| Fifth Third Arena | |
|---|---|
| The Shoe | |
| Former names | Myrl H. Shoemaker Center (1990-2005) |
| Location | Scioto St Cincinnati, OH 45221 |
| Opened | November 25, 1989 |
| Owner | University of Cincinnati |
| Operator | University of Cincinnati |
| Surface | All-Star Plus (basketball floor) |
| Construction cost | $32 Million |
| Architect | Glaser Associates |
| Capacity | 13,176 |
| Tenants | |
| Cincinnati Bearcats (basketball) |
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Fifth Third Arena is a 13,176-seat multi-purpose arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, named for Fifth Third Bank. The arena opened in 1989. It is home to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team. It is located in the Myrl H. Shoemaker Center, which was the name of the arena as well until 2005. It is still popularly known as "The Shoe."
The facility hosted the 1994 Great Midwest Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments, the 1998 Conference USA men's basketball & volleyball tournaments, the 1999 NCAA Mideast Women's Basketball Regional, the 2003 NCAA West Women's Basketball Subregional, and the 2006 Big East volleyball championship.
Cincinnati has compiled a 205-27 record and a hefty .884 winning percentage since its opening in 1989-90, and an 99-9 ledger over the past seven years. In the 1999-2000 season, every Bearcat home game was sold out. During the Bob Huggins era, it was known as one of the most hostile arenas in the nation due to the painfully high decibel levels typical of his tenure.
A new basketball court was installed for the 2003-2004 season. It is a similar floor to ones used in the NBA. Like its predecessor, it is named Ed Jucker court, in honor of the coach who led the Bearcats to their two national championships.
The building was previously named for Myrl H. Shoemaker, the former Lieutenant Governor of the state of Ohio. Prior to the building of The Shoe, the Bearcats played off-campus at Riverfront Coliseum (now U.S. Bank Arena) and the Cincinnati Gardens. Their previous on-campus arena, Armory Fieldhouse, has been renovated for recreational use, and is located adjacent to the arena to the north.
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