Paul Porter Arena

{{short description|American university sports arena}}

{{Infobox venue

| name = Paul Porter Arena

| nickname =

| image = Paulporterarena.JPG

| caption = Women's Basketball Game in Paul Porter Arena

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|zoom=15|type=point}}

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| location = 110 S Main St, Shelby, NC 28017-9797

| coordinates = {{coord|35.246538|-81.669518|type:landmark_region:US-LA|display=inline,title}}

| broke_ground =

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| surface = Hardwood

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| capacity = 3,500

| tenants = Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (basketball and volleyball)

}}

Paul Porter Arena is a 3,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. It is home to the Gardner-Webb University Runnin' Bulldogs, of the Big South Conference.{{cite news |last=Hughes |first=Joe |url= https://www.shelbystar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2020/11/26/womenrsquos-hoops-despite-smithrsquos-dazzling-debut-gardner-webb-falls-flat-in-opener/115050414/ |title=WOMEN’S HOOPS: Despite Smith’s dazzling debut, Gardner-Webb falls flat in opener |work=The Shelby Star |date=November 25, 2020 |access-date=May 17, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Levitan |first=Jonathan |url= https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2020/11/gardner-webb-mens-basketball-preview |title=2020-21 Gardner Webb men's basketball preview |work=Duke Chronicle |date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=May 17, 2021}} The Arena was named in honor of Paul B. Porter who was a Board of Advisors Honorary Member and Lifetime Member. The arena is part of the Lutz Yelton Convocation Center (LYCC) a project that was completed in 1982 which houses the Dover Theater and Paul Porter Arena.{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Gerry |title=ESPN Sports Almanac 2004: The Definitive Sports Reference Book |publisher=Hyperion pg. 561 |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-7868-8716-3}}{{cite news |url= https://www.shelbystar.com/news/20190430/gwu-to-hold-spring-commencement-may-11 |title=GWU to hold spring commencement May 11 |work=The Shelby Star |date=April 30, 2019 |access-date=May 17, 2021}} Although primarily used for basketball and volleyball athletic events, the arena is also used for graduation ceremonies, orientation and the weekly dimensions program. The seating plan in the arena can also be altered, as all of the red seats can be folded and pushed back allowing for greater floor space. Additional floor seating can also be added for events such as graduation or orientation.