| Convocation Center | |
|---|---|
| Location | 1525 W Lincoln Hwy DeKalb, Illinois |
| Broke ground | 2000 |
| Opened | August 30, 2002 |
| Owner | Northern Illinois University |
| Operator | Northern Illinois University |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction cost | $36 Million ($44 million in 2012 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | A. Epstein & Sons International[2] |
| General Contractor | Turner Construction[3] |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Tenants | |
| NIU men's basketball (2002–present) | |
Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, at 1525 W Lincoln Hwy, in DeKalb, Illinois, 60115-2854, USA.[4] The arena opened in 2002. The Convocation Center is home to both the Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball and women's basketball teams, volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, and women's indoor track and field squads. Previously, the basketball teams played at the Chick Evans Field House. The Convocation Center also houses many other events including the opening convocation ceremony for freshmen, concerts, job fairs, expositions, and the annual graduation ceremony.
The first Northern Illinois athletic event in the new facility happened on August 30, 2002, when the Huskie women's volleyball team defeated IUPUI, 3-1, in the opening round of the Best Western Invitational at Victor E. Court.[5]
Entertainers that have performed at the Center include Bob Dylan, Bill Cosby, Blue Man Group, Brooks & Dunn, Drake, Dave Chapelle, Sugarland, Goo Goo Dolls, 3 Doors Down, Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Chamillionaire, Chingy, Rascal Flatts, Michelle Branch, John Mayer, Wayne Brady, O.A.R., Hoobastank, Ludacris, Ashlee Simpson, Jason Aldean, REO Speedwagon, Ja Rule, Counting Crows, Bill Engvall, Jimmy Eat World, B.B. King, 311, Cheap Trick, Joan Jett, Cedric the Entertainer, Larry the Cable Guy, Nelly, Ciara, Dierks Bentley, Kanye West, Incubus, Staind, Big & Rich, Casting Crowns, Styx, Jars of Clay, Sesame Street Live, and Young Jeezy.
The arena was also the site of a memorial service held on February 24, 2008 in tribute to the victims of the Northern Illinois University shooting. Bon Jovi was scheduled to rehearse at the arena beginning February 14, 2008, prior to the start of the North American leg of their Lost Highway Tour on February 18 in Omaha, but was forced to start the tour without rehearsals due to the NIU shooting and the subsequent closure of the campus.[6]
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