
Home to the Davidson Wildcats, the John M. Belk Arena is a 5,295-seat multi-purpose stadium located on the campus of Davidson College, in Davidson, North Carolina. The stadium, named after a Davidson alumnus, is the centerpiece of the Baker Sports Complex and has hosted the likes of Bob Dylan during his 2006 North American Tour. The Davidson Wildcats have enjoyed a strong basketball history, with the likes of Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame coach Charles Lefty Driesell, Steph Curry, and Bob McKillop, who coached the most victories in the school's history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | John M. Belk Arena |
| Location | Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina, United States |
| Capacity | 5,295 (with bleacher seating) |
| Lower Bowl Capacity | 1,323 |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Address | 200 Baker Drive, Davidson, NC 28036 |
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What You'll Learn

The John M. Belk Arena has a capacity of 5,295 seats
The John M. Belk Arena is a multi-purpose sports arena located on the Davidson College campus in Davidson, North Carolina. The arena is named after Davidson alumnus and benefactor John M. Belk (1920–2007), who was part of the class of 1943. The John M. Belk Arena has a capacity of 5,295 seats, with 1,323 in the lower bowl. The arena features a main varsity court with a hardwood floor for basketball and volleyball. When the bleacher seating is retracted, two additional hardwood basketball courts and two hardwood volleyball courts are available.
The John M. Belk Arena is home to the Davidson Wildcats men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the wrestling team and the women's volleyball team. The playing surface is named McKillop Court, in honour of former men's basketball coach Bob McKillop, who has coached the most victories in the school's history. The Wildcats' success in the early 2000s, led by Steph Curry, brought widespread recognition to Davidson College basketball. However, their success on the court dates back to the 1960s under coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell, who took Davidson to back-to-back National Quarterfinals in 1968 and 1969.
The Baker Sports Complex, of which the Belk Arena is the centerpiece, also houses the soon-to-be-retired Richardson Stadium, the longtime home of Davidson football and track and field, as well as the outdoor tennis pavilion. The complex features an eight-lane pool, a wrestling room, a weight room, a dance studio, and a made-to-order sandwich shop called the Wildcat Den, which also serves as the Concession Den during sporting events.
The John M. Belk Arena has hosted notable events outside of athletics as well. For example, Bob Dylan performed at the arena during his 2006 North American Tour on May 2, 2006.
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The arena is named after Davidson alumnus John M. Belk
The Davidson College basketball stadium, the John M. Belk Arena, holds 5,295 people with bleacher seating and 1,323 in the lower bowl. The arena is named after Davidson alumnus John M. Belk (class of 1943), who was also a former captain of the Wildcats' teams. Belk served as a trustee of Davidson College for over 15 years and was the former mayor of Charlotte. He remained involved with Davidson from his graduation in 1943 until his death in 2007, serving in various roles including on the Board of Trustees and as Honorary National Chairman of the $250 million Campaign for Davidson.
The John M. Belk Arena is located on the campus of Davidson College, in Davidson, North Carolina. It is the centerpiece of the Baker Sports Complex, which also includes the soon-to-be-retired Richardson Stadium (the longtime home of Davidson football and track and field), the outdoor tennis pavilion, and an eight-lane pool. The arena is home to the Davidson Wildcats men's and women's basketball teams, the wrestling team, and the women's volleyball team. The playing surface is named McKillop Court, in honour of former men's basketball coach Bob McKillop, who has coached the most victories in the school's history.
The Wildcats' success in the early 2000s, led by Steph Curry, brought widespread recognition to Davidson College basketball. However, their success on the court dates back to the 1960s, under Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell. Driesell took Davidson to back-to-back National Quarterfinals in 1968 and 1969 and achieved four Top 10 end-of-season rankings during his decade at Davidson. Bob McKillop, hired in 1989, continued the Wildcats' winning streak, with 29 consecutive winning seasons in his 33 years at the college.
The John M. Belk Arena has hosted notable performers as well as sporting events. Bob Dylan performed at the arena during his 2006 North American Tour on May 2, 2006.
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The arena is home to the Davidson Wildcats
The John M. Belk Arena is home to the Davidson Wildcats. Located on the campus of Davidson College, in Davidson, North Carolina, the arena is part of the Baker Sports Complex. The sports complex is situated on the eastern edge of the college campus, neighbouring the Richardson Stadium, home to Davidson football and track and field, as well as the outdoor tennis pavilion. The John M. Belk Arena is named after a Davidson alumnus, John M. Belk, class of 1943, who was also a former captain of the Wildcats' teams and a longtime trustee of the college. The arena has a capacity of 5,295 seats, with 1,323 in the lower bowl. When the bleacher seating is retracted, two additional basketball courts and two volleyball courts are available.
The Davidson Wildcats have a strong basketball history, with the team achieving success in the early 2000s, highlighted by an Elite Eight run led by Steph Curry. The Wildcats also experienced a winning streak under coach Bob McKillop, who was hired in 1989. McKillop led the team to 29 consecutive winning seasons, including 19 postseason appearances. The Wildcats' success dates back even further, to the 1960s, under Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell. During this decade, Driesell guided Davidson to back-to-back National Quarterfinals in 1968 and 1969 and achieved four Top 10 end-of-season rankings.
The John M. Belk Arena is not just a testament to the Wildcats' basketball prowess but also a versatile space. It serves as the home ground for the Davidson Wildcats men's and women's basketball teams, the wrestling team, and the women's volleyball team. The playing surface, named McKillop Court, honours former men's basketball coach Bob McKillop and his remarkable coaching record. The arena has also hosted notable performers, with Bob Dylan gracing the stage during his 2006 North American Tour.
The atmosphere at the arena is vibrant, with dedicated Wildcat fans consistently filling around two-thirds of the capacity. The audience comprises a mix of students, alumni, and local residents, all coming together to support their beloved Davidson Wildcats. The Baker Sports Complex also features the Wildcat Den, a made-to-order sandwich shop that doubles as the Concession Den during sporting events, providing refreshments for fans.
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The Wildcats' success in the early 2000s was highlighted by Steph Curry
The Davidson College basketball team, the Wildcats, rose to prominence in the early 2000s, thanks to the stellar performances of their point guard, Steph Curry. Curry, a highly touted prospect, more than lived up to the hype, making an immediate impact in his freshman year. In just his second collegiate game, he recorded an impressive 32 points and nine rebounds. He continued to shine, breaking the school's freshman scoring record and leading the Southern Conference in scoring with 21.5 points per game, an exceptional feat for a first-year player.
Curry's impact extended beyond statistics. His scoring prowess created a "gravity" effect, drawing the attention of opposing defenders and creating opportunities for his teammates. His exceptional skills and leadership propelled the Wildcats to new heights. In the 2007-08 season, Curry, alongside coach Bob McKillop, guided the Wildcats to a remarkable 26-6 regular-season record and a 20-0 conference record. This earned them a spot in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, where they made history.
In the tournament, the Wildcats, led by Curry, went on a remarkable run. They defeated seventh-seeded Gonzaga, second-seeded Georgetown, and third-seeded Wisconsin. Curry's performance against Gonzaga was particularly memorable, as he scored 30 points in the second half alone, securing Davidson's first NCAA Tournament win since 1969. The Wildcats' success continued against Georgetown, with Curry's 25 second-half points leading them to a thrilling comeback victory. Their victory over Wisconsin, propelled them to the Elite Eight, marking the team's deepest run in the tournament.
Steph Curry's three seasons at Davidson College were undoubtedly the highlight of the Wildcats' early 2000s success. His exceptional talent, leadership, and scoring ability transformed the team and brought them national recognition. Curry's legacy at Davidson is immortalised, with his number hanging proudly in the rafters of the John M. Belk Arena, the Wildcats' home stadium, which seats close to 5,300 fans.
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The Baker Sports Complex houses the Belk Arena
The Baker Sports Complex is home to the Belk Arena, a 5,295-seat multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Davidson College, in Davidson, North Carolina. The arena, which opened in 1989, is named after Davidson alumnus and benefactor John M. Belk, who was also a former captain of the Wildcats' teams and served as a trustee of the college for over 15 years. The arena is the centerpiece of the Baker Sports Complex and hosts the Davidson Wildcats men's and women's basketball teams, the wrestling team, and the women's volleyball team. The playing surface is named McKillop Court, in honour of former men's basketball coach Bob McKillop, who led the team to 29 consecutive winning seasons in his 33 years at Davidson.
Belk Arena has a rich history, with the Wildcats' success dating back to the 1960s under Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell. The team reached back-to-back National Quarterfinals in 1968 and 1969 and achieved four Top 10 end-of-season rankings during Driesell's tenure. The arena also recognises the achievements of more recent players, such as Steph Curry, who led the team to an Elite Eight run in the early 2000s. Despite fluctuations in the team's performance over the years, the Davidson basketball programme remains competitive and consistently draws a dedicated fanbase.
The arena features a main varsity court with a hardwood floor for basketball and volleyball. When the bleacher seating is retracted, two additional basketball courts and two volleyball courts become available, providing flexibility for different sports and events. The Baker Sports Complex also includes the Cannon Pool, an eight-lane pool with a movable bulkhead and separate diving well, accommodating competitions in both yards and meters. The complex houses the Wildcat Den, a made-to-order sandwich shop open during weekdays, which doubles as the Concession Den during sporting events.
Overall, the Baker Sports Complex, with its flagship Belk Arena, serves as a versatile and well-equipped sports facility, catering to a range of athletic programmes and providing a vibrant atmosphere for Davidson College's sporting community.
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Frequently asked questions
The Davidson basketball stadium, also known as the John M. Belk Arena, has a capacity of 5,295 seats with bleacher seating.
The lower bowl of the arena can accommodate 1,323 spectators.
When the bleacher seating is retracted, two additional hardwood basketball courts are available for use.
The address of the Davidson basketball stadium is 200 Baker Drive, Davidson, NC 28036.











































