Indiana Farmers Coliseum

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

The Indiana Farmers Coliseum during the 2015 Indiana State Fair
Full name	Indiana Farmers Coliseum
Former names	Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (1939-91) Pepsi Coliseum (1991-2012) Fairgrounds Coliseum (Apr. 2014-Dec. 2014)
Location	Indiana State Fairgrounds 1202 E 38th St Indianapolis, Indiana 46205
Coordinates	39°49′39″N 86°8′6″W / 39.82750°N 86.13500°WCoordinates: 39°49′39″N 86°8′6″W / 39.82750°N 86.13500°W
Owner	State of Indiana
Operator	Indiana State Fair Commission
Capacity	8,000 (original) 6,500 (Basketball) 6,300 (Hockey) 6,800 (End stage) 4,800 (Livestock)
Construction
Broke ground	1936
Opened	August 1939
Renovated	2014
Closed	October 29, 2012—April 23, 2014
Reopened	April 24, 2014
Construction cost	$63 million (Renovation)
Architect	Populous
Project manager	Hunt Construction Group
Tenants
Indianapolis Capitals (AHL) (1939–1952) Indianapolis Chiefs (IHL) (1955–1962) Indianapolis Capitols (CPHL) (1963) Indiana Pacers (ABA) (1967–1974) Indianapolis Checkers (IHL) (1979–1985) Indianapolis Ice (CHL) (1999–2004) Indiana Ice (USHL) (2004–2012) Naptown Roller Girls (WFTDA) (2010–present) IUPUI Jaguars (NCAA) (2014–present) Indy Fuel (ECHL) (2014–present)

The interior of Fairgrounds Coliseum after the most recent renovation

The Indiana Farmers Coliseum (originally Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum and formerly Pepsi Coliseum^[1] and Fairgrounds Coliseum) is an indoor multi-use arena, located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indiana Farmers Coliseum is home to both the Indy Fuel, of the ECHL and the IUPUI Jaguars, of the NCAA.

Originally opened in 1939 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration (part of the New Deal), the Coliseum has hosted numerous historical events, including the only performances ever held in Indiana by The Beatles.

On October 26, 2012, the Coliseum held a "Lights Out" ceremony and closed for renovations.^[2] On April 24, 2014, after a 17-month, $53 million renovation, the Coliseum re-opened.^[3]

In December 2014, the Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Company entered into a ten-year agreement with the Indiana State Fair Commission to re-christen the arena as the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.^[4]

History

plaque honoring explosion victims 2014

On October 31, 1963, during a Holiday on Ice show, a propane leak at a concession stand caused an explosion which killed 74 people.^[5] A memorial plaque was dedicated 40 years later in the building, but it has since been removed. Another plaque honoring the explosion victims currently hangs inside the building's lobby.

Indiana Pacers (1967–74)

The venue was home to the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1974. The Pacers were very successful in their tenure at the Coliseum, winning three ABA Championships. They captured the ABA titles in 1969-70, defeating the Los Angeles Stars in 6 games, in 1971-72, defeating the New York Nets in 6 games, and in the 1972-73 season, defeating the Kentucky Colonels in 7 games. The team moved to Market Square Arena in 1974. In 1976, the Pacers became a franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) when the ABA merged with the NBA. ^[6]

The Pacers returned for a night when they played their first pre-season game of the 2008-2009 season at the Pepsi Coliseum on October 8, 2008, hosting the then-New Orleans Hornets.^[7] 7,439 people watched the Pacers lose to the Hornets 105-71. The Pacers wore uniforms based on the 1967 to 1971 uniform design. Former ABA Pacers George McGinnis, Darnell Hillman, Bob Netolicky, Don Buse, Jerry Harkness, Steve Green, Tom Thacker, Bill Newton, and Wayne Pack, attended the game and were recognized during a halftime ceremony.^[8] During the game's first quarter, former Championship Pacers coach and current radio commentator Slick Leonard sat on the Pacers' bench as head coach, while then-head coach Jim O'Brien joined Mark Boyle for the radio broadcast.^[9]

Other sports teams and events

The finals of the 1942-43 - 1944-45 Indiana High School Boy's Basketball Tournament's were held at the Coliseum.

The Indianapolis Capitals of the American Hockey League played at the Coliseum, winning the Calder Cup in 1942 and 1950. The Indianapolis Chiefs of the International Hockey League played at the Coliseum, winning the Turner Cup in 1958. The Indianapolis Checkers of the Central Hockey League played at the Coliseum, winning back to back Adams Cup Championships in 1982 and 1983. The Indianapolis Ice of the CHL played out of the Coliseum, winning the 2000 Ray Miron Cup Championship.

During the winter months, public ice skating is offered for a small fee. The Coliseum also hosts Budweiser Fight Night Boxing, the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show, The Hoosier Horse Fair, high school and college commencement ceremonies, and many concerts featuring national acts.

The Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League played at the Coliseum from 2004 to 2012, leaving due to the renovation. They did not return to the Coliseum upon the venue reopening. Instead the Ice opted for withdrawal from competition or dormancy until another venue could be secured.^[10]

Performances

List of Performances 

• Cliff Richard & The Shadows – February 1, 1960
• Tennessee Ernie Ford – August 6, 1964
• The Beatles – September 3, 1964
• The Dave Clark Five – November 6, 1964
• The Beach Boys – December 29, 1964, with The Fantastic Four Wheels and Sir Richard & The Mark IV's, November 18, 1966, with Chad & Jeremy, The Dawn Five and The Boys Next Door and August 26, 1982
• The Rolling Stones – July 9, 1966, with The Standells and The McCoys
• Perry Como – August 10, 1966
• The Yardbirds – November 11, 1966
• Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – August 5, 1967
• Herman's Hermits – September 1, 1967, with The Who
• Lawrence Welk – August 12, 1968
• The Cowsills – August 24, 1968
• Ed Ames – August 25, 1968
• Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood – September 1, 1968
• The Jimi Hendrix Experience – May 11, 1969, with Chicago
• Glen Campbell – August 5, 1969, with Jerry Lee Lewis, Jerry Reed and John Hartford
• Anita Bryant – August 28, 1969
• The Association – August 29, 1969, with The Ventures
• The Byrds – February 14, 1970
• Led Zeppelin – April 4, 1970
• Paul Revere & the Raiders – August 25, 1970, with Art Linkletter
• The Guess Who – August 26, 1970
• Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash – August 29, 1970
• Buck Owens & The Buckaroos – September 5, 1970
• Three Dog Night – February 27, 1971, with Uriah Heep
• Neil Diamond – May 9, 1971
• The Jackson 5 – May 29, 1971
• Santana – June 12, 1971, with The Tower of Power
• Red Skelton – August 21, 1971
• Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention – October 19, 1971 and May 2, 1973, with John McLaughlin & The Mahavishnu Orchestra
• REO Speedwagon – December 10, 1971 and April 6, 1973, with Blue Öyster Cult and Beck, Bogert & Appice
• King Crimson – March 11, 1972 and April 21, 1973
• Badfinger – March 28, 1972
• Elvis Presley & The TCB Band – April 12, 1972
• Jethro Tull – May 2, 1972
• Yes – September 20, 1972, with The Eagles and Gentle Giant
• Deep Purple – December 2, 1972, with Fleetwood Mac
• Uriah Heep – February 27, 1973, with Spooky Tooth
• The Doobie Brothers – May 13, 1973, with The Faces
• The Grateful Dead – October 27, 1973
• Humble Pie – December 8, 1973
• Poco – May 16, 1974, with Golden Earring and Bachman–Turner Overdrive
• Loggins & Messina – August 23, 1974
• Styx – March 8, 1975, with Blue Öyster Cult and Babe Ruth
• Foghat – May 6, 1975 and December 3, 1976
• Chicago – August 22, 1975
• Helen Reddy – August 24, 1975
• The Electric Light Orchestra – March 11, 1976
• Ted Nugent – April 9, 1976, with Rush and The Sutherland Brothers & Quiver and August 16, 2012
• Neil Sedaka – August 21, 1976
• Black Oak Arkansas – October 9, 1976, with Heart
• Dolly Parton – August 23, 1977, August 22, 1982 and August 18, 1989
• The Robin Trower Band – October 4, 1977
• Roy Rogers & Dale Evans – August 26, 1978, with The Sons of the Pioneers
• The Marshall Tucker Band – August 19, 1980
• Neil Young & The International Harvesters – August 19, 1985
• Def Leppard – July 18, 1988
• The Smashing Pumpkins – December 6, 1993
• The Flaming Lips – November 5, 1994, with Candlebox and Sweet Water
• Danzig – December 6, 1994
• Nine Inch Nails – January 21, 1995, with Pop Will Eat Itself and The Jim Rose Circus
• Billy Ray Cyrus – April 15, 1995
• Queensrÿche – April 21, 1995, with Type O Negative
• Primus – November 11, 1995
• Green Day – November 17, 1995
• Our Lady Peace – November 2, 1996
• The Stone Temple Pilots – December 7, 1996
• Pantera – January 12, 1997 and March 18, 2001, with Soulfly and Morbid Angel
• Marilyn Manson – February 13, 1997
• 311 – November 18, 1997, with Sugar Ray and Incubus
• The Jars of Clay – March 21, 1998
• Vanilla Ice – January 19, 2001
• A Perfect Circle – March 17, 2001, with Snake River Conspiracy and April 17, 2004, with The Mars Volta
• John Mayer – November 12, 2002, with Robert Randolph and the Family Band
• The Honda Civic Tour – April 15, 2003
• Linkin Park – December 8, 2003, with Puddle of Mudd and Ill Niño
• O.A.R. – December 12, 2003
• tobyMac & The Diverse City Band  – November 18, 2004
• Good Charlotte – May 8, 2005
• The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular – January 27, 2006
• David Lee Roth – September 15, 2006
• Music as a Weapon – December 15, 2006
• Kenny Rogers – August 14, 2007
• American Idol Live – August 16, 2007
• Three Days Grace – March 22, 2008, with Breaking Benjamin, Seether and Neverest
• The Casting Crowns – May 2, 2008, with Leeland and John Waller and October 11, 2014, with Mandisa and The Sidewalk Prophets
• Sugarland – August 12, 2008, with Kellie Pickler and Ashton Shepherd and August 20, 2010, with Little Big Town
• Seether – November 23, 2008, with Staind and Papa Roach
• The Jägermeister Music Tour – December 22, 2008
• Slipknot – February 3, 2009, with Trivium and Coheed and Cambria
• In Flames – May 3, 2009
• MercyMe – August 12, 2009
• Heart – August 16, 2009
• The Zac Brown Band – December 9 and 29, 2009, with Nic Cowan, Levi Lowrey and Sonia Leigh
• The Blessid Union of Souls – January 23, 2010
• Arcade Fire – April 27, 2011, with The National
• Jack Ingram – August 5, 2011
• VH1 Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam – February 2, 2012
• CMT Crossroads Super Bowl Fan Jam – February 4, 2012
• 99.5 WZPL's Birthday Bash – June 13, 2014
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – July 31, 2014, with Jamey Johnson and Drake White & The Big Fire
• The Pepsi HankFest – November 2, 2014
• WZPL 99.5's Jingle Jam – December 7, 2014

References

1. "1963 Coliseum explosion killed 74". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
2. "Lights Out Ceremony".
3. Rader, Kevin (25 April 2014). "Open house shows off newly renovated State Fairgrounds Coliseum". WTHR. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
5. Drabek, Thomas (1995-05-18). "Disaster in Aisle 13 Revisited". Retrieved 2008-10-07.
6. http://www.remembertheaba.com/Indiana-Pacers.html
7. "Pacers to play New Orleans in Pepsi Coliseum". Indianapolis Star. 2008-08-20. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
8. Brunner, Conrad (2008-10-08). "A night to remember, a game to forget". National Basketball Association. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
9. "Former Pacers coach Leonard expected to coach". USA Today. October 8, 2008.
10. http://www.indianaice.com/news/2014/07/21/indiana-ice/indiana-ice-granted-dormacy/

External links

• Official Site
• Photos from Indiana Ice games
• Photo gallery of Pacers highlights at Coliseum
• Indianapolis, IN Coliseum Explosion, Oct 1963