JMU Convocation Center

{{Short description|Building in Virginia, United States}}

File:JMU Convocation Center, James Madison University.jpg

The JMU Convocation Center is a 6,426-seat multi-purpose arena in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The arena opened in 1982,{{cite news|url=https://www.whsv.com/content/sports/WHSV-Sports-Presents-The-history-of-the-JMU-Convocation-Center-568424541.html |title=WHSV Sports Presents: The history of the JMU Convocation Center |publisher=WHSV-TV |location=Harrisonburg, VA |date=March 3, 2020 |access-date=March 26, 2020}} and was home to the James Madison Dukes men's basketball and James Madison Dukes women's basketball teams through the 2019–20 season. It hosted the 1984 ECAC South men's basketball tournament (now known as the Colonial Athletic Association).{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/richmond/1984-schedule.html|title=1983-84 Richmond Spiders Schedule and Results|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}}

It was one of the rotating host venues for the CAA women's basketball tournament, having hosted the tournament six times since 1987.{{Cite web|url=https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/jmu-convocation-center-s686|title=JMU Convocation Center – James Madison Dukes {{!}} Stadium Journey|last=Terry|first=Aaron|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-26}} JMU's University Program Board (UPB) hosts concerts at the Convocation center each semester. Past concerts have included: The Kinks,{{Cite web|url=https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1304&context=i19801989|title=The Breeze Front Page, April 1 1985 (PDF)}} Third Eye Blind,{{Cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/upb-brings-s-band-third-eye-blind-to-the-convocation/article_fde04f43-9a39-58d8-b5c3-067744e010b9.html|title=UPB brings ‘90s band Third Eye Blind to the Convocation Center this fall|last=Breeze|first=The|website=The Breeze|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}} Jason Derulo, Wale,{{Cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/mash-up-magic/article_cb6961f9-b02d-5366-b34a-39979445e0c0.html|title=Mash-Up Magic|last=Breeze|first=The|website=The Breeze|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}} Wiz Khalifa,{{Cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/life/wiz-casts-hip-hop-spell-hip-hop-s-latest-mega/article_07672e34-5e53-11e0-a0e8-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Wiz casts hip-hop spell: Hip-hop’s latest mega-star Wiz Khalifa plays to adoring crowd at sold out Convocation Center|last=Peters|first=Kelsey|website=The Breeze|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}} Macklemore,{{Cite web|url=https://info.jmu.edu/blog/uu-news-261/|title=Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Take a "Victory Lap"|website=info.jmu.edu|access-date=2020-03-26}} and Big Sean.{{Cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/life/big-sean-sells-out-convocation-center-with-upb-spring-concert/article_91a5ee9c-dcca-11e4-9eee-132b262a4360.html|title=Big Sean sells out Convocation Center with UPB spring concert|last=Breeze|first=Holly Warfield {{!}} The|website=The Breeze|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}} The Convocation Center also hosts numerous other functions including the winter commencement ceremony.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whsv.com/content/news/JMU--566214091.html|title=JMU graduates largest December class|last=Hood|first=John|website=www.whsv.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}}

The Convocation Center hosted its last basketball games in February 2020. The Dukes moved into the 8,500-seat Atlantic Union Bank Center for the 2020–21 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnronline.com/news/harrisonburg/convo-center-has-been-jmu-s-hoop-haven/article_360247ab-5d6c-5876-9ed4-b8bde7efc544.html|title=Convo Center Has Been JMU's Hoop Haven|first=David |last=Driver |website=Daily News-Record|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}} The Convocation Center was converted into practice facilities and home court for the Dukes' Women's Volleyball team.{{cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/news/jmu-to-replace-convocation-center/article_6c9f1bf2-1ff6-11e7-bf72-e755e72c4991.html |title=JMU to replace Convocation Center |first=Ingrid |last=Basheda |newspaper=The Breeze |location=Harrisonburg, VA |date=April 13, 2017 |access-date=March 29, 2020}}