Amanda Knapp
Tennessee is home to the Thompson-Boling Arena, a multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The arena, which opened in 1987, is home to the Tennessee Volunteers (men) and Lady Vols (women) basketball teams. With a seating capacity of over 24,000, it is one of the largest on-campus basketball arenas in the country. The arena has undergone renovations over the years, including the addition of suites and VIP seating, and is also used for concerts and other events. So, while Tennessee may have multiple basketball courts within the state, the Thompson-Boling Arena is recognised as the primary basketball arena.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Arena | Thompson–Boling Arena at Food City Center |
| Location | Campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Year of Opening | 1987 |
| Home Teams | Tennessee Volunteers (men), Lady Vols (women) basketball teams, Lady Vols volleyball team |
| Seating Capacity | 21,678 (as of 2007) |
| Sections | Upper and Lower levels, serviced by one concourse |
| Features | 8 restrooms, 6 concession stands, black chairback seating, 166 leather loge seats, 32 suites on the north side |
| Court Name | The Summitt, named after Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt |
| Funding | UT ($13 million), Knox County ($10 million), State of Tennessee ($7 million), and private gifts ($10 million from B. Ray Thompson) |
| Size | 514,130 square feet |
| Construction Cost | $36 million |
| Construction Companies | B. B. Anderson Construction Company of Topeka, Kansas (original), Ray Bell Construction Company of Nashville (completed the project) |
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What You'll Learn
Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena
Thompson-Boling Arena is home to both the University of Tennessee men's and women's basketball teams, with the former enjoying an impressive 16-0 record during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons. The arena has a rich history, including a memorable moment on February 5, 2009, when the Lady Vols defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 73-43, giving Coach Pat Summitt her 1,000th win. The arena has a seating capacity of over 24,000, making it one of the largest on-campus basketball facilities in the nation.
The venue underwent renovations in 2007, which reduced the seating capacity to 21,678 to accommodate box and VIP seating. The arena features two levels, upper and lower, both serviced by a single concourse. The concourse boasts eight restrooms and six concession stands, while the seating areas offer a mix of black chairback seats and leather loge seats. The upper level also includes suites, adding to the comfort and experience of spectators.
In addition to basketball, the arena is utilised for other events such as volleyball, large concerts, commencements, circuses, tractor pulls, and rodeos. With its impressive size and versatility, Thompson-Boling Arena is a premier college basketball facility that has contributed to the proud sporting history of Tennessee.
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The Summitt basketball court
The Summitt, formerly known as the Thompson–Boling Arena, is a basketball court at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. The arena, which opened in 1987, is named after B. Ray Thompson and former university president Edward J. Boling. The basketball court, on the other hand, is named "The Summitt" in honour of the late Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt. The court replaced the Stokely Athletic Center.
The mammoth octagonal building is located just northwest of the Tennessee River and southwest of Neyland Stadium. The baselines of the court feature a distinctive orange-and-white checkerboard pattern, echoing the design of the neighbouring Ayres Hall. In terms of seating capacity, the Thompson-Boling Arena was once the largest facility built specifically for basketball in the United States. The arena has an upper and lower level, with black chairback seating. The lower level includes the student section and 166 loge seats, which are separated into seven sections, each equipped with a flat-screen TV. The upper level boasts 32 suites, added during the 2007 renovation.
The Thompson-Boling Arena is home to both the Tennessee Volunteers men's team and the Lady Vols women's team. In addition to basketball, the arena has hosted a range of events, including volleyball matches, concerts, commencements, circuses, tractor pulls, and rodeos. The facility has undergone several upgrades over the years, including a renovation in 2007 to add VIP seating, reducing the overall capacity. The original contractor, B. B. Anderson Construction Company, faced delays and legal issues, leading to the project's completion by Ray Bell Construction Company.
The Summitt has been the site of many memorable basketball games, including the opening doubleheader in 1987, where the men's team defeated Marquette 82-56, and the Lady Vols won against Stetson with a score of 102-59. The arena has a rich history and continues to be a premier basketball facility, providing a top-notch game-day experience for both players and fans.
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Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Vols
The Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Vols are the men's and women's basketball teams, respectively, of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. The teams share an arena, the Thompson–Boling Arena at Food City Center, which opened in 1987. It is a multi-purpose arena with a capacity of over 24,000 fans when it first opened. In 2007, the arena underwent renovations, reducing the capacity to 21,678, the third-highest capacity for an on-campus arena. The basketball court is named "The Summitt" after the late Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt, who led the team for over four decades.
The Tennessee Volunteers, also known as the Vols, is a reference to a nickname that Tennessee received during the War of 1812, "The Volunteer State." This name also reflects the Tennessee volunteers who fought in the 1836 War for Texas's Independence from Mexico and the Mexican-American War of 1846, where over 30,000 Tennesseans volunteered. The men's basketball team has had notable players who went on to the NBA, including Allan Houston and Bernard King. More recently, in the 2014 NBA Draft, two Volunteers players, Jarnell Stokes and Jordan McCrae, were selected.
The Lady Vols have been a dominant force in women's college basketball, having won eight NCAA Division I titles (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007, and 2008). They have appeared in 18 NCAA Final Fours and won eight national championships. The team has been coached by some of the most successful coaches in NCAA history, including Pat Summitt and Kellie Harper, who played for Summitt. Under Summitt, the Lady Vols boasted a 100% graduation rate for all players who completed their careers at the University of Tennessee. The Lady Vols have produced notable players such as Candace Parker, who went on to be the first pick in the 2008 WNBA draft.
In addition to basketball, the Thompson–Boling Arena has hosted various events, including large concerts, commencements, circuses, tractor pulls, and rodeos. The arena is known for its unique wall of suites and its orange-and-white checkerboard pattern on the baselines of the court, paying tribute to the university's colours. The University of Tennessee has continuously invested in upgrading the arena and its surrounding campus, ensuring a modern experience for its students and athletes.
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Arena funding and donors
Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena, located on the University of Tennessee's Knoxville campus, is a multi-purpose basketball arena that opened in 1987. It is home to the Tennessee Volunteers (men) and Lady Vols (women) basketball teams, as well as the Lady Vols volleyball team.
The $36 million Thompson-Boling Arena was funded by the University of Tennessee (UT), Knox County, and the State of Tennessee. UT contributed $13 million, with $10 million of that coming from private gifts. The largest private contribution came from B. Ray Thompson, a coal businessman. Knox County contributed $10 million through an increase in the amusement tax, and the State of Tennessee provided $7 million.
The arena is named after B. Ray Thompson and former university president Edward J. Boling, honouring the major private donor and, at Thompson's request, the retiring president of UT.
Renovations to the arena have also been funded through donations and revenue from new premium seating areas. The Larry Pratt Basketball Locker Room Complex, for example, cost $5 million and was funded entirely through private gifts, with lead donor Larry Pratt contributing $2 million. Other leadership gifts and revenue from premium seating areas such as the north luxury suites and loge seats have also contributed to funding renovation projects.
The University of Tennessee Athletics Department unveiled a $35 million two-phase renovation project for the facility, marking the first major renovation in its history. Phase I included new seats, a centre-hung scoreboard, concourse refurbishments, and new luxury suites and loge seating, which were a primary funding source for the renovations.
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Arena seating and capacity
Tennessee is home to the Thompson-Boling Arena, a multi-purpose basketball arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The arena opened in 1987 and is home to the Tennessee Volunteers (men) and Lady Vols (women) basketball teams. It also hosts the Lady Vols volleyball team.
The Thompson-Boling Arena was built as the largest on-campus, single-sport arena in the country, with a seating capacity of over 24,000 when it first opened. In 2007, the arena underwent renovations that reduced its capacity to 21,678, making it the third-highest capacity for an on-campus arena. The building is split into upper and lower levels, serviced by a single concourse. The lower level features the student section, with the rest of the seating comprising black chairback seats. The lower level also includes 166 loge seats, which are leather and separated into seven sections, each with a flat-screen TV. The upper level has 32 suites on the north side, which were added during the 2007 renovation.
The arena's basketball court, named "The Summitt" in honour of the late Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt, features a distinctive orange-and-white checkerboard pattern on the baselines. The arena is named after B. Ray Thompson and former university president Edward J. Boling, with the former being the major private donor. The facility cost $36 million to construct and covers 514,130 square feet.
In addition to basketball, the Thompson-Boling Arena hosts various other events, including concerts, commencements, circuses, tractor pulls, and rodeos.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tennessee has two basketball arenas. The Thompson–Boling Arena at Food City Center is a multi-purpose basketball arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is home to the Tennessee Volunteers (men) and Lady Vols (women) basketball teams.
The Thompson-Boling Arena opened in 1987 on the banks of the Tennessee River.
When it first opened, the arena held over 24,000 fans. After a renovation in 2007, the capacity was reduced to 21,678, making it the third-highest capacity for an on-campus arena.
The basketball court inside the Thompson-Boling Arena is named "The Summitt" after the late Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt.
Some people refer to the arena simply as "TBA" or "Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center", recognising its location within the Food City Center.
