User:Dgiovag/sandbox/Redbird Arena
Redbird Arena is an arena located in Normal, Illinois, home of the Illinois State Redbirds. It has been labeled as the "the best basketball arena in the state."[1]
| Full name | Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena |
|---|---|
| Location | 232 West College Avenue Normal, IL 61761 |
| Owner | Illinois State University |
| Operator | Illinois State University |
| Capacity | 10,200 |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June, 1985[2] |
| Opened | January 15th, 1989[3] |
| Architect | Caudill Rowlett Scott[2] |
| Structural engineer | Geiger Engineers[2] |
| General contractor | C. Iber & Sons Inc.[2] |
Construction
[edit]The design process for Redbird Arena started in 1984. Construction began in 1985, with it finishing up in 1988. The general contractor for the job was C. Iber & Sons Inc. The architecture firm was CRS Sirrine Inc. (also known as Caudill Rowlett Scott), with award winning Paul Kennon being the senior design principle.[2] [4] It has a seating capacity of 10,200 people, with the furthest distance the the court being only 220 feet away[1] It has a height of 24.34 m, a buidling area of 8100 m^2, and a total floor area of 16,538 m^2[2].
Events
[edit]Basketball and Volleyball
[edit]Redbird Arena is home to the basketball and volleyball teams. The men's basketball team has won the conference tournament 4 times (1983, 1990, 1997, 1998) and has made the NCAA tournament 6 times (1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1997, 1998). Doug Collins is the most famous alumni of the basketball team, as he was the number 1 pick in the 1973 NBA draft. The women's team has won the conference tournament 4 times (1983, 1989, 2005, 2008) and has made the NCAA tournament 4 times ( 1983, 1985, 1989, 2005, 2008).
Gamma Phi Circus
[edit]It is also home to the Gamma Phi Circus, which is the oldest collegiate circus in the United States. It was founded in 1926 when Clifford "Pop" Horton, a gymnastics instructor at Illinois State University, organized a small group of men to perform pyramids and tumble at basketball and football games. It is one of two 4-year universities in the nation that has a circus completely ran by the college itself[5]. The stadium pays homage to the circus in the design on its roof, which looks like the top of a circus tent.
Reggie Redbird
[edit]Reggie Redbird is the official mascot for Illinois State University who attends all of the games at Redbird Arena. He first started showing up in the 1960's and has had 4 design changes for his costume.[6]It wasn't until 1981 that Reggie became known as "Reggie" to his ISU fans, when he was coined "Reggie Redbird" by the Junior Redbird Club after baseball great, Reggie Jackson[7]
Doug Collins
[edit]On Feb. 3, 2007, the court in Redbird Arena was named "Doug Collins Court" after legendary player, coach, Olympian and broadcaster Doug Collins, who started at Illinois State from 1971-73. It is known as "Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena."[1] On September 19th, 2009, a bronze statue of Doug Collins and his coach, Will Robinson, was unveiled in front of the stadium.[8] The statue, which was sculpted by Lou Cella, a 1985 alumnus of Illinois State, was created at the Rotblatt-Amrany Fine Art Studio in Highwood, Ill. [9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c http://goredbirds.com/sports/2014/5/12/Facilty_redbird_arena.aspx?path=facilty
- ^ a b c d e f http://structurae.net/structures/redbird-arena
- ^ http://www.1990redbirds.com/?cat=4
- ^ http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-01-15/news/9001040547_1_progressive-architecture-austin-center-texas-medical-center
- ^ http://gammaphicircus.illinoisstate.edu/historyheritage/
- ^ http://goredbirds.com/sports/2014/4/17/his_trad_reggie.aspx?
- ^ http://goredbirds.com/sports/2014/4/17/his_trad_reggie.aspx?
- ^ http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/statue-of-isu-men-s-basketball-legends-collins-robinson-unveiled/article_50a3b5fa-a58a-11de-9187-001cc4c002e0.html
- ^ http://goredbirds.com/sports/2014/4/17/his_trad_robinson_collins.aspx?path=history_trad