Prather Coliseum
{{Short description|Arena in Louisiana, United States}}
{{Infobox stadium
| stadium_name = Prather Coliseum
| logo_image =
| image = File:Prather Coliseum (Natchitoches, LA).jpg
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=15|type=point}}
| location = 220 S. Jefferson St., Natchitoches, LA 71457
| coordinates = {{Coord|31|44|38.5|N|93|05|42.6|W|type:landmark_region:US-LA|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground =
| built =
| opened = 1964
| expanded =
| renovated =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Northwestern State University
| operator = Northwestern State University
| surface = Multi-surface
| construction_cost =
| architect =
| structural engineer =
| tenants = Northwestern State Demons basketball
Northwestern State Lady Demons basketball
Northwestern State Lady Demons volleyball
| seating_capacity = 3,900
| website =
}}
Prather Coliseum is a 3,900-seat multi-purpose arena in Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States. It opened in 1964 and is home to the Northwestern State University Demons basketball team.[http://www.nsudemons.com/share/PollRecord.dbml Prather Coliseum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927170354/http://www.nsudemons.com/share/PollRecord.dbml |date=2011-09-27 }} at nsudemons.com, URL accessed November 17, 2009. [http://www.nsudemons.com/share/PollRecord.dbml Archived]{{dead link|date=August 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} 11/17/09 The arena also holds concerts and events. It was named in honor of the school's most successful basketball and football coach, H. Lee Prather, who served from the 1910s through the 1940s before becoming NSU President in 1951.
History
The coliseum is among projects credited to the late State Senator Sylvan Friedman of Natchitoches Parish. It opened two years before Friedman's retirement.[http://facilityuse.nsula.edu/friedman-student-union-2 Friedman Student Union] at facilityuse.nsula.edu, URL accessed November 17, 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20091027214848/http://facilityuse.nsula.edu/friedman-student-union-2 Archived] 11/17/09
Prather Coliseum is also known as the venue for the final concert performed by rock star Jim Croce on Thursday, September 20, 1973. Shortly after the concert, Croce's plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Natchitoches Regional Airport, killing him and all others aboard the plane.[http://www.vegasvalleycomputers.biz/music.htm Jim Croce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209211541/http://www.vegasvalleycomputers.biz/music.htm |date=2009-12-09 }} at vegasvalleycomputers.biz, URL accessed November 17, 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20091209211541/http://www.vegasvalleycomputers.biz/music.htm Archived] 11/17/09
The arena hosted the Southland Conference men's basketball tournament in 2005–06.[http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=95216&SPID=10825&temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=1426950 Northwestern State Wins Men's O'Reilly Auto Parts/SLC Tournament Title] at southland.org, URL accessed November 17, 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110613104831/http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=95216&SPID=10825&temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=1426950 Archived] 11/17/2009 Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball player Keiva Council set the single-game scoring record in the building with 48 points in an 84–80 Wolfpack victory over Northwestern State on November 25, 2011.
See also
References
{{Northwestern State Demons basketball navbox}}
{{Northwestern State University}}
{{Southland Conference basketball venue navbox}}
{{Louisiana NCAA Division I college basketball venue navbox}}
{{Music venues of Louisiana}}
Category:College basketball venues in Louisiana
Category:College volleyball venues in the United States
Category:Sports venues in Natchitoches, Louisiana
Category:Volleyball venues in Louisiana
Category:Northwestern State Demons basketball
Category:Northwestern State Lady Demons basketball
Category:Northwestern State Lady Demons volleyball
Category:Music venues in Louisiana
Category:Northwestern State University buildings and structures
Category:1964 establishments in Louisiana
Category:Sports venues completed in 1964
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