Frank Erwin Center

Frank Erwin Center
Construction
The Drum, The Superdrum


Full name	Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Special Events Center
Former names	Special Events Center (1977–1980)
Location	1701 Red River Street Austin, TX 78701-1438
Coordinates	30°16′37″N 97°43′56″W / 30.276958°N 97.732216°W / 30.276958; -97.732216Coordinates: 30°16′37″N 97°43′56″W / 30.276958°N 97.732216°W / 30.276958; -97.732216
Owner	University of Texas at Austin
Operator	University of Texas at Austin
Capacity	17,900 (center stage) (concert) 16,540 (basketball, 2013-present) 16,734 (basketball, 2009-2013) 16,755 (basketball, 2004-2009) 16,837 (basketball, 2003-2004) 16,079 (basketball, 2002-2003) 16,175 (basketball, 1995-2002) 16,231 (basketball, 1977-1995) 7,820 (theatre)
Record attendance	John Denver 17,829
Surface	Terrazzo Floor/Portable basketball floor/Portable turf
Broke ground	August 1974
Opened	November 29, 1977
Renovated	2001
Expanded	2003
Construction cost	$34 million (original) ($133 million in 2016 dollars^[1]) $55 million (renovations/expansion)
Architect	Wilson, Crain & Anderson Heery International (renovations/expansion)
Structural engineer	Walter P Moore^[2]
General contractor	H.A. Lott Inc.
Tenants
Texas Longhorns (NCAA) (1977–present) Austin Wranglers (AFL/af2) (2004–2008)

The Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Center (commonly known as Frank Erwin Center or UT Erwin Center and originally Special Events Center) is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas. It is also sometimes referred to as "The Drum" or "The Superdrum", owing to its round, drum-like appearance from outside (not to be confused with Big Bertha, the large bass drum used by the University of Texas marching band). The multi-purpose facility hosts entertainment events and is the home court for the UT men's and women's basketball programs.

History

The center, intended to replace Gregory Gymnasium, cost $34 million to build in 1977. The first event to play at the Center was a UT basketball game which occurred on November 29, 1977.^[3] UT began renovations of the center in 2001 and finished in 2003. Renovations included: Life safety upgrades, new concession stands and restrooms, elevator modernizations, addition of 28 suites, new scoreboard and indoor electronic video signs, addition of outdoor electronic video signs, and Lone Star Room (reception hall) renovations.

The building is named for former UT Board of Regents member Frank Erwin,^[4] who attended the University of Texas and was a member of the same fraternity, Kappa Sigma, as several other prominent alumni who have had buildings at the University named after them (such as Beauford Jester, Denton Cooley, William Hogg, and Harry Huntt Ransom). Originally known as the Special Events Center, the facility was renamed in 1980 to honor Erwin, who had died that same year.

Seating

A two-level layout (the lower arena and upper mezzanine) accommodates up to 16,755 spectators. The outer ring of the arena averages around 20 rows deep, while the mezzanine is slightly deeper at around 24 rows. The size of the arena's inner ring is highly dependent on the event being hosted.

Current use

Located right next to downtown Austin, Texas, The Erwin Center is generally accepted to be Austin's current premier venue for large public and private events. The center holds many diverse events ranging from concerts to wrestling events and private banquets. The Erwin Center also hosted the semifinals and finals of the University Interscholastic League boys' and girls' basketball playoffs in all five classifications until 2015, when the playoffs moved to San Antonio. The Erwin Center hosted the United States vs. Spain quarterfinal matches for the 2011 Davis Cup World Group. The Dell Medical Center, a $334 million proposed teaching hospital for the University, has identified the parking lot and Waller Creek area directly across from the Frank Erwin Center as Phase I of construction, with later phases calling for the demolition and relocation of the Frank Erwin Center.^[5]

Frank Erwin Center during a basketball game

Notable Events

On June 29, 1979, the Bee Gees played a concert as part of their Spirits Having Flown Tour.

On Wednesday, September 15, 2010, it played host to UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares.

On Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25, 2012, it played host to the Austin audition stages in the second season of the Fox singer search programme The X Factor.

Paul McCartney played there for two nights on May 22, 2013 and on May 23, 2013 as part of his Out There! Tour.

References

↑ Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
↑ "Arenas". Walter P Moore. Archived from the original on July 8, 2000. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
↑ "About the Erwin Center". University of Texas. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
↑ "University of Texas Facilities". Texas Sports. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
↑ "Dell Medical School Construction Plans Unveiled". University of Texas. May 8, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Frank Erwin Center.

The University of Texas at Austin

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Texas Longhorns men's basketball

Venues	Clark Field (1905–1917) Men's Gym (1917–1928) Gregory Gymnasium (1930–1977) Frank Erwin Center (1977–present) Denton A. Cooley Pavilion (practice; 2003–present)

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Premo-Porretta national championship in bold; NCAA Final Four appearances in italics

Basketball arenas of the Big 12 Conference

Ferrell Center (Baylor) Hilton Coliseum (Iowa State) Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas) Bramlage Coliseum (Kansas State) Lloyd Noble Center (Oklahoma) Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State) Schollmaier Arena (TCU) Frank Erwin Center (Texas) United Supermarkets Arena (Texas Tech) WVU Coliseum (West Virginia)

City of Austin

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Music venues of Texas

Outdoor venues	Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Gexa Energy Pavilion Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Selma Zilker Park

Theaters and clubs	AT&T Performing Arts Center Billy Bob's Texas Trees Dallas

Arenas	Frank Erwin Center Toyota Center United Spirit Arena American Airlines Center AT&T Center

Festivals	Austin City Limits Music Festival South by Southwest

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