Watsco Center
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 Watsco Center at theUniversity of Miamiin May 2009 | |
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| Full name | Watsco Center at theUniversity of Miami |
|---|---|
| Former names | Ryder Center(construction/planning) UM Convocation Center(2003–05) BankUnited Center(2005–16) |
| Address | 1245 Dauer Dr Coral Gables, Florida33146-2504 |
| Location | Coral Gables, Florida,U.S. |
| Coordinates | 25°42′54″N80°16′45″W/ 25.71500°N 80.27917°W |
| Public transit |  University 56, 500 |
| Owner | University of Miami |
| Operator | Oak View Group Facilities |
| Capacity | 7,972 Basketball 5,990 Ice Hockey[1] |
| Field size | Arena size: 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 4, 2001[2] |
| Opened | January 4, 2003 |
| Construction cost | $48 million ($74 million in 2023 dollars[3]) |
| Architect |
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| General contractor | Turner Construction[4] |
| Tenants | |
| Miami Hurricanes men'sandwomen's basketball(NCAA) (2003–present) Miami Vice Squad(NIFL) (2007) Miami Inferno(UIFL) (2014) Florida Mayhem(OWL) (2018–2023) | |
| Website | |
| http://watscocenter / | |
TheWatsco Center(originally named theUniversity of Miami Convocation Center) is an 8,000-seat multi-purposearenaon the campus of theUniversity of MiamiinCoral Gables, Florida.The venue hosts concerts, family shows, trade shows, lecture series, university events and sporting events, and serves as the home court to theMiami Hurricanes'men'sandwomen'sbasketball teams.
History
[edit]The arena opened in 2003 and was originally named the University of Miami Convocation Center. The arena is home to theMiami Hurricanesmen'sandwomen'sbasketballteams. Additional events held in the Watsco Center include concerts, sporting events, lectures, award shows, high school graduations, and men's and women's basketball games. It is the largest arena ever built on theUniversity of Miamicampus.
In 2005, the arena was renamed theBankUnited Center,afterMiami Lakes-basedBankUnited.In 2016,Miami-based air conditioning companyWatscoacquired the naming rights.
Prior to the opening of the Watsco Center, from 1988 until 2002, the school's basketball teams played their home games atMiami Arena.
U.S. presidential debates
[edit]The Watsco Center has hosted two U.S. presidential debates to date:
On September 30, 2004, the University of Miami hosted one of the three nationally televisedU.S. presidential debatesbetween presidential candidatesGeorge W. BushandJohn Kerryduring the2004 presidential electionat the Watsco Center. The debate, which was moderated byJim LehrerofPBS NewsHour,was viewed by 62.5 million people.[5]
On March 10, 2016, the University of Miami hosted the2016 Republican presidential primary'stwelfth and final debateat Wastso Center, which aired nationally onCNNand featured Republican presidential candidatesTed Cruz,John Kasich,Marco Rubio,andDonald Trump.[6]
Ranking
[edit]The 2007 issue ofVenues Today,an entertainment industry publication, reports that the Watsco Center outperformed all but one other venue in Florida in its size category for number of concerts and touring events held in 2006.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"About Us".watscocenter.Watsco Center.RetrievedNovember 29,2019.
- ^Palm Beach Post Wire Services (April 5, 2001)."Finally! Work to Start on UM Basketball Arena".The Palm Beach Post.RetrievedNovember 22,2011.
- ^1634–1699:McCusker, J. J.(1997).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1700–1799:McCusker, J. J.(1992).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1800–present:Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis."Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–".RetrievedFebruary 29,2024.
- ^"What's on Deck?".Sports Business Journal.Advance Publications.July 30, 2001. Archived fromthe originalon November 12, 2013.RetrievedMarch 13,2013.
- ^"CPD: 2004 Debates".Commission on Presidential Debates. Archived fromthe originalon June 11, 2008.RetrievedOctober 6,2009.
- ^"Republican Debate in Miami: What to Watch".CNN. March 10, 2016.
- ^Palmer, Heidi M. (April 4, 2007)."University of Miami's BankUnited Center Ranks Second Among Florida Venues By National Magazine".University of Miami News.Archived fromthe originalon May 23, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 31,2009.
External links
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| Authority control databases:Geographic |
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- 2003 establishments in Florida
- Basketball venues in Florida
- Buildings and structures in Coral Gables, Florida
- College basketball venues in the United States
- Coral Gables, Florida
- Esports venues in Florida
- Indoor arenas in Florida
- Miami Hurricanes basketball venues
- Mixed martial arts venues in Florida
- Music venues completed in 2003
- Music venues in Florida
- Sports venues completed in 2003
- Sports venues in Florida
- University of Miami