Colonial Center
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The Colonial Center is a basketball arena in Columbia, South Carolina. Opened in 2002, the 18,000 seat arena is home to the University of South Carolina basketball teams and also host various events like conferences, concerts, and graduation ceremonies throughout the year. It is the largest arena in the state of South Carolina and the tenth largest college arena
The arena first opened on November 22, 2002 with the season opener of the South Carolina women's basketball team. A sell-out crowd of 17,712 fans saw the 72-58 Gamecocks victory over in-state rival Clemson. The official grand opening took place December 2, 2002. The men's basketball team defeated Temple 66-47.
Aside from Gamecock basketball, the Colonial Center also hosts the South Carolina High School Basketball Championships each year. The facility is built to also host ice hockey games.
The Colonial Center was ranked 22nd in the world in ticket sales in 2003. [1] (http://uscsports.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/011604aac.html) Some of the arists that have performed in the Colonial Center so far are Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffett, Cher, Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Elton John, Kenny Chesney, and Shania Twain.
Other events included Disney on Ice, Sesame Street, American Idols Live !, and Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
The University of South Carolina holds most of its commencement exercises in the Colonial Center. President George W. Bush served as the commencement speaker for the class of 2003, which caused much excitement but was not without controversy.
External links
- Homepage of the Colonial Center (http://www.thecolonialcenter.com/)
- uscsports.com (http://www.uscsports.com)
- Colonial Supplemental Insurance (http://www.coloniallife.com/home/default.asp)