UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena

Coordinates: 43°2′32″N 87°55′1″W / 43.04222°N 87.91694°W / 43.04222; -87.91694

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Construction
Exterior of venue (c.2010)
Former names	Milwaukee Arena (1950–74) MECCA Arena (1974–95) Wisconsin Center Arena (1995–2000) U.S. Cellular Arena (2000–14)
Location	400 W Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Owner	Wisconsin Center District
Capacity	12,700 (maximum) 10,783 (basketball) 9,500 (indoor soccer) 9,652 (Hockey)
Broke ground	November 3, 1948^[1]
Opened	April 9, 1950^[2]
Renovated	1998, 2016
Construction cost	US$7.6 million ($75.8 million in 2016 dollars^[3])
Architect	Eschweiler & Eschweiler
General contractor	Hunzinger Construction Co.^[4]
Tenants
Milwaukee Hawks (NBA) (1951–1955) Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) (1968–1988) Marquette Warriors (NCAA) (1974–1988) Milwaukee Admirals (IHL/AHL) (1977–1988, 2016–present) Milwaukee Does (WPBL) (1978–1980) Milwaukee Wave (MASL) (1984–1988, 2003–present) Milwaukee Panthers (NCAA) (1992–1998, 2003–present) Brewcity Bruisers (WFTDA) (2005–present) Milwaukee Bonecrushers (CIFL) (2008–2009) Green Bay Chill (LFL) (2014)

The UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (originally the Milwaukee Arena and formerly MECCA Arena) is an indoor arena located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The arena, which seats as many as 12,700 people and offers 41,000 feet of floor space, is part of a larger downtown campus, that includes the Milwaukee Theatre and Wisconsin Center.

The arena was part of the MECCA Complex from 1974 until the 1995 opening of the Midwest Express Center.

History

It opened in 1950 and was one of the first to accommodate the needs of broadcast television. It was folded into MECCA (The Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena) when the complex opened in 1974. It is also known for its former unique basketball court painted by Robert Indiana in 1978, with large rainbow 'M's taking up both half-courts representing Milwaukee.

Since the 1960s, the Arena has held a number of concerts by high-profile performers. On September 4, 1964, The Beatles played their only Milwaukee concert, at the Arena, to a sold-out crowd of screaming fans. Folk-rock icon Bob Dylan played a two-night stand there in mid-October as part of his Fall 1981 tour.

It was home to the Milwaukee Hawks (1951–55) and the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA (1968 to 1988), and hosted the 1977 NBA All-Star Game before an audience of 10,938. The venue was also home to Marquette University's men's basketball team along with the International Hockey League Milwaukee Admirals. These teams all moved to the BMO Harris Bradley Center upon the newer arena's opening in 1988.

In 1994, the Wisconsin Center District (WCD), a state organization, was created in order to fund the Midwest Express Center, and, in 1995 the MECCA complex was folded into this, including the Arena (the BMO Harris Bradley Center is owned by a separate authority). Following a major overhaul in 1998, the arena is now home to the Milwaukee Wave of the Major Indoor Soccer League (including the 2006 MISL All-Star game) and is the Milwaukee venue for Disney on Ice. It has also hosted professional wrestling events, including WCW SuperBrawl II in 1992, WWF King of the Ring 1996, WCW Clash of the Champions in 1997, WWF Over the Edge in 1998 and WCW Mayhem in 2000. It was at the forementioned King Of The Ring card where "Stone Cold" Steve Austin first uttered his now-famous "Austin 3:16" catchphrase.

The WCD added the Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame alongside the U.S. Cellular Arena in 2001. At the end of this public promenade is a Wisconsin Historical Marker noting the location where Christopher Sholes invented the first practical typewriter, featuring the QWERTY keyboard layout.

As the MECCA, the building hosted the 1984 NCAA Mideast first and second-round games. The U.S. Cellular Arena also hosted all or part of every Horizon League men's basketball conference tournament from 2003 to 2011.

In 2008 and 2009, it was home to the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League.^[5]

On August 7, 2010, the arena hosted an Arena Football League playoff game between the Milwaukee Mustangs and the Chicago Rush. The Iron played its 2010 regular season home games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, but the ongoing installation of the new center court scoreboard in that venue forced the home playoff games to be played at the U.S. Cellular Arena, where the Milwaukee Mustangs would go on to win.

It is also home to the Brewcity Bruisers roller derby league.

Milwaukee Panthers connection and renaming

The arena has been the home of the Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball team at three different times—first from 1993 to 1998, then from 2003 to 2012, and since 2013. The Panthers played their 2012–2013 home games at the 3,500-seat Klotsche Center on UWM's east side campus. The move generated complaints from some Panthers fans and attendance lagged as the team limped to its worst record since the 1990s. After Amanda Braun was named UWM's athletic director in March 2013, she said she would re-examine the decision to move games from the U.S. Cellular Arena. In July 2013, UWM officials reached a 5-year contract with the arena owner, Wisconsin Center District, that runs through the 2017–2018 season.^[6]

U.S. Cellular's naming rights expired on May 31, 2014, and they did not renew their contract.^[7] On June 26, 2014, it was announced that the Arena would be renamed the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena, as part of an agreement which would run at least through 2024, with UWM having an option to extend it through 2029.^[8] The deal additionally makes the arena officially the major site for UWM events such as graduation ceremonies, a role it had already taken for years before.

Milwaukee Bonecrushers' Quarterback Ryan Maiuri taking a snap against the Chicago Slaughter on March 21, 2008 at U.S. Cellular Arena.

In August 2015, it was revealed that the Milwaukee Admirals were possibly considering moving back to UWM Panther Arena in the next few seasons. Their current home, BMO Harris Bradley Center, is set to be replaced by the new Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, and the Admirals have not expressed any interest of moving into the arena, and in fact, have said they are actually against moving into it. Logically, the move could make sense for a few reasons: more open scheduling dates, the chance to actually share in arena operations rather than just being a tenant, and more marketing in the arena, which they are hardly able to do in Bradley Center. Moreover, Panther Arena's operators have said they would welcome the Admirals moving into the arena.

On March 16, 2016, it was announced the Admirals signed a 10-year lease with a 5-year mutual extension. Also included on the deal was $2.3 million for upgrades to the arena.

On June 10, 2017, the Milwaukee Bucks announced, as part of celebrating the Bucks' 50th season in the NBA, the team will play one regular season game during the 2017-2018 season at the Arena.^[9]

Seating capacity

The seating capacity for basketball has changed as follows:

Years	Capacity
1950–1961	11,046^[10]
1961–1968	11,138^[11]
1968–1973	10,746^[12]
1973–1980	10,938^[13]
1980–1998	11,052^[14]
1998–2004	11,358^[15]
2004–present	10,783^[16]

References

↑ Jones, Robert F. (April 10, 1960). "Arena Opening in 1950 Like Dream Come True". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 9. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ On This Day in Wisconsin History
↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
↑ "Arena Bonds Draw Only One Bid; Offer Rejected". Milwaukee Journal. December 16, 1948. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
↑ Walker, Don (July 17, 2007). "Arena Football is Back in Milwaukee". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
↑ Kirchen, Rich (July 15, 2015). "UWM men's basketball returning to U.S. Cellular Arena". The Business Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
↑ Michele, Michele. "Name change in the works for US Cellular Arena". Retrieved 2014-05-27.
↑ Walker, Don. "Former U.S. Cellular Arena to be named for UWM Panthers" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel June 26, 2014
↑ "“Return to the MECCA:” Milwaukee Bucks to play game at Panther Arena for 50th Anniversary". Fox 6 News. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
↑ Breslin, Jimmy (February 19, 1959). "Hawks Too Big In St. Louis So Hickey Lifts Marquette". Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. p. 9. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ Bledsoe, Terry (December 26, 1962). "Luncheon, Clinic Are Extras For Classic Tournament Fans". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ Kupper, Mike (February 26, 1970). "MU to Set Record, Despite New Math". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ "Seating At Arena Increased To 10,938". The Milwaukee Journal. August 23, 1973. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ "Arena Will Get 114 More Seats". The Milwaukee Sentinel. September 25, 1980. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ Dabe, Christopher (January 3, 2004). "Eagles Anxious to Put Down Roots". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ "Panthers Open Home Slate With Upper Iowa". UW-Milwaukee Athletics. November 20, 2005. Retrieved March 5, 2013.

Admirals sign 10-year lease http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/03/16/admirals-panther-arena-owner-plan-6-3-million-in.html?ana=twt

External links

Official Site

Events and tenants
Preceded by Wharton Field House	Home of the Milwaukee Hawks 1951–1955	Succeeded by Kiel Auditorium
Preceded by first arena	Home of the Milwaukee Bucks 1968–1988	Succeeded by BMO Harris Bradley Center
Preceded by The Spectrum	Host of the NBA All-Star Game 1977	Succeeded by Omni Coliseum

Atlanta Hawks
Founded in 1946 Formerly the Buffalo Bisons (1946) and the Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1946–1951); played in Milwaukee (1951–1955) and St. Louis (1955–1968) Based in Atlanta, Georgia
Franchise	Franchise All-time roster Draft history Seasons Head coaches Current season
Arenas	Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Wharton Field House Milwaukee Arena Kiel Auditorium St. Louis Arena Alexander Memorial Coliseum Omni Coliseum Lakefront Arena Georgia Dome Philips Arena
G League affiliate	Erie BayHawks
NBA Championships (1)	1958
Conference Championships (4)	1957 1958 1960 1961
Retired numbers	9 21 23 44 55 Ted Turner (Hawks Logo)
Lore	The Human Highlight Film Pistol Pete Phantom Buzzer Game
Media	TV Peachtree TV FS South Fox Sports Southeast Radio 790 The Zone Announcers Bob Rathbun Dominique Wilkins Steve Holman

Milwaukee Bucks
Founded in 1968 Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Franchise	Franchise 1968 Expansion Draft All-time roster Draft history Seasons Records Head coaches Current season
Arenas	MECCA Arena BMO Harris Bradley Center Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center (planned for 2018)
General managers	Erickson Embry Nelson D. Harris Dunleavy Weinhauer Grunfeld L. Harris Hammond Horst
G League affiliate	Wisconsin Herd
Administration	Owner Wesley Edens & Marc Lasry General Manager Vacant Head Coach Jason Kidd
Retired numbers	1 2 4 10 14 16 32 33
Hall of Famers	Lew Alcindor Nate Archibald Dave Cowens Wayne Embry Alex English Bob Lanier Moses Malone Oscar Robertson
NBA Championships (1)	1971
Conference Championships (2)	1971 1974
Division titles (13)	1971 1972 1973 1974 1976 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 2001
Culture & lore	The Big O Bango The Fastest Expansion Champion MECCA Court Fear the Deer
Media	TV Fox Sports Wisconsin Jim Paschke (play-by-play) Gus Johnson (part-time play-by-play) Jon McGlocklin (color) Marques Johnson (part-time color) Radio WTMJ Ted Davis Dennis Krause

Milwaukee Admirals
Founded in 1970 Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Franchise	History Records Players Current season All articles
Arenas	UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena BMO Harris Bradley Center
Coaches	Claude Noel Lane Lambert Kirk Muller Ian Herbers Dean Evason
Rivalries	Chicago Wolves Iowa Wild Rockford IceHogs
Calder Cup	2004
Affiliates	Nashville Predators (NHL) Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)

Milwaukee Mustangs

Formerly the Milwaukee Iron
Founded in 2009
Folded in 2013
Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Franchise

Arenas

The Bradley Center
U.S. Cellular Arena (playoffs)

Head coaches

Playoff appearances (1)

2010

Division championships (1)

2010

Current league affiliations

League: Arena Football League
Conference: American Conference
Division: East Division

Retired numbers

Seasons (4)
2000s	2009
2010s	2010 2011 2012

Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball
Venues	Marquette Gymnasium (1922–1974) Milwaukee Arena (1974–1988) BMO Harris Bradley Center (1988–present) Al McGuire Center (practice)
Culture & lore	"Ring Out Ahoya" "Jump Around Guy"
People	Head coaches NBA players
Seasons	1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17
NCAA national championship in bold; NCAA Final Four appearances in italics

Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball
Venues	Baker Fieldhouse (1956–1977) J. Martin Klotsche Center (1977–1992) U.S. Cellular Arena (1992–1998) J. Martin Klotsche Center (1998–2003) U.S. Cellular Arena (2003–2012) Klotsche Center (2012–2013) UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (2013–present)
Rivalries	Rivalry records
Culture & lore	History
People	Head coaches
Seasons	1896–97 1897–98 1898–99 1899–00 1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17

Basketball arenas of the Horizon League

Wolstein Center (Cleveland State)
Calihan Hall (Detroit)
Resch Center (Green Bay, men's)
Kress Events Center (Green Bay, women's)
Indiana Farmers Coliseum (IUPUI, men's)
The Jungle (IUPUI, women's)
UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (Milwaukee, men's)
Klotsche Center (Milwaukee, women's)
BB&T Arena (Northern Kentucky)
Athletics Center O'rena (Oakland)
UIC Pavilion (UIC)
Nutter Center (Wright State)
Beeghly Center (Youngstown State)

Current arenas in the American Hockey League

Eastern
Conference

Atlantic	Dunkin' Donuts Center Giant Center MassMutual Center Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza PPL Center Webster Bank Arena XL Center
North	Blue Cross Arena Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena Oncenter War Memorial Arena Place Bell Ricoh Coliseum Utica Memorial Auditorium Yardmen Arena

Western
Conference

Central	Allstate Arena Bell MTS Place BMO Harris Bank Center Bojangles' Coliseum Quicken Loans Arena UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Van Andel Arena Wells Fargo Arena
Pacific	AT&T Center Citizens Business Bank Arena H-E-B Center Rabobank Arena SAP Center at San Jose Stockton Arena Valley View Casino Center Tucson Convention Center

Venues of the Legends Football League
Eastern Conference	Infinite Energy Arena Royal Farms Arena Huntington Center Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Ralston Arena
Western Conference	Citizens Business Bank Arena Orleans Arena ShoWare Center Sears Centre Arena UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena
LFL Canada	Abbotsford Centre Brandt Centre SaskTel Centre Stampede Corral
LFL Australia	AAMI Park nib Stadium Skilled Stadium Centrebet Stadium Penrith
Former venues	BB&T Center CFE Arena Citrus Bowl Cotton Bowl Dick's Sporting Goods Park FIU Stadium Hard Rock Live Hershey Centre Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Quicken Loans Arena QuikTrip Park Resch Center Ricoh Coliseum Sovereign Center Sun National Bank Center Tampa Bay Times Forum Target Center Thomas & Mack Center Toyota Park Valley View Casino Center

Current arenas in the Major Arena Soccer League
Eastern Division	Royal Farms Arena RP Funding Center New Holland Arena Oncenter War Memorial Arena
Central Division	U.S. Cellular Center Sears Centre UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Silverstein Eye Centers Arena Family Arena
Southwest Division	Unidad Deportiva Tijuana El Paso County Coliseum Allen Event Center Centro de Usos Multiples
Pacific Division	Citizens Business Bank Arena Valley View Casino Center ShoWare Center Turlock Soccer Complex

Current venues in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association
East region	Abe Stark Rink Aleppo Shriners Auditorium Class of 1923 Arena D.C. Armory Dorton Arena Du Burns Arena Earls Court Exhibition Centre Greater Richmond Convention Haygood Skating Center Inline Skating Club of America Independence Family Fun Center John F. Kennedy Memorial Coliseum John Jay Doghouse Kennedy Arena Overlook Activities Center Portland Exposition Building Rhode Island Convention Center Rainbow Rink Romp'n Roll Roller Skating Rink Skate Safe America Sports Centre at MCC Le Taz
West region	1stBank Center Albuquerque Convention Center Bladium Castle Sports Club Colorado Springs City Auditorium Everett Community College KeyArena Lane County Fairgrounds Portland Expo Center Roller King Roseville Salt Palace Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium ShoWare Center Skateland Sport Center of Las Vegas TISC Veterans Memorial Auditorium
North Central region	Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Alliant Energy Center The Bunker Central Ohio Roller Hockey Cincinnati Gardens Dave Andreychuk Arena Detroit Masonic Temple Indiana Farmers Coliseum Indiana Convention Center Midwest Sport Hockey Complex Minneapolis Convention Center Rivertown Sports Roy Wilkins Auditorium Sioux Falls Expo Building Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum Swonder Ice Arena UIC Pavilion UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Wolstein Center
South Central region	Austin Convention Center Bayou Music Center Fair Park Coliseum Knoxville Civic Coliseum Mid-America Center MidSouth Fairgrounds Municipal Auditorium North Florida Fairgrounds NYTEX Sports Centre Pershing Center Rollercade Starlight Skatium Tennessee State Fairground Sports Arena Tulsa Convention Center UNO Human Performance Center USA Skateplex Von Braun Center Wichita Ice Center Yaarab Shrine Center

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