Andrew Pace
The McCarthey Athletic Center, also known as The Kennel, is the home of Gonzaga University's Bulldog basketball teams. The arena, which was completed in 2004, has a capacity of 6,000 seats and is located in Spokane, Washington. The Gonzaga Bulldogs have enjoyed great success in their arena, with a 41-game home winning streak that was snapped in 2015 by BYU. The arena has also played host to several concerts and is considered one of the best places to play college basketball in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC) |
| Location | Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington |
| Capacity | 6,000 seats |
| Construction Cost | $25 million |
| Construction Time | 20 months |
| Opened | November 2004 |
| Court Elevation | 1,900 feet (580 meters) above sea level |
| Notable Features | Home to the Gonzaga Bulldogs, nicknamed "The Kennel"; known as one of the best venues for college basketball in the US |
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What You'll Learn
The McCarthey Athletic Center is Gonzaga's basketball arena
The McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC) is Gonzaga University's basketball arena. Located in Spokane, Washington, the 6,000-seat indoor arena was completed in 20 months and opened in November 2004. The $25 million facility was made possible through donations, including a lead gift from alumni Phil, Tom, Maureen, and Sarah McCarthey and their families. The arena is named after Gonzaga trustee Philip G. McCarthey and Gonzaga regent Thomas K. McCarthey, both of whom are alumni and former owners of The Salt Lake Tribune.
The McCarthey Athletic Center replaced the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which had been the home of Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball for over 39 years. The Martin Centre could accommodate up to 4,000 people after a remodel in 1986. With Gonzaga's men's basketball team reaching the NCAA spotlight in the mid-1990s and growing its fan base, the university sought a larger venue. Construction on the new arena began in April 2003, with the goal of completing it by October 2004, in time for the 2004-2005 basketball season.
The McCarthey Athletic Center has become a premier place to play college basketball and is often praised by broadcasters and coaches alike. It has hosted notable basketball games, including the WCC tournament in 2006, and has been the site of impressive winning streaks for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The arena has also served as a venue for concerts by popular artists such as Switchfoot, Yellowcard, and Death Cab for Cutie.
The design and construction of the McCarthey Athletic Center posed several challenges due to the limited space available on the site. The exterior of the arena features a brick and concrete block design, and the interior required extensive masonry work, utilising 63,000 bricks and 72,000 concrete masonry blocks. The elevation of the court inside the arena is approximately 1,900 feet (580 m) above sea level.
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The arena has 6,000 seats
Gonzaga University's basketball arena, the McCarthey Athletic Center, has 6,000 seats. The arena, located in Spokane, Washington, is home to the university's Bulldog basketball team. The Bulldogs previously played in the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which could accommodate up to 4,000 people. However, after the team's success in the 1990s and their annual trips to the NCAA tournament, it became evident that a larger venue was necessary to accommodate the growing fan base.
The construction of the new arena began in April 2003 and was completed in just 20 months, in time for the 2004-2005 basketball season. The McCarthey Athletic Center is a $25 million facility made possible by lead gifts from alumni Phil, Tom, Maureen, and Sarah McCarthey and their families, as well as contributions from many other donors. The arena's design-build process involved significant interior masonry work, utilising 63,000 bricks and 72,000 concrete masonry blocks.
The McCarthey Athletic Center, also known simply as "The Kennel," has become a premier place to play college basketball. It has hosted notable basketball games, including the WCC tournament in 2006, and has been the site of impressive winning streaks for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The arena has also served as a venue for concerts by popular artists such as Switchfoot, Yellowcard, and Death Cab for Cutie.
The McCarthey Athletic Center has enhanced the game-day experience for fans and players alike. With its prime seating and energetic atmosphere, it has become a notable college basketball venue, often cited by ESPN and CBS broadcasters. The arena's design and capacity have contributed to its reputation as an exceptional venue for college basketball in the United States.
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It was completed in 20 months
The McCarthey Athletic Center, home to the Gonzaga University Bulldogs, is an impressive arena with a swift construction timeline. With a capacity of 6,000, this basketball arena was completed in just 20 months, an impressive feat for a venue of its size and stature. Breaking ground in 2004, the construction process was a well-coordinated effort, with efficient planning and execution, allowing the venue to open its doors ahead of the 2005-2006 basketball season.
The rapid construction timeline can be attributed to several factors, including a dedicated team of architects, engineers, and construction workers, as well as efficient project management. The general contractor, Hoffman Construction, is renowned for its work on sports facilities, ensuring that the project benefited from their expertise and experience. The project also had the full support of the university and its donors, ensuring that funding and resources were readily available, allowing construction to proceed without delay.
The arena's design is also noteworthy, with a focus on functionality and fan experience. The McCarthey Athletic Center features a single bowl configuration, optimizing lines of sight and creating an intimate atmosphere. This design choice not only enhances the fan experience but also simplifies construction, as it allows for more efficient seating arrangement and structural engineering. Additionally, the use of pre-fabricated components and modern construction techniques further accelerated the building process.
To meet the tight 20-month deadline, construction took place year-round, with workers braving the cold Spokane winters. The project required close coordination between various trades, from concrete and steelworkers to electrical and plumbing installers. The efficient management of this complex process is a testament to the expertise and dedication of all involved. Despite the challenges, the construction proceeded smoothly, and the arena was delivered on time and within budget.
The speedy construction of the McCarthey Athletic Center is a remarkable achievement, made possible by the combination of efficient planning, experienced contractors, and specialized construction techniques. The result is a world-class basketball arena that has become a beloved home court for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, providing an exceptional game-day experience for players and fans alike. This feat showcases the potential of well-managed construction projects and stands as a testament to what can be achieved within a tight timeframe.
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The arena cost $25 million to build
Gonzaga University's basketball arena, the McCarthey Athletic Center, cost $25 million to build. Construction began in April 2003 on the site of the baseball venue, Pecarovich Field, and was completed in just 20 months, opening in November 2004. The project was made possible by a lead gift from alumni Phil, Tom, Maureen and Sarah McCarthey and their families, as well as donations from many others.
The McCarthey Athletic Center is a 6,000-seat indoor arena, with a court elevation of approximately 1,900 feet (580 m) above sea level. It is located on the Gonzaga University campus in Spokane, Washington, and is home to the university's Bulldog basketball programs, members of the West Coast Conference (WCC) in Division I of the NCAA.
The arena features a brick and concrete block exterior, with extensive interior masonry work. In total, the project required 63,000 bricks and 72,000 concrete masonry blocks. The site presented several challenges, including limited space and a definitive deadline, as the arena had to be completed by October 2004, in time for the first game of the 2004-2005 basketball season.
The McCarthey Athletic Center has become a premier venue for college basketball, known for its impressive design and the passionate home crowd. The arena has also hosted events beyond basketball, including concerts by popular artists such as Switchfoot, Yellowcard, and Death Cab for Cutie.
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It has a 50-game winning streak, the longest in the NCAA
The McCarthey Athletic Center is a 6,000-seat arena that serves as the home of the Gonzaga University Bulldogs basketball team. The Bulldogs have enjoyed considerable success in recent years, establishing themselves as a major basketball powerhouse. They have appeared in numerous NCAA tournaments and consistently ranked highly in polls.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team has a rich history dating back to its first official coach, Varnell, in the 1908-09 season. Over the years, the team has achieved notable winning streaks and competed in several notable games. One of their most impressive feats was a 50-game winning streak that stood as the longest in the NCAA at the time. This streak included 12 wins at the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which preceded the McCarthey Athletic Center and could accommodate 4,000 spectators.
The 50-game winning streak began in the 1990s, a period when the Bulldogs compiled a record of 628-531. During this era, they claimed regular-season titles in 1965-66 and 1966-67 under coach Hank Anderson and later in 1993-94 under Dan Fitzgerald. The Bulldogs' success continued into the 21st century, with the team appearing in every NCAA tournament since 1999 and reaching the Elite Eight in that same year.
The Bulldogs' 50-game winning streak was a remarkable achievement, showcasing their dominance in college basketball at the time. This streak contributed to their legacy of success and helped establish them as a force to be reckoned with in the sport. The team has consistently demonstrated their prowess on the court, and their winning streaks have been a testament to their skill, strategy, and dedication to the game.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team has continued to thrive, cultivating a strong rivalry with Saint Mary's and consistently ranking among the top teams in their conference. Their home arena, the McCarthey Athletic Center, has been described as "the nicest venue to play college basketball in the United States" by their coach, Mark Few. The team's success has been built on a strong foundation, with their winning streaks serving as milestones in their journey to becoming a prominent force in college basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The McCarthey Athletic Center, home to Gonzaga's basketball team, is a 6,000-seat indoor arena.
The current capacity of 6,000 is double that of the previous arena, the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which could hold up to 3,000 people. Before that, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Pavilion had a capacity of 3,800.
Construction of the McCarthey Athletic Center began in April 2003, and it opened in November 2004.
