United Supermarkets Arena
Entertainment Showcase of West Texas
The USA
Former namesUnited Spirit Arena (1999–2014)
Location1701 Indiana Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79409
Coordinates33°34′52.54″N 101°53′11.89″W / 33.5812611°N 101.8866361°W / 33.5812611; -101.8866361
OwnerTexas Tech University
OperatorTexas Tech University
Capacity15,300 (present)
15,050 (1999–2001)
SurfaceHardwood
Construction
Broke groundMarch 26, 1997
OpenedOctober 1, 1999
Construction cost$62.775 million
($110 million in 2022 dollars[1])
ArchitectRosser International
Joe D. Mckay AIA Architects
Project managerHill International
General contractorCentex Construction Co.
Tenants
Texas Tech Red Raiders (NCAA DI) (1999–present)

United Supermarkets Arena (previously the United Spirit Arena) is a multipurpose arena on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The 15,300-seat arena opened in 1999 and is home to the Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball, Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball, and Texas Tech Red Raiders women's volleyball teams.

History

The City of Lubbock proposed replacing the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum with a new arena named after Buddy Holly. The proposed Buddy Holly Arena was to be located next to the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center in downtown Lubbock, not on the Texas Tech University campus. A public referendum for a tax increase to build the arena failed to pass by as few as 600 votes. Texas Tech decided to move construction to an on-campus facility with private donations on the university's campus.

The arena was financed from a $500 million fundraising endeavor undertaken by John T. Montford, the first chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.[2] Groundbreaking began on March 26, 1997.[3] The arena opened on October 1, 1999, at a cost of $62.775 million.[4]

With a total of 15,300 seats, United Supermarkets Arena is slated to become the largest indoor collegiate sports arena in the state, pending the proposed demolition of University of Texas at Austin's Frank Erwin Center

Design

The arena features a Spanish Renaissance exterior facade, matching architectural style of the rest of the Texas Tech University campus. Architects for the project included Joe D. McKay AIA Architects, and Rosser International. Hill International was the project manager, and the general contractor was Centex Construction Co.[5][6]

Standing at the southeast entrance of the arena is the eight-story Victory Tower. At 96 feet (29 m), Victory Tower is the 16th-tallest structure in Lubbock.[7]

Naming rights

Lubbock-based supermarket chain United Supermarkets purchased the naming rights to the facility under a 20-year, $10 million naming-rights agreement with Texas Tech University in 1996. Until 2014, the arena was known as United Spirit Arena. Following a 10-year, $9.45 million naming-rights extension, the arena was renamed United Supermarkets Arena. Funds from the 10-year naming rights extension will go towards facility renovations.[8]

Usage

Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball

  • The first basketball game was played in the arena on November 19, 1999. The Texas Tech Red Raiders lost 68–60 to the Indiana Hoosiers,[9] coached by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Bob Knight, who would later become the head coach of Red Raiders basketball team.
  • On January 1, 2007, a 70–68 defeat of the New Mexico Lobos by the Texas Tech Red Raiders marked the 880th total win for Bob Knight, making him the winningest coach in men's college basketball history.
  • A Big 12 Conference record for student attendance was set February 25, 2014, against Kansas State.[10]

NCAA Tournaments

NCAA Division I Women's Basketball First and Second Rounds: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2013, and WNIT Tournament First Round 2023.

Gymnastics

On October 2, 2016, the arena hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions.[11]

WNBA

On May 4, 2007, the Houston Comets with former Lady Raiders Sheryl Swoopes and Erin Grant played a Women's National Basketball Association exhibition game against the Detroit Shock with Plenette Pierson, also a former Lady Raider.[12]

WWE

United Supermarkets Arena hosted WWE Raw (the first Raw ever to be hosted in Lubbock) in May 2006.

Concerts

Date Artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attendance Revenue Notes
February 8, 2000Elton John—Medusa Tour——First concert to be held at the arena.
October 18, 2000 Pearl Jam Supergrass Binaural Tour Performance of "Parting Ways" was included on the Touring Band 2000 DVD.
June 14, 2002Britney Spears—Dream Within a Dream Tour14,256 / 14,256$741,972After the second song, "(You Drive Me) Crazy", a power outage occurred and the rest of the concert had to be canceled. Spears, along with her tour manager, came onstage to explain the situation to the sold-out crowd. Due to Spears being overbooked for the entire tour, there was no time to reschedule the concert.[13]
October 14, 2011Taylor Swift—Speak Now World Tour10,419 / 10,419$710,426Tickets for the show were sold out within 20 minutes after going on sale, the fastest sell-out in the arena's history.
January 18, 2013George StraitMartina McBrideThe Cowboy Rides Away Tour——
March 17, 2013Bon Jovi—Because We Can: The Tour13,255 / 13,255$1,201,105This concert marks Richie Sambora's last with the band.
October 2, 2014Paul McCartney—Out There11,446 / 11,446$1,820,456Originally scheduled for June 14, but was postponed due to illness.[14]
March 30, 2017Garth Brooks
Trisha Yearwood		—The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood——This show was sold out and 4 more shows were added, all of which were sold out.
March 31, 2017
April 1, 2017
April 2, 2017
March 2, 2019MetallicaJim BreuerWorld Wired Tour——This concert featured the live debut of Here Comes Revenge.[15]
March 26, 2023 TobyMac CrowderCochren & Co

Tasha Layton Jon Reddick Terrian

 Hits Deep Tour 2023 — —
May 7, 2023 For King & Country — What Are We Waiting For The Tour: Part II — —

See also

References

  1. ↑ 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–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ "John T. Montford a Powerhouse at Tech, in Politics". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. January 11, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Texas Tech Breaking New Ground". Amarillo Globe-News. Associated Press. March 27, 1997. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  4. ↑ Altenbaumer, Kara (October 1, 1999). "A Grand Time on Tap for Unveiling of Spirit Arena". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  5. ↑ Fuquay, John (April 27, 1999). "Tech to Test Integrity of United Spirit Arena Balcony". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Buildings: Sports Facilities". Hill International. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Victory Tower, Lubbock | 243555". Emporis. Archived from the original on May 16, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Texas Tech Receives 9.45 Million from United Supermarkets".
  9. ↑ Rosetta, Randy (November 20, 1999). "Despite Falling Short, Red Raiders Pleased". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Archived from the original on February 21, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
  10. ↑ Rose, Rex (February 26, 2014). "Tech breaks Big 12 attendance record, falls to Kansas State". The Daily Toreador. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  11. ↑ "2016 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions takes center stage beginning Sept. 15". usagym.org. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Tickets on Sale Now for WNBA Game in Lubbock". Texas Tech Athletics. April 2, 2007. Retrieved April 2, 2007.
  13. ↑ Gilbreth, Kristin (June 21, 2002). "Spears Not Returning Despite Arena Officials Plea". The Daily Toreador. Texas Tech University. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  14. ↑ Kerns, William. "McCartney postpones Lubbock concert; show rescheduled for Oct. 2". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Here Comes Revenge". Metallica.com. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
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