| Roberts Municipal Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Location | Evansville, Indiana |
| Broke ground | 1955 |
| Opened | 1956 |
| Owner | City of Evansville |
| Operator | SMG |
| Construction cost |
1956: $2 million |
| Architect | Robert Legeman |
| Capacity |
concert: 12,732 |
| Tenants | |
| Purple Aces (NCAA) (1956–2011) Evansville BlueCats (UIF) (2005–2007) Evansville BlueCats (NIFL) (2003–2005) Evansville Thunder (CBA) (1984–1986) |
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Roberts Municipal Stadium is a multi-use arena in Evansville, Indiana for sports, public events, and concerts. The arena was built in 1956. It seats up to 12,732 spectators and features four locker rooms and a press room.
The arena received a $16 million dollar upgrade in 1990. In 2007 the city of Evansville hired a professional consultant to examine whether the stadium should be renovated or replaced with a new downtown arena.[1] In December 2008, the Evansville city council approved plans to construct the new arena, which is set to open in fall of 2011 as the Ford Center.[2]
It is co-managed with Mesker Amphitheatre, The Centre, and Victory Theatre.
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The sports arena seats 12,500 for basketball. It was the home of the University of Evansville's Purple Aces basketball program from its opening in 1956 until the Aces moved downtown into the new Ford Center in 2011.
From 1957 to 1977, Roberts Stadium served as the host site for the NCAA College Division (now referred to as Division II) Men's Basketball National Championship.[3] It again hosted the "Elite 8" in 2002. In addition, it regularly hosts a variety of other sporting events, most notably the Great Lakes Valley Conference (NCAA Division II) men's and women's basketball tournaments in early March of every year. It also hosted the 1980 and 1983 Midwestern City Conference (now Horizon League) men's basketball conference tournament.
From 1984 to 1986, Roberts Stadium was home to the Evansville Thunder of the Continental Basketball Association, who were coached in 1984 by Utah Jazz Coach, and University of Evansville alumni Jerry Sloan.
From 2003 to 2007 Roberts was also home to the Evansville BlueCats of the National Indoor Football League from 2003–2005 and the United Indoor Football league from 2005-2007.
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