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Maples Pavilion is a 7,392-seat multi-purpose arena in Stanford, California. It was built in 1968. Maples underwent a $30 million renovation in March 2004, which wrapped up in time for conference play in December of that year. It is home to multiple Stanford University Cardinal athletics teams, including men and women's basketball and women's volleyball.
The raucous student section that roots for the men's basketball team is called the "6th Man" and it is located in several rows along courtside. The 6th Man, alongside the Stanford Band forms one of the loudest, most creative crowds in college sports.[citation needed]
Because of its spirited fans and the intimate size of the venue, Maples is widely considered to be the loudest and most intimidating arena in the Pac-10, and one of the loudest in the country.[citation needed] Stanford has an all time .874 winning percentage there. A layer of pea gravel beneath the spring-loaded floor makes it particularly bouncy and given to reverberation. This can be troublesome for opposing free-throw shooters, and for concerts with significant bass.[citation needed]