University Arena

Infobox Stadium | stadium_name=University Arena "THE PIT"


imagesize= 290px
location= E. Arena Dr SE @ Avenida Cesar Chavez & University Blvd SE.
broke_ground=
opened=1966
owner=University of New Mexico
operator=University of New Mexico
Associated Students of UNM
construction_cost=$1.4 million USD
architect=
tenants=New Mexico Lobos
seating_capacity=Basketball: 18,018

University Arena, more commonly known as The Pit, is a basketball only arena in Albuquerque, New Mexico on E Arena Dr SE @ Avenida Cesar Chavez & University Blvd SE with a capacity of 18,018. It serves primarily as the home of the University of New Mexico Lobo basketball teams. The Pit was built in 1966 after the Lobos outgrew their previous venue, Johnson Gymnasium. Many years ago, when Michael Buffer announced a boxing match there, he added "La casa de los Lobos" which means "The house of the wolves" in Spanish.

The Pit is located at the intersection of University Boulevard and Avenida Cesar Chavez in southeast Albuquerque, across the street from University Stadium and Isotopes Park.

Lobo basketball at The Pit

The Pit has a reputation as one of the most hostile arenas in the country for visiting teams due to dark lighting and the large crowds of raucous Lobo fans seated right up to the edge of the court.Fact|date=September 2008 Visiting squads are often forced to develop hand signals to communicate over the deafening roar. The Lobo basketball program enjoys a formidable home-court advantage at The Pit which causes many prospective opponents (most notably the Lute Olson coached Arizona Wildcats) to refuse to play a home-and-home series with the Lobos.Fact|date=September 2008

The Lobo men's basketball team ranked in the top 10 nationally in total attendance every season from the opening of The Pit in 1966 through the 2000-01 season. Although attendance has declined somewhat in recent years, the team has continued to rank in the top 20.ref|tribune

In The Pit

{| class="wikitable"
-! Loudest Arena in the Country (1998–1999) [ [http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nm/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2008-mg-sec1.pdf Loudest Arena in the Country] ]
-
Arena
Game
Decibel
-
The Pit
New Mexico vs Arizona
118
-
Cameron Indoor Stadium
Duke vs North Carolina
116
-
Assembly Hall
Indiana vs Purdue
116
-
Allen Fieldhouse
Kansas vs Iowa
115
-
Dean Smith Center
North Carolina vs Maryland
112
-
Pauley Pavilion
UCLA vs Arizona
112
-
Tropicana Field
Duke vs UConn (NCAA Final Four)
112

Tournament site

The Pit hosted the 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament Final Four, which was the scene of a memorable championship game upset by North Carolina State over heavily favored Houston. The video clip of NC State coach Jim Valvano running around the court at the end of the game documents one of the most famous moments in NCAA basketball history and is now a staple of Final Four television coverage.

The Pit hosted Men's NCAA regionals in 1968, 1978, 1985, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2005, making it a common venue for NCAA Tournament games. It also hosted the 1987, 1995, and 1996 Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournaments. And, The Women's host NCAA in 2003 Regional, 2004 1st and 2nd round, 2006 Regional and 2008 1st and 2nd round.

Design and construction

The arena's nickname is a reference to its unique subterranean construction. It is literally a large pit, with the arena floor 37 feet (11 m) below grade level. The roof was built first, followed by the excavation of the seating area. The Pit was built at a cost of $1.4 million, which was very low even for the 1960s. The design won international recognition for chief architect Joe Boehning, who still resides in Albuquerque.ref|journal

By the mid-1970s, the original capacity of 14,831 proved too small for the increasingly popular Lobos. In 1975, a cantilevered deck was added above the original stands, increasing the seating capacity to 17,131. The total capacity of 18,018 includes standing-room tickets.

There are no supporting pillars in the seating area of The Pit, so there are no obstructed views. The compact area and proximity of the seats to the floor contributes to the legendary noise level.

The basketball playing surface was named Bob King Court in 1992, after the coach who brought Lobo basketball to national prominence in the 1960s.

Renovations

Major renovations to The Pit will undergo a massive upgrade and expansion in 2009 that will include $60 million of improvements. Fans will see new suites, upgraded seating, video boards and a remodeled concourse with the expansion. Teams will also notice a dramatic upgrade in the locker room and staging areas in The Pit. [http://golobos.cstv.com/facilities/nm-the-pit.html] The cost of the project could range from $50–60 million. The University of New Mexico Board of Regents recently gave preliminary approval for a $20–25 million bond. The rest of the funding will come from the state and private sources. Governor Bill Richardson pledged funding for The Pit renovations in January 2006. The arena opened on December 1, 1966. All renovations in the past 40 years have been limited to locker rooms and offices. Although specific details are being finalized, the scope of work is expected to include the following:

* New entrances, ticket office and novelty store
* New men’s and women’s locker rooms
* Expanding the north, east and west concourses to allow for the construction of new restrooms and concession stands
* Building suites on the mezzanine level of the east and west side
* Connecting the Davalos Center to The Pit
* Possibility of adding a third floor to the north end of the arena for a restaurant
* Video boards

Notes

References

# Carlton, Jeff (January 19, 2006). [http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/jan/19/the-pit-not-scoring-as-many-devotees/ "The Pit not scoring as many devotees"] . "The Albuquerque Tribune".
# Wright, Rick (September 19, 1999). [http://www.abqjournal.com/2000/nm/who/28who09-19-99.htm "The Pit: Basketball Arena Recognized Far and Wide"] . "The Albuquerque Journal".
#Note|University of New Mexico (40th Anniversary The Pit, 2007–2008)