Convocation Center (Ohio University)

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Convocation Center
The Convo

Location	Athens, Ohio
Broke ground	1965
Opened	1968
Closed	Open
Demolished	N/A
Owner	Ohio University
Operator	Ohio University
Surface	two-layer maple wood
Construction cost	$8.2 million USD
Architect	Brubaker and Brandt
Former names
None
Tenants
Ohio Bobcats (NCAA) (1968-Present)
Seats
13,080

Convocation Center is a 13,080-seat multi-purpose arena that is home to the Ohio Bobcats basketball, volleyball, and wrestling teams. The first men's basketball game in the arena featured an 80-70 Ohio victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on December 3, 1968.

The Convocation Center, affectionately called "The Convo", was designed by Brubaker and Brandt Architects of Columbus, Ohio and built by Knowlton Construction Company of Bellefontaine, Ohio. The arena houses offices for the Ohio Athletics Department numerous coaches' offices, team locker rooms, and athletic training rooms. Over the years, numerous renovations have allowed the Convo to become one of the best facilities in the Mid-American Conference and Division I. In 1997, improved lighting, an expanded press row, and a wider camera deck were added to the arena. Also, The Vern and Marion Alden Basketball Suite which houses offices and meeting rooms for Ohio men's and women's basketball was completed. A few years later, the locker rooms for both basketball teams were expanded and given new furniture, carpeting, and individual wooden lockers. Following the 2004 season, more renovations occurred as a new playing surface was installed and two large Daktronics video boards were added to the venue.

The O-Zone is often ^{[citation needed]} considered to be among the best student cheering sections in the nation.

The Convocation Center's atmosphere is one of the finest in all of college basketball and has helped the Bobcats to win over 75% of their home games since the opening of The Convo in 1968. At the beginning of the 2001-2002 season, a new student cheering section, dubbed the "O-Zone", was started for men's basketball games. Almost always filled for every game, the O-Zone is considered to be the best student section in the Mid-American Conference and among the best in the nation. One of their trademark cheers, simply referred to as "Winning Team, Losing Team", has earned a place among the most well-known chants in the game.

The Convocation Center brought in its largest crowd on February 28, 1970, when 14,102 fans were in attendance to watch the Bobcats men's basketball team defeat the Bowling Green Falcons 77-76. That year Ohio finished 20-5, winning the Mid-American Conference and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

In addition to Ohio basketball, volleyball, and wrestling contests, the Convo hosts numerous other events annually. The facility has held local high school basketball games as well as high school state tournament games. In addition, the Convocation Center has hosted a variety of concerts and special university events, most notably Ohio University's graduation ceremonies.