Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a significant part of life in the Navajo community, with fans waiting for hours to watch games and athletes training on home hoops during the pandemic. The Chinle High School Division III basketball team, known as the Wildcats, plays in the Wildcat Den, a 6000-7500 seat arena built in 2006 for $23 million. The Wildcat Den is the largest building in Chinle, and its unique hogan shape reflects the traditional dwelling of the Navajo people. The arena is also tied for the rank of the 14th-15th largest high school basketball gymnasium in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Wildcat Den |
| Capacity | 6,000-7,510 |
| Year Built | 2006 |
| Construction Cost | $23 million |
| Ranking | 14th-15th largest high school basketball gymnasium in the US |
| Home Team | Chinle High School Wildcats |
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What You'll Learn
The Wildcat Den
Basketball is a significant part of life in the Navajo community, providing an escape for players and fans alike. The sport is incredibly popular, with fans waiting in line for hours to watch the games. The large arenas on the reservations were built to accommodate the massive crowds that gather to passionately support their teams. The enthusiasm and volume of the fans can sometimes make it hard for players and coaches to communicate during a game.
The Chinle Wildcats' pursuit of a state basketball championship in the 2017-2018 season was documented in the Netflix docuseries "Basketball or Nothing," showcasing the importance of basketball in the community and the impact it has on the lives of the players and fans. The series also highlighted the challenges faced by the community, including gang activity, poverty, and drug and alcohol abuse.
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Home of the Chinle Wildcats
The Wildcats of Chinle High School in Chinle, Arizona, have one of the largest home-court advantages in the state. The Wildcat Den, a 7,500-seat arena, is the largest building in Chinle and is also the 15th-largest high school basketball gymnasium in the United States. The arena was built in 2006 at a cost of $23 million and is described by The Arizona Republic sports columnist Richard Obert as "the best high school arena in Arizona".
The Wildcat Den is home to Chinle High School's Division III basketball teams, known as the Wildcats. The school is the only high school in the Chinle Unified School District, serving several unincorporated areas in Apache County, including Chinle, Cottonwood, Del Muerto, Lukachukai, Many Farms, Nazlini, Rough Rock, Sehili, Tsaile, and small portions of Round Rock and Sawmill. The areas the school serves are within the Navajo Nation.
Basketball is a big part of life in the Navajo community, providing an escape for players and fans alike. The Chinle community has proven its enthusiasm for the sport, with fans waiting in line for hours, and even overnight, for tickets. Before the construction of the Wildcat Den, the Chinle basketball teams played at the 1,000-seat Chinle Community Center. The new arena was built to accommodate the growing community's passion for basketball, with its capacity allowing for large crowds from all around the Navajo Reservation to gather and cheer on their teams.
The Wildcat Den is more than just a basketball arena; it is a sacred space that holds spiritual significance for the Navajo people. The arena is shaped like a hogan, the traditional dwelling of the Navajo, with doors facing east to welcome in the sunlight and signify the rebirth of a new day. Each part of the Wildcat Den has a spiritual message, reflecting the culture and traditions of the Navajo Nation.
The Chinle Wildcats and their fans have a strong connection to their home arena, and the return of rez ball after the COVID-19 pandemic brought healing and a sense of community to Chinle. The large-scale arenas on the Navajo Reservation, including the Wildcat Den, showcase the passion and dedication of the people of Chinle and the Navajo Nation to the sport of basketball.
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One of the largest high school basketball arenas in Arizona
Basketball is a way of life in the Navajo community. The sport is an escape for players and fans alike, with people waiting in line for hours to watch the games. The Wildcat Den at Chinle High School in Chinle, Arizona, is one of the largest high school basketball arenas in the state. With a capacity of 6,000 to 7,500 people, it is the largest building in Chinle and is described by The Arizona Republic sports columnist Richard Obert as "the best high school arena in Arizona". The Wildcat Den is home to the Chinle High School Division III basketball teams, known as the Wildcats. The arena was built in 2006 at a cost of $23 million.
The Chinle High School is the only high school in the Chinle Unified School District, serving several unincorporated areas in Apache County, including Chinle, Cottonwood, Del Muerto, Lukachukai, Many Farms, Nazlini, Rough Rock, Sehili, Tsaile, and small portions of Round Rock and Sawmill. The areas served by the school are within the Navajo Nation. The school is the largest high school within the Navajo Nation, with about 1,250 students and 125 staff and faculty members as of 2013. The student population is predominantly Native American, mainly Navajo.
Before the construction of the Wildcat Den, the basketball teams played at the 1,000-seat Chinle Community Center. The new arena was built to accommodate the growing population of Chinle and the enthusiasm of the community for basketball. The arenas on the Navajo reservations are built on a large scale to host the massive crowds that gather to support their teams. Their enthusiasm and volume can sometimes make it hard for players and coaches to communicate during a game.
The Wildcat Den is shaped like a hogan, the traditional dwelling of the Navajo people, with doors facing east to welcome in the sunlight and signify the rebirth of a new day. Each part of the arena has a spiritual message. The Chinle Wildcats' pursuit of a state basketball championship in the 2017-2018 season was documented in the Netflix docuseries "Basketball or Nothing," showcasing the passion and dedication of the community to the sport.
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Built in 2006 for $23 million
The Wildcat Den, a basketball arena in Chinle, Arizona, was built in 2006 for $23 million. It is located within Chinle High School, which is the only high school in the Chinle Unified School District. The arena has a capacity of 6,000 people, though some sources state that it can seat up to 7,500.
The construction of the Wildcat Den was funded by a combination of grants, county government funds, and taxes. In 1986, the federal government awarded a $10 million grant to the Chinle Unified School District to build a new high school building. The district anticipated spending $20 million on a 1,500-student facility, with additional funds coming from the Apache County government and taxes. The resulting arena is the largest building in Chinle and is described by The Arizona Republic sports columnist Richard Obert as "the best high school arena in Arizona".
Basketball is a significant part of life in the Navajo community, providing an escape for players and fans alike. The sport is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Navajo people, with large arenas drawing crowds from all around the Navajo Reservation. The enthusiasm of the fans is such that their volume can sometimes make it hard for players and coaches to communicate during a game. The Wildcat Den is no exception to this, with fans waiting in line for hours, and even overnight, for tickets.
The Chinle High School basketball teams, known as the Wildcats, have gained some prominence. In 2019, a docuseries called "Basketball or Nothing" premiered on Netflix, following the Chinle Wildcats' pursuit of a state basketball championship in the 2017-2018 season. The series highlighted the struggles of the community, including poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, and family issues, as well as the positive impact that basketball can have.
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Seating capacity of 6,000 to 7,510
Basketball is a significant part of life in the Navajo community. In Chinle, Arizona, the Wildcat Den is a 6,000 to 7,510-seat arena that is home to the Chinle High School basketball team, known as the Wildcats. The arena, built in 2006, is the largest building in Chinle and is described by The Arizona Republic sports columnist Richard Obert as "the best high school arena in Arizona". It is also tied for the rank of the 15th largest high school basketball gymnasium in the United States.
The Wildcat Den is not just a basketball arena; it is a source of community pride and a symbol of the Navajo Nation's passion for the sport. The arena is shaped like a hogan, the traditional dwelling of the Navajo people, with doors facing east to welcome in the sunlight and signify the rebirth of a new day. Each part of the Wildcat Den is said to have a spiritual message.
The Chinle community's enthusiasm for basketball is remarkable, with fans waiting in line for hours and even overnight to secure the best seats. This dedication is reflected in the arena's large-scale construction, ensuring that spectators have ample space to cheer on their favourite team. The Wildcat Den has become a destination for basketball enthusiasts from all around the Navajo Reservation, drawing large crowds and fostering a sense of unity and excitement.
The Chinle High School basketball team and the Wildcat Den arena have gained recognition beyond the Navajo Nation. In 2019, a docuseries titled "Basketball or Nothing" premiered on Netflix, chronicling the Wildcats' pursuit of a state basketball championship during the 2017-2018 season. The series offered a glimpse into the passion and talent within the community and showcased the importance of basketball as an escape and a source of hope for the players and fans alike.
The Wildcat Den is more than just a basketball arena; it is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the Chinle community. With a seating capacity of 6,000 to 7,510 individuals, it serves as a gathering place where the community comes together to celebrate their love for the sport and create lasting memories. The arena stands as a symbol of Chinle's dedication to basketball and the power of sports to bring people together, providing an escape from the challenges of everyday life.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wildcat Den, the Chinle basketball arena, is large enough to seat 6,000 people.
The Wildcat Den is the 15th largest high school basketball gymnasium in Arizona.
The Wildcat Den cost $23 million to build.
The Wildcat Den is one of the largest Native American high school basketball arenas in Arizona. Other large arenas include the Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center (6,532 seats), the Ganado Pavilion (5,500 seats), the Warrior Pavilion (4,518 seats), and the Nash Center (3,800 seats).
The Wildcat Den is one of the largest high school basketball arenas in the Navajo community. Other large arenas in the Navajo community include the Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center (6,532 seats) and the Window Rock Fighting Scouts Arena (6,500 seats).
