The Sam M. Vadalabene Center also known as the VC, is multi-purpose arena on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a capacity of 4,200. It is home to the Cougar basketball, volleyball, and wrestling team. The facility opened in 1984. Aside from its use in intercollegiate athletics, the facility is also a home to racquetball courts, a swimming pool, indoor tennis courts and an indoor track and wellness center. The Vadalabene Center also hosts the university's commencement ceremony, trade shows and concerts. In 2002, rapper Nelly played a concert at the venue, and in 2000, it hosted the Illinois High School Association class AA sectional semifinals and finals. Future NBA player Darius Miles led East St. Louis High School past Edwardsville High School in the championship game in front of a sell-out crowd.
The Vadalabene Center finished a $6 million renovation project in 2008 to coincide with SIUE's move to NCAA Division I. The facility underwent a complete overhaul, adding a new floor, a new bleacher system, classrooms, new restrooms, scoreboards and an upper level concourse. After one season playing on the new floor, it was ruined as rain from a heavy storm flooded the hardwood because an opening in the roof was not properly sealed during its replacement.
In May 2010, the Vadalabene Center was site to a Guiness World Record for most people clicking a pen at one time, despite attendance around 100 at the event.
Jason Holmes owns the arena record for most points scored in a game, with 43 on Nov. 20, 1993. SIUE's longest home winning streak at the Vadalabene Center is 21, between the 1985 and 1987 seasons. The largest crowd at the Arena was for a game between SIUE and Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Jan 1, 1987. SIUC won that game in overtime.
The largest crowd at the Vadalabene Center post-renovation was 3,652 on Nov. 15, 2009 against Illinois State University. SIUE won its first home game against a Division I opponent Dec. 14 2010 against Kennesaw State.
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