
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (LJVM Coliseum) is a 14,665-seat multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and home to the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons men's and women's basketball teams. The arena, which opened in 1989, replaced the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum, which had a capacity of 8,200. The LJVM Coliseum has hosted several notable basketball games, including the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship and the MEAC men's basketball tournament. The complex features a four-level, 88,000 sq. ft. facility that houses the university's basketball and football operations, with innovative training amenities and video-equipped meeting rooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (LJVM Coliseum) |
| Location | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| Capacity | 14,665 seats |
| Purpose | Multi-purpose arena, home to Wake Forest University Demon Deacons men's and women's basketball teams |
| Construction | Began on April 23, 1987, and opened on August 28, 1989 |
| Parquet Floor | Featured for basketball games |
| Notable Events | NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament, Frank Spencer Holiday Classic basketball tournament, NCHSAA Western Regional Basketball Tournaments, CIAA basketball tournament |
| Previous Venue | Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum (capacity of 8,200) |
| Training Facility | The university's basketball operations are housed in a four-level, 88,000 sq. ft. facility with a full-size indoor practice field |
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What You'll Learn

Stadium capacity: 14,665 seats
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (LJVM Coliseum, Joel Coliseum or The Joel) is a 14,665-seat multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Construction on the arena began on April 23, 1987, and it opened on August 28, 1989. The LJVM Coliseum replaced the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum, which had a capacity of 8,200.
The LJVM Coliseum is home to the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons men's and women's basketball teams. The arena has a parquet floor for basketball games and hosts other events such as the Frank Spencer Holiday Classic basketball tournament, an annual event for high school basketball teams in the area. The LJVM has also hosted the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Western Regional Basketball Tournaments since 2003 and was the site of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournament from 1994 to 1999.
The LJVM Coliseum has hosted several notable basketball games, including the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship four times (1993, 1997, 2000, and 2007). During the 1997 tournament, North Carolina coach Dean Smith won his 877th game, surpassing Kentucky's Adolph Rupp as the winningest college basketball coach in history. The Harlem Globetrotters have also played at the LJVM Coliseum.
The basketball facilities at Wake Forest University include the Dr. Caryl Guth Women's Basketball Clubhouse and Chris Paul Family Men's Basketball Clubhouse, which offer improved locker rooms, player lounges, recovery areas, and other amenities. The university also has a four-level, 88,000 sq. ft. indoor practice facility that houses the football and basketball operations, providing a year-round training space for student-athletes.
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Multi-purpose arena
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (also known as LJVM Coliseum, Joel Coliseum or The Joel) is a 14,665-seat multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Construction on the arena began on April 23, 1987, and it opened on August 28, 1989. The memorial was designed by James Ford in New York and includes the poem "The Fallen" engraved on an interior wall. The coliseum is home to the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons men's and women's basketball teams and is adjacent to the Carolina Classic Fairgrounds. The arena replaced the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum, which had a capacity of 8,200 and has since been replaced by a parking lot.
The LJVM Coliseum has a parquet floor for basketball games and hosts the annual Frank Spencer Holiday Classic basketball tournament for high school basketball teams in the area. Since 2003, the LJVM has hosted the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Western Regional Basketball Tournaments. The LJVM was also the site of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournament from 1994 to 1999. The first and second rounds of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship have been held at the Coliseum four times (1993, 1997, 2000, and 2007). It also hosted the MEAC men's basketball tournament from 2009 to 2012.
In addition to basketball, the LJVM Coliseum has hosted other sporting events such as hockey games and the Harlem Globetrotters. The arena also has multi-purpose functionality with video-equipped meeting rooms, making it a community hub for Wake Forest athletics. The complex features a four-level, 88,000 sq. ft. facility that houses the university's football and basketball operations, with innovative strength and training amenities.
Wake Forest University also has other athletic facilities such as the Shah Basketball Complex, which is designed to be a dual athletic and academic facility. The space offers a community-centred spot for athletes to train, study, recover and connect. The indoor practice facility features a full 120-yard football field and provides a space for Wake Forest student-athletes to train year-round.
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History of the stadium
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (LJVM Coliseum, Joel Coliseum or The Joel) is a 14,665-seat multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Construction on the arena began on April 23, 1987, and it opened in 1989. The memorial was designed by James Ford in New York and includes the poem "The Fallen" engraved on an interior wall.
The stadium is home to the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons men's basketball and women's basketball teams and is adjacent to the Carolina Classic Fairgrounds. The arena replaced the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum, which was torn down to make way for the LJVM Coliseum. The stadium is primarily used for basketball games and has featured a parquet floor for these games since its opening.
Before moving to Winston-Salem, the Wake Forest University basketball teams played at Groves Stadium in the town of Wake Forest. The Deacs continued to play at Groves Stadium when they first moved to Winston-Salem. Before Groves Stadium was built, the teams played at Bowman Gray Stadium. Charles H. Babcock donated 77 acres of land for the construction of Groves Stadium, which began in 1967.
Since its opening, the LJVM Coliseum has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment. It has also hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships four times (1993, 1997, 2000, and 2007). The Harlem Globetrotters have also played at the stadium.
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Previous stadiums
The current stadium for the Wake Forest University men's and women's basketball teams is the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (LJVM Coliseum, or The Joel), a 14,665-seat multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The stadium was constructed in 1987 and opened in 1989, replacing the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum, which was torn down.
Before the LJVM Coliseum, the Wake Forest basketball teams played at the 8,200-seat Memorial Coliseum, starting in 1959. In 1982, they moved the bulk of their ACC schedule to the larger Greensboro Coliseum, as well as other games that could not be accommodated at the Memorial Coliseum.
When Wake Forest University was in the town of Wake Forest, the basketball teams played at Groves Stadium. When the decision to move to Winston-Salem was announced, Henry and Earl Groves made financial commitments to the College to ensure their name survived the move to the new stadium. Before Groves Stadium was built, the teams played at Bowman Gray Stadium.
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Other notable games
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (LJVM Coliseum, or simply The Joel) is a 14,665-seat multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It has been the home of Wake Forest Demon Deacons basketball since it opened in 1989, hosting some of the biggest names in entertainment. Here are some notable games and events held at the LJVM Coliseum:
NCAA Tournament Games
The LJVM Coliseum has hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship four times (1993, 1997, 2000, and 2007). In a memorable game on March 15, 1997, North Carolina gave head coach Dean Smith his 877th victory, making him the winningest college basketball coach in history at the time. Another thrilling game occurred on March 17, 2000, when Florida needed a buzzer-beater to defeat Butler in overtime, starting a five-game winning streak.
CIAA Basketball Tournament
From 1994 to 1999, the LJVM Coliseum served as the site of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournament, attracting basketball enthusiasts and showcasing the talent of the participating teams and players.
NCHSAA Western Regional Basketball Tournaments
Since 2003, the LJVM Coliseum has been the venue for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Western Regional Basketball Tournaments, fostering young basketball talent and providing a platform for high school basketball teams to compete.
Frank Spencer Holiday Classic
The LJVM Coliseum has also been the venue for the Frank Spencer Holiday Classic, an annual basketball tournament for high school teams in the area, further emphasizing its role in promoting basketball at various levels.
Entertainment and Concerts
The LJVM Coliseum has hosted numerous renowned artists and entertainment acts. Elton John, Phish, Widespread Panic, and Tina Turner have all graced the stage multiple times. The venue's record for the biggest concert event was set by Garth Brooks, who performed for four nights in March 1998, selling over 56,000 tickets. Other notable performers include AC/DC, Billy Joel, Dolly Parton, and Neil Diamond, making the LJVM Coliseum a versatile arena that caters to both sporting events and entertainment spectacles.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, home to the Wake Forest University men's and women's basketball teams, has a capacity of 14,665 seats.
No, before the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum was built, Wake Forest played at the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum, which had a capacity of 8,200 seats.
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a multi-purpose arena featuring a parquet floor for basketball games. The stadium includes the poem "The Fallen" engraved on an interior wall. It is designed to be one of the leading basketball facilities in the country, leveraging cutting-edge technology, world-class amenities, and sleek design.











































