| Petersen Events Center | |
|---|---|
| "The Pete" | |
| Location | 3719 Terrace Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 |
| Broke ground | June 15, 2000 |
| Opened | April 27, 2002 |
| Owner | University of Pittsburgh |
| Operator | SMG Facility Management |
| Surface | Hardwood Basketball Court |
| Construction cost | USD $ 119 million ($148 million in 2012 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Apostolou Associates Rosser International of Atlanta |
| General Contractor |
Pitt-Center Partners (joint venture between Mizerak Towers and Associates, P.J. Dick Inc. and O'Brien Construction)[2] tenants = Pittsburgh Panthers (NCAA) (2002–present)Pittsburgh Xplosion (CBA) (2006–2008) |
| Capacity | 12,508 |
Not to be confused with Petersen Sports Complex.
The John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Events Center (more commonly known as the Petersen Events Center or "The Pete") is a 12,508-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It hosts the men's and women's Pitt Panthers basketball teams. The arena is named for philanthropists John Petersen and his wife Gertrude, who donated $10 million for its construction.[1] John Petersen, a Pitt alumnus, is a native of nearby Erie, Pennsylvania and is the retired President and CEO of Erie Insurance Group.
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The arena opened in 2002 on part of the former site of Pitt Stadium, which housed the university's football team from 1925–1999. The Pitt men's and women's basketball programs make their home here, previously residing in Fitzgerald Field House. The new building, due to its larger capacity, also meant that Pitt no longer had to play certain games or hold graduation ceremonies at the Civic Arena.
Its first event was a Counting Crows concert. For concerts the Center seats 9,000 for end-stage shows, 14,763 for center-stage shows. The first official women's basketball game at the Pete was 90-51 win over Robert Morris University on November 22, 2002. The first official men's basketball game at the Pete was an 82-67 win over Duquesne University on November 23, 2002. Since its creation through the end of the 2009-10 season, the Pitt men's basketball team has compiled a record of 149–12 (.925) at the Pete, including a 9-0 record against teams ranked in the top five. Pitt broke the 100 win mark on November 22, 2008 with a 86-60 win over Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
In 2006, the Pittsburgh Xplosion, a professional basketball team in the Continental Basketball Association, played its first game at the arena. The team folded just prior to the start of the 2008-09 season.[3]
In October, 2011, a new high definition video board was installed in the Pedersen Events Center.[4]
With 430,000 total square feet, the Pete seats 12,508 for basketball and 9,000 for end stage concerts. The arena features 16,000 square feet (1,500 m2) of lobby space with 90-foot (27 m) high ceilings, 18 luxury suites, including five courtside luxury suites (the only college arena with courtside suites) and a 193-seat SuperSuite.[2]
The section known as the Oakland Zoo is composed of the sections across from the team benches and next to the court. The name comes from Oakland, the neighborhood where Pitt's campus resides. The students in the Zoo wear gold T-shirts with the words "Oakland Zoo" in some way, shape or form across the front. This layout and unity is a large factor in why the Pete is such a tough place to play for opposing teams. In fact, Pitt has lost only two home non-conference game since the Panthers moved into the Pete in 2002.
In 2006, Sports Illustrated surveyed the Big East Conference's basketball players, and the Pete was named the "Toughest Place to Play," with specific players mentioning the Oakland Zoo and the fans' creativity. In 2007 and 2010, "The Pete" hosted first and second round games of the NCAA Women's Division I Tournament.
The Petersen Events Center serves as more than just the home court of the Panthers basketball teams. Located within the facility is a 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) Baierl Student Recreation Center featuring four racquetball courts, two squash courts, Cybex weight machines, a free weight area, aerobics practice room, martial arts room, health assessment area, and aerobic area with treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical and Stairmaster machines and four plasma TVs.
In addition, the McCarl Panthers Hall of Champions, which pays homage to and displays memorabilia from past Pitt athletics achievements, and the official Pittsburgh Panthers Team Store are located in the main lobby of the Pete. [3]
The arena was also one of the home courts for the Pittsburgh Xplosion Continental Basketball Association team, the city's only professional basketball squad at the time, before it folded prior to the 2008-09 season.
Also, a food court is located within the Pete and is available to students and others during the weekdays in addition to when events are being hosted within the arena.[4]
The arena also features and auxiliary practice basketball facility, athletic training, office and media facilities.
The Pete also hosts the University's commencement ceremony.
With the closing of Mellon Arena in 2010, the Pete is now the Pittsburgh home of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice and Champions on Ice.
In March 2011, a 19-year old man ran through a window at the arena and fell four stories. He died shortly afterwards.[8]
| Preceded by Sennott Square |
University of Pittsburgh Buildings Petersen Events Center Constructed: 2002 |
Succeeded by Pennsylvania Hall |
| Preceded by Fitzgerald Field House |
Home of the University of Pittsburgh Basketball Petersen Events Center 2002 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Payne Whitney Gymnasium |
Host of the Jeopardy! College Championship 2004 |
Succeeded by RBC Center |
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