Ayrton Oneill
The Kohl Center, a \$76.4 million project, opened its doors on Saturday, with the Wisconsin men's basketball team playing against Northwestern in its inaugural game. The center, which was built in 20 months, serves as a venue for athletics, concerts, shows, and university functions. It is home to the men's and women's basketball teams and the Badger hockey team. The Kohl Center has a maximum capacity of 17,230 for men's basketball games and features a student section that holds 2,100 students across three decks. The center also includes a state-of-the-art media center, 26 bathrooms, 18 concession stands, a full-service kitchen, and a basketball practice facility, among other amenities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Opening Date | Saturday, 3:30 p.m. |
| Year | 1993 |
| Cost | $76.4 million |
| Construction Time | 20 months |
| Capacity | 16,500 fans |
| Previous Venue | Wisconsin Field House |
| Student Section Capacity | 2,100 students |
| Student Section Location | Three decks from the floor to the roof |
| Men's Basketball Maximum Capacity | 17,230 |
| Home Record Under Coach Bo Ryan | 133-10 |
| Home Winning Streak Under Coach Bo Ryan | 24 games |
| Student-Athlete Academic Centers | 2 |
| Courtside Seat Price | $10,000 to $12,500 |
| Number of Bathrooms | 26 |
| Number of "Family" Bathrooms | 7 |
| Number of Concession Stands | 18 |
| Number of Locker Rooms | 8 |
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What You'll Learn
The Kohl Center opened in 1993
The Kohl Center opened its doors in 1993, becoming the new home for the University of Wisconsin's men's and women's basketball teams. The $76.4 million project was completed in just 20 months, an impressive feat for a building of its magnitude. The center was developed by the Wisconsin-based Hammes Company and constructed by The Boldt Company, with key contributions from donors like former Wisconsin Badgers basketball player Albert Nicholas and Jack F. Kellner.
The Kohl Center was designed with a focus on athletics and accommodating large audiences. It features a spacious basketball practice facility, eight locker rooms, 18 concession stands, a full-service kitchen, and a store selling Wisconsin merchandise. The student section, spanning three decks, can accommodate 2,100 students, adding to the energetic atmosphere of the games. The center also boasts excellent accessibility, with wide aisles, generous wheelchair seating, and accessible bathrooms and concession areas.
Prior to the Kohl Center, the basketball teams called the Wisconsin Field House their home. The new center provided a modern and expanded space, with a maximum capacity of over 17,000 for men's basketball games. The debut game at the Kohl Center was a men's basketball matchup between Wisconsin and Northwestern, played in front of 16,500 fans and a national television audience on ESPN.
Over the years, the Kohl Center has hosted numerous significant sporting events, including NCAA championships in women's volleyball, men's basketball, and men's hockey. It has also been a site for concerts, shows, university functions, and political gatherings, such as Barack Obama's speech in 2008 before a crowd of over 17,000 people. The Kohl Center continues to be a hub for athletics and campus activities, contributing to the vibrant sports culture at the University of Wisconsin.
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The Wisconsin men's basketball team
The Kohl Center is a $76.4 million athletic centre that opened in 1993. It is the home of the Wisconsin men's basketball team, who played their first game there in 1995 against Northwestern. The team's former coach was Bo Ryan, and under his leadership, the men's basketball team achieved a record of 133–10 at home and held a 24-game home winning streak through the 2006–07 season. The Kohl Center has a rich history of hosting significant games, including several where a Badger victory led to fans storming the court.
The Center has a student section that holds 2,100 students across three decks. The student section is known for its energetic atmosphere, with students wearing tie-dyed Grateful Dead t-shirts as their pseudo-uniforms. The Kohl Center also has a state-of-the-art media centre, eight locker rooms, a full-service kitchen, a Badger Store, a ticket office, and a basketball practice facility.
Prior to the 2006 men's basketball season, the UW Athletic Department sold 48 courtside seats, priced between $10,000 and $12,500 each. This increased the maximum capacity for men's basketball games to 17,190. The Kohl Center has also undergone reconfiguration to add more seating, with the maximum capacity currently at 17,230.
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The student section
The Kohl Center, which opened in 1993, is primarily an athletic facility, catering to large audiences for sporting events. The student section, with a capacity of 2,100, spans three decks from the floor to the roof of the arena.
The Kohl Center's debut was not without its challenges. The project was fast-tracked, and the team worked tirelessly to meet the tight deadline. In the end, the basketball court was ready just in time for the opening, with the hoops arriving after midnight the night before. The Kohl Center has since become a focal point for athletics and other campus activities, including concerts, shows, and university functions.
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The Grateful Red
The Kohl Center, located on the UW–Madison campus, was developed by the Wisconsin-based Hammes Company and constructed by the Boldt Company, opening its doors in 1993. The center has hosted notable basketball events, including an NCAA men's basketball regional championship in 2002, and it boasts the nation's highest attendance in men's and women's college hockey.
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The Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion and Plaza
The Kohl Center opened in 1998, and the basketball teams previously played at the Wisconsin Field House. The Center has a large seating capacity, with 17,287 seats for basketball and 15,539 for hockey, making it the second-largest indoor venue in Wisconsin. The student section holds 2,100 students across three decks, and the arena was designed with cantilevered balconies to bring fans close to the action.
The Kohl Center has hosted numerous significant events, including NCAA championships in women's volleyball, men's basketball, and men's hockey, as well as commencement ceremonies, concerts, political gatherings, and conventions. It is also the site of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) high school Boys' basketball and individual wrestling championships.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball started at the Kohl Center on Saturday, when the Wisconsin men's basketball team played Northwestern in front of 16,500 fans.
The Kohl Center cost $76.4 million to build.
Former Wisconsin Badgers basketball player Albert Nicholas and his wife donated $10 million, and Jack F. Kellner and his sons donated $2.5 million.
The maximum capacity for men's basketball games at the Kohl Center has changed over time. It was 17,142 before the 2006 season, 17,190 before the 2008-09 season, and 17,230 after some seating reconfiguration in the upper deck.
The Kohl Center hosts a variety of events besides basketball, including commencement ceremonies, concerts, ice skating shows, career fairs, political gatherings, conventions, and university functions.
