omaha Civic Auditorium (1960–2003) CHI Health Center Omaha (2003–present)
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v t e Omaha Mavericks men's ice hockey
Playing venues	Omaha Civic Auditorium (1997–2003) CenturyLink Center Omaha (2003–2015) Baxter Arena (2015–present)
Head coaches	Mike Kemp (1997–2009) Dean Blais (2009–2017) Mike Gabinet (2017–present)
Seasons	1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Conference affiliations	CCHA (1999–2010) WCHA (2010–2013) NCHC (2013–Present)
All-time leaders	Scott Parse (197 Points) Scott Parse (79 Goals) John Faulkner (54 Wins)
Frozen Four appearances	2015
NCAA Tournament appearances	2006 2011 2015 2021 2024
University of Nebraska Omaha Omaha, Nebraska