Ayrton Oneill
Home to the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team, the McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC) is a 6,000-seat indoor arena located on the Gonzaga University campus in Spokane, Washington. The arena, which opened in 2004, is nicknamed The New Kennel in reference to the school's former basketball arena, the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which was home to the Bulldogs for 39 years. The MAC has been the site of numerous winning streaks for the Bulldogs, including a 38-game winning streak to open the arena and a 41-game home winning streak that was snapped in 2015.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the arena | McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC) |
| Number of seats | 6,000 |
| Year of opening | 2004 |
| Construction cost | $25 million |
| Court elevation | 1,900 feet (580 m) above sea level |
| Previous Gonzaga basketball arenas | Charlotte Y. Martin Centre (1965-2004), Spokane Coliseum (from 1955), College Hall (from 1905) |
| Previous seating capacities | Charlotte Y. Martin Centre: 4,000; Kennedy Pavilion/John F. Kennedy Memorial Pavilion: 3,800 |
| Notable events | Gonzaga had a 50-game winning streak at home from the Martin Centre to the McCarthey Athletic Center; Broke the state attendance record for a regular-season college basketball game in 2008 with a sold-out crowd of 16,763 |
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What You'll Learn
Gonzaga's basketball arena, the McCarthey Athletic Centre, has 6,000 seats
Gonzaga University's basketball arena, the McCarthey Athletic Centre, has 6,000 seats. The arena, located in Spokane, Washington, is home to the university's Bulldog basketball programmes, members of the West Coast Conference (WCC) in Division I of the NCAA. The McCarthey Athletic Centre, nicknamed "The New Kennel", replaced the school's former basketball arena, the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which was popularly known as "The Kennel".
The McCarthey Athletic Centre first opened in November 2004, with construction beginning in April 2003. It is named after Gonzaga trustee Philip G. McCarthey and Gonzaga regent Thomas K. McCarthey, who contributed significantly to the funding of the arena. The first official game took place on 19 November 2004, against Portland State, with the Zags winning 98-80 in front of a sold-out crowd.
The McCarthey Athletic Centre, or MAC, features 6,000 seats in a modern indoor arena. This is a significant increase in capacity compared to the previous arenas used by the Gonzaga basketball teams, such as the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which could hold up to 4,000 people after its remodel in 1986, and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Pavilion, which had 3,800 seats.
The decision to settle on 6,000 seats for the McCarthey Athletic Centre was a financial and experiential one. According to Murphy, a member of the athletics department, increasing the seating capacity to 8,000 would have been a substantial financial burden, and the additional seats may not have provided an optimal game-watching experience. Thus, they settled on 6,000 seats, a number they believed they could fill for every game, which has proven true as the arena has sold out for every game since its opening.
The McCarthey Athletic Centre has proven to be a successful home court for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Through February 6, 2020, the Bulldogs had a record of 223-15 (.937) in the arena across non-conference, conference, and WCC tournament games. The arena has also hosted notable events beyond basketball, including concerts by popular artists and performances by comedians such as Bill Cosby, Jeff Foxworthy, and Kevin Hart.
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The arena is nicknamed The Kennel
The McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC) is a 6,000-seat indoor basketball arena located on the Gonzaga University campus in Spokane, Washington. The arena is nicknamed "The Kennel", a name passed down from its predecessor, the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which was home to the Bulldogs for 39 years.
The Martin Centre, originally known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Pavilion, opened in 1965 with 3,800 seats. In 1986, the arena was renamed after an eponymous donor, Charlotte Y. Martin, who contributed $4.5 million to finance a remodel that increased the capacity to 4,000. Over the years, the Martin Centre became affectionately known as "The Kennel" by the Gonzaga community.
When the new arena, the McCarthey Athletic Center, opened in 2004, it was originally referred to as "The New Kennel" to distinguish it from the beloved old arena. However, as the MAC became the established home of Gonzaga basketball, fans began to call it simply "The Kennel", with the same affectionate tone as its predecessor.
The nickname "The Kennel" evokes a sense of fierce loyalty and energy associated with the Bulldogs basketball team. The arena is known for its energetic atmosphere, with dedicated fans cheering on their team. The Kennel Club, a group of students with prime seating, is particularly renowned for their enthusiastic support, giving opponents an earful to bolster their team's performance.
The McCarthey Athletic Center has continued the legacy of "The Kennel", fostering a reputation for being a challenging venue for visiting teams due to the passionate fanbase and energetic atmosphere. The arena has witnessed numerous historic moments in Gonzaga basketball, including record-breaking winning streaks and memorable victories.
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The previous arena was the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, nicknamed The Cave
The McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC) is a 6,000-seat indoor arena located on the Gonzaga University campus in Spokane, Washington. It is home to the university's Bulldog basketball programs and opened in November 2004. The MAC is nicknamed "The New Kennel", a reference to the school's former basketball arena, the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which was nicknamed "The Kennel" or "The Cave".
The Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, nicknamed "The Cave", was the home of Gonzaga basketball before the McCarthey Athletic Center. It was opened in late 1965 as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Pavilion, with a capacity of 3,800 for basketball. The first varsity basketball game was held on December 3, 1965, against Washington State, with the visiting Cougars winning 106-78 before an overflow crowd of 4,300. The center included a 6-lane 25-yard swimming pool and had a seating capacity of 4,000.
The Martin Centre was home to the men's and women's basketball teams until the fall of 2004 when the adjacent McCarthey Athletic Center opened. The women's volleyball team still plays at the Martin Centre. The men's basketball team played some of their home games at the Spokane Coliseum during the 1979-80 season. Before the Spokane Coliseum opened in 1955, Gonzaga basketball games were played at "The Cave", a gymnasium in the administration building.
The Cave, as it was affectionately known, was a small gym with seating only four or five rows deep on the main floor and balcony. It would not have been large enough to accommodate the visiting teams' ticket allotment for home games today. The Cave hosted fewer games after the Spokane Coliseum opened in 1955, and even fewer after the Kennedy Pavilion opened on campus in 1965.
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The Martin Centre had a capacity of 4,000
The Martin Centre, formerly known as the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, was home to the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team for 39 years. The arena, which opened in 1965, originally had a capacity of 3,800 seats. However, in 1986, the facility was renovated with funding from an eponymous donor, Charlotte Y. Martin, who contributed $4.5 million. This renovation increased the capacity of the arena to 4,000.
The Martin Centre served as the home court for the Gonzaga Bulldogs until 2004 when the team moved to the newly constructed McCarthey Athletic Centre (MAC). The MAC is a 6,000-seat indoor arena located on the campus of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. The new arena, nicknamed "The New Kennel", replaced the Martin Centre as the primary home for the Bulldogs basketball program.
The transition from the Martin Centre to the McCarthey Athletic Centre was a significant upgrade in terms of capacity and amenities. With a capacity of 6,000, the MAC offered a substantial increase in seating, providing more opportunities for fans to attend games and supporting the growing popularity of the team. Additionally, the MAC featured modern amenities and improvements that enhanced the overall game experience for both the players and spectators.
Despite the move to the new arena, the Martin Centre holds a special place in the history of Gonzaga basketball. It was the home court during some of the team's early successes, including a 50-game winning streak that stood as the longest home win streak in the NCAA at the time. The arena's intimate setting, with its capacity of 4,000, created a vibrant and energetic atmosphere that contributed to the team's success and the passionate fanbase that continues to support the Bulldogs today.
Although the Martin Centre is no longer the primary home arena for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, its legacy is honoured through the nicknames of the new arenas. The McCarthey Athletic Centre is often referred to simply as "The Kennel," paying respect to its predecessor, the original "Kennel." The Martin Centre's contribution to the rich basketball history of Gonzaga University is thus acknowledged and remembered.
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The McCarthey Athletic Centre has hosted concerts and comedy shows
The McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC) is a 6,000-seat indoor arena located on the Gonzaga University campus in Spokane, Washington. It is home to the university's Bulldog basketball programmes and has been open since November 2004. The MAC has hosted concerts by Switchfoot, Yellowcard, Ben Folds, Death Cab for Cutie, and Jay Sean. Comedians such as Bill Cosby, Jeff Foxworthy, and Kevin Hart have also performed at the arena.
The MAC features a court elevation of approximately 1,900 feet (580 m) above sea level. It replaced the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, nicknamed ""The Kennel," which had been home to the Bulldogs for 39 years. As the new arena established itself, fans began using the nickname "The Kennel" for it as well. The MAC has been sold out for every game, with prime seating options for students, including the Kennel Club, which offers a close and immersive experience.
The McCarthey Athletic Centre has a rich history of hosting various events, including concerts and comedy shows, in addition to its primary function as a basketball arena. The centre has welcomed renowned musicians and comedians, providing a versatile entertainment venue for the community.
One notable aspect of the McCarthey Athletic Centre's concert history is its role in fostering up-and-coming bands. While the centre has hosted established acts like Switchfoot and Ben Folds, it has also provided a platform for emerging artists on their rise to fame. This tradition dates back to the early days of basketball at Gonzaga University, when the Kennedy Pavilion, a previous basketball venue, hosted a young Led Zeppelin, then known locally as "Len Zefflin."
The McCarthey Athletic Centre continues to be a sought-after venue for concerts and comedy shows, with tickets available through various platforms. The centre's website provides official information on events, seating charts, and bag policies, ensuring a smooth experience for visitors. Ticket prices vary depending on the event and seat location, with options available for different budgets. The centre is easily accessible, with parking options and public transportation or ride-sharing services available for those travelling to the venue.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 6,000 seats in the McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC), the basketball arena at Gonzaga University.
The McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC) is the current basketball arena at Gonzaga University. It is nicknamed "The New Kennel" in reference to the school's former basketball arena, the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which was popularly known as "The Kennel."
The Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, which was home to the Gonzaga Bulldogs for 39 years, had a capacity of 4,000 people after a remodel in 1986. Prior to that, the arena was known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Pavilion, which had 3,800 seats.
According to Murphy, a member of the Athletics department, increasing the number of seats from 6,000 to 8,000 would have been financially challenging. Additionally, the additional seats may not have provided an optimal viewing experience. Thus, they settled on 6,000 seats, which they have successfully filled for every game.
