| George M. Holmes Convocation Center | |
|---|---|
| Seby Jones Arena | |
| Location | 111 Rivers Street Boone, NC 28608 |
| Broke ground | December 1997 |
| Opened | November 17, 2000 |
| Owner | Appalachian State University |
| Operator | Appalachian State University |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction cost | $25.6 million ($32.6 million in 2012 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Corley Redfoot Zack, Inc., Chapel Hill, NC |
| Capacity | 8,325 |
| Tenants | |
| Appalachian State Mountaineers (NCAA) Basketball (2000–present) Volleyball (2000–present) Indoor Track and Field (2000–present) |
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The George M. Holmes Convocation Center (usually referred to as the Holmes Center or The Holmes Dome) is a 8,325-seat multi-purpose arena in Boone, North Carolina. The convocation center is named for George M. Holmes, a 1954 graduate and member of the North Carolina General Assembly. The arena itself is named for Seby Jones. It was built in 2000 and is home to the Appalachian State Mountaineers men's and women's basketball teams. The inaugural event was a men's basketball game held on November 17, 2000 between the Mountaineers and the Tar Heels of North Carolina. The facility replaced Varsity Gymnasium.The George M. Holmes Convocation Center’s Mission is to provide facilities for the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science and to support the academic processes of Appalachian State University. Serving as a multi-purpose for the northwestern region of North Carolina, the center will support university sponsored events, such as, commencement and college fair. Cultural events, concerts, trade shows, athletic events and other public assembly activities will also be a part of the center’s programming.The cornerstone of the Appalachian State University campus is the George M. Holmes Convocation Center. Containing Seby Jones Arena, the facility serves as the home of Mountaineer volleyball as well as the men’s and women’s basketball programs and indoor track and field squads.
Standing at the end of Rivers Street, the 200,840-square-foot (18,659 m2) structure houses the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science, and includes a multipurpose arena for community and cultural events, graduation and convocation ceremonies, trade shows, concerts, and athletic events.
The athletics facilities on campus have long been considered among the finest in the Southern Conference. The constant emphasis placed on the maintenance and upgrading of these sites shows the institution’s dedication to its teams and student-athletes. Throughout the past several years there have been many additions and renovations to the athletic facilities, as well as academic buildings on campus, to help propel ASU into the 21st century.
The 8,325-seat arena is complete with HLES offices, classrooms, state-of-the-art laboratories, team areas and retractable seating for concerts, special events, volleyball and basketball competition and more.
A 300-meter state-of-the-art directional Mondo track circles the upper concourse and is used by the indoor track and field teams for both practice and competition.
The facility was opened with a celebration followed by a men’s basketball contest between Appalachian and North Carolina. With much anticipation, every seat was sold recording the first a pre-gameday sellout in school history for any sporting event. The athletics ticket office sold the full allotment of tickets for the inaugural contest in the Holmes Center 12 minutes after opening.
The Appalachian student section is a priority. Student seating is located at midcourt for both volleyball and basketball.
Public service, a cornerstone upon which Appalachian was founded, is the hallmark of two individuals who names will adorn the University’s convocation center.
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