UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Construction

Former names	Milwaukee Arena (1950–74) MECCA Arena (1974–95) Wisconsin Center Arena (1995–2000) U.S. Cellular Arena (2000–14)
Location	400 W Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203 United States
Coordinates	43°2′32″N 87°55′1″W / 43.04222°N 87.91694°W / 43.04222; -87.91694Coordinates: 43°2′32″N 87°55′1″W / 43.04222°N 87.91694°W / 43.04222; -87.91694
Owner	Wisconsin Center District
Operator	Wisconsin Center District
Capacity	12,700 (maximum) 10,783 (basketball) 9,500 (indoor soccer) 9,652 (Hockey)
Surface	Maple basketball floor, concrete, ice, or Astroturf
Broke ground	November 3, 1948^[1]
Opened	April 9, 1950^[2]
Renovated	1998
Construction cost	$7.6 million ($74.7 million in 2016 dollars^[3])
Architect	Eschweiler & Eschweiler
General contractor	Hunzinger Construction Co.^[4]
Tenants
Milwaukee Wave (MASL) (1984–1988, 2003–present) Brewcity Bruisers (WFTDA) (2005–present) Milwaukee Panthers (NCAA) (1992–1998, 2003–2012, 2013–present) Green Bay Chill (LFL) (2014–Present) Milwaukee Iron (AFL) (2010; 1 playoff game) Milwaukee Hawks (NBA) (1951–1955) Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) (1968–1988) Milwaukee Admirals (IHL/AHL) (1977–1988, 2016–Present) Marquette Warriors (NCAA) (1974–1988) Milwaukee Bonecrushers (CIFL) (2008–2009) Milwaukee Does (WPBL) (1978–1980)

UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (originally Milwaukee Arena and formerly MECCA Arena, Wisconsin Center Arena and U.S. Cellular Arena) is an indoor arena located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The arena, which seats as many as 12,700 people and offers 41,000 feet of floor space, is part of a larger downtown campus, that includes the Milwaukee Theatre and Wisconsin Center.

The arena was part of the MECCA Complex from 1974 until the 1995 opening of the Midwest Express Center.

History

It opened in 1950 and was one of the first to accommodate the needs of broadcast television. It was folded into the MECCA complex when it opened in 1974. It is also known for its former unique basketball court painted by Robert Indiana in 1978, with large rainbow 'M's taking up both half-courts representing Milwaukee.

Since the 1960s, the Arena has held a number of concerts by high-profile performers. On September 4, 1964, The Beatles played their only Milwaukee concert, at the Arena, to a sold-out crowd of screaming fans. Folk-rock icon Bob Dylan played a two-night stand there in mid-October as part of his Fall 1981 tour.

It was home to the Milwaukee Hawks (1951-55) and the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA (1968 to 1988), and hosted the 1977 NBA All-Star Game before an audience of 10,938. The venue was also home to Marquette University's men's basketball team along with the International Hockey League Milwaukee Admirals. These teams all moved to the BMO Harris Bradley Center upon the newer arena's opening in 1988.

In 1994, the Wisconsin Center District (WCD), a state organization, was created in order to fund the Midwest Express Center, and, in 1995 the MECCA complex was folded into this, including the Arena (the BMO Harris Bradley Center is owned by a separate authority). Following a major overhaul in 1998, the arena is now home to the Milwaukee Wave of the Major Indoor Soccer League (including the 2006 MISL All-Star game) and is the Milwaukee venue for Disney on Ice. It has also hosted professional wrestling events, including WCW SuperBrawl II in 1992, WWF King of the Ring 1996, WCW Clash of the Champions in 1997, WWF Over the Edge in 1998 and WCW Mayhem in 2000. It was at the forementioned King Of The Ring card where "Stone Cold" Steve Austin first uttered his now-famous "Austin 3:16" catchphrase.

The WCD added the Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame alongside the U.S. Cellular Arena in 2001. At the end of this public promenade is a Wisconsin Historical Marker noting the location where Christopher Sholes invented the first practical typewriter, featuring the QWERTY keyboard layout.

As the MECCA, the building hosted the 1984 NCAA Mideast first and second round games. The U.S. Cellular Arena also hosted all or part of every Horizon League men's basketball conference tournament from 2003 to 2011.

In 2008 and 2009, it was home to the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League.^[5]

On August 7, 2010, the arena hosted an Arena Football League playoff game between the Milwaukee Mustangs and the Chicago Rush. The Iron played its 2010 regular season home games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, but the ongoing installation of the new center court scoreboard in that venue forced the home playoff games to be played at the U.S. Cellular Arena, where the Milwaukee Mustangs would go on to win.

It is also home to the Brewcity Bruisers roller derby league.

Milwaukee Panthers connection and renaming

The arena has been the home of the Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball team at three different times—first from 1993 to 1998, then from 2003 to 2012, and since 2013. The Panthers played their 2012-2013 home games at the 3,500-seat Klotsche Center on UWM's east side campus. The move generated complaints from some Panthers fans and attendance lagged as the team limped to its worst record since the 1990s. After Amanda Braun was named UWM’s athletic director in March 2013, she said she would re-examine the decision to move games from the U.S. Cellular Arena. In July 2013, UWM officials reached a 5-year contract with the arena owner, Wisconsin Center District, that runs through the 2017-2018 season.^[6]

U.S. Cellular's naming rights expired on May 31, 2014, and they did not renew their contract.^[7] On June 26, 2014, it was announced that the Arena would be renamed the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena, as part of an agreement which would run at least through 2024, with UWM having an option to extend it through 2029.^[8] The deal additionally makes the arena officially the major site for UWM events such as graduation ceremonies, a role it had already taken for years before.

Milwaukee Bonecrushers' Quarterback Ryan Maiuri taking a snap against the Chicago Slaughter on March 21, 2008 at U.S. Cellular Arena.

In August 2015, it was revealed that the Milwaukee Admirals were possibly considering moving back to UWM Panther Arena in the next few seasons. Their current home, BMO Harris Bradley Center, is set to be replaced by the new Milwaukee Bucks Arena, and the Admirals have not expressed any interest of moving into the arena, and in fact, have said they are actually against moving into it. Logically, the move could make sense for a few reasons: more open scheduling dates, the chance to actually share in arena operations rather than just being a tenant, and more marketing in the arena, which they are hardly able to do in Bradley Center. Moreover, Panther Arena's operators have said they would welcome the Admirals moving into the arena.

On 16 March 2016 it was announce the Admirals signed a 10 year lease with a 5 year mutual extention. Also included on the deal was $2.3 million for upgrades to the arena.

Seating capacity

The seating capacity for basketball has changed as follows:

11,046 (1950-1961)^[9]
11,138 (1961-1968)^[10]
10,746 (1968-1973)^[11]
10,938 (1973-1980)^[12]
11,052 (1980-1998)^[13]
11,358 (1998-2004)^[14]
10,783 (2004–present)^[15]

References

↑ Jones, Robert F. (April 10, 1960). "Arena Opening in 1950 Like Dream Come True". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 9. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ On This Day in Wisconsin History
↑ "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
↑ "Arena Bonds Draw Only One Bid; Offer Rejected". Milwaukee Journal. December 16, 1948. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
↑ Walker, Don (July 17, 2007). "Arena Football is Back in Milwaukee". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
↑ Kirchen, Rich (July 15, 2015). "UWM men’s basketball returning to U.S. Cellular Arena". The Business Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
↑ Michele, Michele. "Name change in the works for US Cellular Arena". Retrieved 2014-05-27.
↑ Walker, Don. "Former U.S. Cellular Arena to be named for UWM Panthers" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel June 26, 2014
↑ Breslin, Jimmy (February 19, 1959). "Hawks Too Big In St. Louis So Hickey Lifts Marquette". Star-Banner (Ocala, FL). p. 9. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ Bledsoe, Terry (December 26, 1962). "Luncheon, Clinic Are Extras For Classic Tournament Fans". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ Kupper, Mike (February 26, 1970). "MU to Set Record, Despite New Math". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ "Seating At Arena Increased To 10,938". The Milwaukee Journal. August 23, 1973. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ "Arena Will Get 114 More Seats". The Milwaukee Sentinel. September 25, 1980. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ Dabe, Christopher (January 3, 2004). "Eagles Anxious to Put Down Roots". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ "Panthers Open Home Slate With Upper Iowa". UW-Milwaukee Athletics. November 20, 2005. Retrieved March 5, 2013.

Admirals sign 10 year lease http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/03/16/admirals-panther-arena-owner-plan-6-3-million-in.html?ana=twt

External links

Official Site

Events and tenants
Preceded by Wharton Field House	Home of the Milwaukee Hawks 1951 – 1955	Succeeded by Kiel Auditorium
Preceded by first arena	Home of the Milwaukee Bucks 1968 – 1988	Succeeded by BMO Harris Bradley Center
Preceded by The Spectrum	Host of the NBA All-Star Game 1977	Succeeded by Omni Coliseum

Atlanta Hawks

Founded in 1946 Formerly the Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1946–1951); played in Milwaukee (1951–1955) and St. Louis (1955–1968) Based in Atlanta, Georgia

Franchise	Franchise All-time roster Draft history Seasons Head coaches Current season

Arenas	Wharton Field House Milwaukee Arena Kiel Auditorium St. Louis Arena Alexander Memorial Coliseum Omni Coliseum Lakefront Arena Georgia Dome Philips Arena

D-League affiliate	None

NBA Championships (1)	1958

Conference Championships (4)	1957 1958 1960 1961

Retired jerseys	9 17 21 23 55

Lore	The Human Highlight Film Pistol Pete Phantom Buzzer Game

Media	TV Peachtree TV FS South Fox Sports Southeast Radio 790 The Zone Announcers Bob Rathbun Dominique Wilkins Steve Holman

Milwaukee Bucks

Founded in 1968 Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Franchise	Franchise 1968 Expansion Draft All-time roster Draft history Seasons Head coaches Current season

Arenas	MECCA Arena BMO Harris Bradley Center New arena (open appx. 2018)

General Managers	Erickson Embry Nelson D. Harris Dunleavy Weinhauer Grunfeld L. Harris Hammond

D-League affiliate	None

Administration	Owner Wesley Edens & Marc Lasry General Manager John Hammond Head Coach Jason Kidd

Retired numbers	1 2 4 10 14 16 32 33

Hall of Famers	Lew Alcindor Nate Archibald Dave Cowens Wayne Embry Alex English Bob Lanier Moses Malone Oscar Robertson

NBA Championships (1)	1971

Conference Championships (2)	1971 1974

Culture & lore	The Big O Bango The Fastest Expansion Champion MECCA Court The Coin Flip Fear the Deer

Media	TV Fox Sports Wisconsin Jim Paschke (play-by-play) Gus Johnson (part-time play-by-play) Jon McGlocklin (color) Marques Johnson (part-time color) Radio WTMJ Ted Davis Dennis Krause

Milwaukee Admirals

Founded in 1970 Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Franchise	History Records Players Current season All articles

Arenas	Milwaukee Arena (later MECCA Arena) BMO Harris Bradley Center

Coaches	Claude Noel Lane Lambert Kirk Muller Ian Herbers Dean Evason

Rivalries	Chicago Wolves Peoria Rivermen Rockford IceHogs

Calder Cup	2004

Affiliates	Nashville Predators (NHL) Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL}

Milwaukee Mustangs

Formerly the Milwaukee Iron Founded in 2009 Folded in 2013 Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Franchise	Franchise Seasons

Arenas	The Bradley Center U.S. Cellular Arena (playoffs)

Head Coaches	Compton Landsee

Playoff Appearances (1)	2010

Division Championships (1)	2010

Current League Affiliations	League: Arena Football League Conference: American Conference Division: East Division

Retired Numbers	3 5 8

Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball

Venues	Marquette Gymnasium (1922–1974) Milwaukee Arena (1974–1988) BMO Harris Bradley Center (1988–present) Al McGuire Center (practice)

Culture & lore	"Ring Out Ahoya" "Jump Around Guy"

People	Head coaches NBA players

Seasons	1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16

NCAA national championship in bold; NCAA Final Four appearances in italics

Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball

Venues	Baker Fieldhouse (1956–1977) J. Martin Klotsche Center (1977–1992) U.S. Cellular Arena (1992–1998) J. Martin Klotsche Center (1998–2003) U.S. Cellular Arena (2003–2012) Klotsche Center (2012–2013) UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (2013–present)

Rivalries	Rivalry records

Culture & lore	History

People	Head coaches

Seasons	1896–97 1897–98 1898–99 1899–00 1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16

Basketball arenas of the Horizon League

Wolstein Center (Cleveland State)
Calihan Hall (Detroit)
Resch Center (Green Bay, men's)
Kress Events Center (Green Bay, women's)
UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (Milwaukee, men's)
Klotsche Center (Milwaukee, women's)
BB&T Arena (Northern Kentucky)
Athletics Center O'rena (Oakland)
UIC Pavilion (UIC)
Athletics-Recreation Center (Valparaiso)
Nutter Center (Wright State)
Beeghly Center (Youngstown State)

Venues of the Legends Football League

Eastern Conference	Arena at Gwinnett Center Royal Farms Arena Huntington Center Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Ralston Arena

Western Conference	Citizens Business Bank Arena Orleans Arena ShoWare Center Sears Centre UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena

LFL Canada	Abbotsford Centre Brandt Centre SaskTel Centre Stampede Corral

LFL Australia	AAMI Park nib Stadium Skilled Stadium Centrebet Stadium Penrith

Former Venues	BB&T Center CFE Arena Citrus Bowl Cotton Bowl Dick's Sporting Goods Park FIU Stadium Hard Rock Live Hershey Centre Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Quicken Loans Arena QuikTrip Park Resch Center Ricoh Coliseum Sovereign Center Sun National Bank Center Tampa Bay Times Forum Target Center Thomas & Mack Center Toyota Park Valley View Casino Center

Current arenas in the Major Arena Soccer League

Eastern Division	Royal Farms Arena Farm Show Complex Oncenter War Memorial Arena Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center

Central Division	U.S. Cellular Center Sears Centre UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Silverstein Eye Centers Arena Family Arena

Southwest Division	Unidad Deportiva Tijuana Barracudas Sports Complex Orleans Arena McClellan Park Deportivo Rancho-Seco Saltillo Turlock Soccer Complex

Pacific Division	Allen Event Center Citizens Business Bank Arena Valley View Casino Center Centro de Usos Múltiples ShoWare Center

Current venues in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association

East region	Aleppo Shriners Auditorium Dorton Arena Kennedy Arena Du Burns Arena CT RollerGirls D.C. Armory Haygood Skating Center Overlook Activities Center Inline Skating Club of America Hunter College Sportsplex Green Mountain Roller Derby Harrisburg Area Roller Derby Independence Family Fun Center Earls Court Exhibition Centre Skate Safe America Portland Exposition Building Le Taz John F. Kennedy Memorial Coliseum Class of 1923 Arena Rhode Island Convention Center Rainbow Rink Greater Richmond Convention Romp'n Roll Roller Skating Rink Sports Centre at MCC Suburbia Roller Derby

West region	Veterans Memorial Auditorium Castle Sports Club B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls Bellingham Roller Betties Central Coast Roller Derby 1stBank Center Albuquerque Convention Center Lane County Fairgrounds Sport Center of Las Vegas FoCo Girls Gone Derby Everett Community College Lava City Roller Dolls Skateland Pacific Roller Derby Colorado Springs City Auditorium KeyArena ShoWare Center Bladium Portland Expo Center Roller King Roseville Salt Palace Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Silicon Valley Roller Girls Slaughter County Roller Vixens Slaughterhouse Derby Girls TISC Wasatch Roller Derby

North Central region	Midwest Sport Hockey Complex Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Wolstein Center Chicago Outfit Roller Derby Cincinnati Gardens Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum Derby City Rollergirls Masonic Temple Drill Hall Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Fox Cityz Foxz Gem City Rollergirls Rivertown Sports Dave Andreychuk Arena Killamazoo Derby Darlins Alliant Energy Center Roy Wilkins Auditorium Indiana Farmers Coliseum Indiana Convention Center Minneapolis Convention Center Central Ohio Roller Hockey Paper Valley Rollergirls Rockford Rage Swonder Ice Arena Sioux Falls Expo Building UIC Pavilion

South Central region	Austin Convention Center Rollercade Fair Park Coliseum Yaarab Shrine Center UNO Human Performance Center NYTEX Sports Centre Von Braun Center Tulsa Convention Center Knoxville Civic Coliseum Bayou Music Center Wichita Ice Center Municipal Auditorium MidSouth Fairgrounds Tennessee State Fairground Sports Arena Pershing Center Starlight Skatium Oklahoma Victory Dolls Mid-America Center North Florida Fairgrounds USA Skateplex West Texas Roller Dollz

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