Stony Brook Arena
{{Short description|Multi-purpose arena in Stony Brook, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Island Federal Arena
| nickname =
| logo_image =
| logo_caption =
| image = 300px
| caption = The exterior of Island Federal Arena
| fullname =
| former_names =
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=15|type=point}}
| location = 100 John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook, New York, 11790
| coordinates = {{Coord|40.91741|-73.125955|region:US_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground =
| built =
| opened = 1990
October 3, 2014 (re-opening)
| renovated = 2012–2014
| demolished =
| owner = State University of New York
| operator = Stony Brook University
| surface = Hardwood
| scoreboard =
| cost = $17 million
$21.1 million renovation
| architect =
| capacity = 4,160
| record_attendance =
| tenants = Stony Brook Seawolves (1990–2011, 2014–present)
| website = [https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/2016/8/25/facilities-ston-10-arena-html.aspx www.stonybrookathletics.com]
| former names = Stony Brook University Arena (1990–2014)
Island Federal Credit Union Arena (2014–2024)
}}
Stony Brook Arena is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Stony Brook, New York. It is the home of the Stony Brook Seawolves men's and women's basketball teams.
Originally built in 1990 as the Stony Brook University Arena, it underwent a $21.1 million renovation in 2012–14. Naming rights were sold to a regional credit union, Island Federal Credit Union.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sbstatesman.com/2014/10/30/corporate-partnership-gives-stony-brook-arena-a-new-name/|title=Corporate partnership gives Stony Brook Arena a new name|date=October 30, 2014|last=Eichenholz|first=Andrew|work=The Statesman|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203152225/http://www.sbstatesman.com/2014/10/30/corporate-partnership-gives-stony-brook-arena-a-new-name/|archive-date=2018-12-03}} From 2014 to 2024, it was known as Island Federal Arena (officially Island Federal Credit Union Arena).{{Cite web |last=Release |first=Press |title=SBU Sports: Men's basketball celebrates fourth consecutive victory {{!}} TBR News Media |date=December 23, 2021 |url=https://tbrnewsmedia.com/sbu-sports-mens-basketball-celebrates-fourth-consecutive-victory/ |access-date=2021-12-26 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-12-21 |title=Surprise Military Homecoming Creates Special Moment at December Commencement |url=https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/surprise-military-homecoming-creates-special-moment-at-december-commencement/ |access-date=2021-12-26 |website=SBU News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Genn |first=Adina |date=2021-11-04 |title=McInnis officially inaugurated as SBU's sixth president |url=https://libn.com/2021/11/04/mcinnis-officially-inaugurated-as-sbus-sixth-president/ |access-date=2021-12-26 |work=Long Island Business News |language=en-US}} The Island Federal Arena has hosted the America East Conference men's basketball tournament finals in 2012 and 2016, as well as the NBA G League Finals in 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2012/03/11/stony-brook-loses-america-east-final/|title=Stony Brook loses America East final|last=Kussoy|first=Howie|date=2012-03-11|work=New York Post|access-date=2018-12-02|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2016/3/12/Seawolves_punch_ticket_to_NCAA_tournament_with_80_74_win_over_Vermont.aspx|title=Seawolves punch ticket to NCAA tournament with 80-74 win over Vermont|work=Stony Brook University Athletics|access-date=2018-12-02|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.netsdaily.com/2019/4/7/18299209/long-island-nets-begin-quest-for-g-league-title-sunday|title=Long Island Nets begin quest for G League title Sunday|last=Milholen|first=Chris|date=2019-04-07|website=NetsDaily|access-date=2019-04-08}}
It contains four scoreboards and two video boards, plus four luxury suites with 16 seats each.{{Cite web|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/2016/8/25/facilities-ston-10-arena-html.aspx|title=Island Federal Credit Union Arena|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-02}} It is also used for concerts, trade shows, conventions, graduations, and other special events.
History
The Stony Brook University Arena opened in 1990 at a construction cost of $17 million. It served as the West Wing for the Stony Brook Indoor Sports Complex.
In April 2008, Stony Brook announced plans to renovate its arena.{{Cite news|url=https://americaeast.com/news/2008/4/15/1440370.aspx|title=Stony Brook Unveils Plans to Renovate Basketball Arena|website=americaeast.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-17}} A $21.1 million renovation of the Stony Brook University Arena was announced with $20 million provided by the State of New York and an additional $1 million provided by private donations.{{Cite news|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2012/5/21/Stony_Brook_commences_21_1_million_Stony_Brook_Arena_renovation.aspx|title=Stony Brook commences $21.1 million Stony Brook Arena renovation|work=Stony Brook University Athletics|access-date=2018-12-02|language=en-US}} It included a seating capacity for 4,008 spectators, four luxury boxes and a VIP lounge area at the loge level with premium courtside seating. During the renovations, both basketball teams played at Pritchard Gymnasium, which like the Island Federal Credit Union Arena, is part of the Stony Brook Sports Complex.{{Cite news|url=https://americaeast.com/news/2008/4/15/1440370.aspx|title=Stony Brook Unveils Plans to Renovate Basketball Arena|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en}}
During the arena's renovation, the basketball court was rotated 90 degrees from its original angle, and the seating bowl was built around it.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbstatesman.com/2014/09/24/stony-brook-arena-serves-as-new-home-for-athletics/|title=Stony Brook Arena serves as new home for Athletics|last=Eichenholz|first=Andrew|website=The Statesman|date=September 25, 2014|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408004113/https://www.sbstatesman.com/2014/09/24/stony-brook-arena-serves-as-new-home-for-athletics/|archive-date=2019-04-08}} The old arena contained gaps in the seating bowl, and the renovation faced challenges due to the physical limitations of the original structure.
The renovation of the arena was completed in 2014. On October 3, 2014, the arena officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.{{Cite web|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2014/10/3/stony_brook_university_arena_ribbon_cutting_a_slam_dunk.aspx|title=Stony Brook University Arena ribbon cutting a slam dunk|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|date=October 3, 2014 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-17}} The first official general public event to take place at the newly renovated arena was a Harlem Globetrotters game.{{Cite web|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2014/8/6/harlem_globetrotters_to_open_stony_brook_arena_with_pair_of_shows_october_4.aspx|title=Harlem Globetrotters to open Stony Brook Arena with pair of shows October 4|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|date=August 6, 2014 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-17}} The arena hosted its first home basketball game on November 14, 2014, and Stony Brook defeated Columbia 57–56 on a game-winning layup.{{Cite web|last=Logan|first=Greg|date=May 19, 2012|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/college/stony-brook/stony-brook-to-begin-21-1m-arena-renovation-1.3728108|title = SBU to begin $21.1M arena renovation|work=Newsday|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520144638/http://www.newsday.com/sports/college/stony-brook/stony-brook-to-begin-21-1m-arena-renovation-1.3728108|archive-date=2012-05-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2014/11/14/McGrew_s_game_winner_opens_Seawolves_season_and_new_arena_with_a_bang.aspx|title=McGrew's game-winner opens #Seawolves season and new arena with a bang|work=Stony Brook University Athletics|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-US}}
On October 28, 2014, it was announced that Stony Brook had reached a deal with Island Federal Credit Union to purchase naming rights to the arena for $7 million.
Island Federal Arena served as the home court for the Long Island Nets during the 2019 NBA G League Finals due to conflicts with the Nets' home arena, the Nassau Coliseum.
During the summer of 2019, Island Federal Arena renovated its court, which previously featured the interlocking "SB" logo at mid-court. The new court contains the Seawolves' logo at mid-court, with a silhouette of Long Island that spans the entire length of the floor.{{Cite web|last=Brookland|date=2019-08-07|title=Exclusive: Feast your eyes on Stony Brook's new basketball court|url=https://brook.land/exclusive-feast-your-eyes-on-stony-brooks-new-basketball-court-e3addb3e026e|access-date=2020-09-28|website=Medium|language=en}}
In May 2024, Stony Brook announced that the 2024–25 season would be the last year under the Island Federal Arena name, with the original naming rights contract set to expire and Island Federal opting not to renew the deal.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-03 |title=Stony Brook Engages Van Wagner for New Naming Rights Partner |url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2024/5/9/general-stony-brook-engages-van-wagner-sports-and-entertainment-for-new-naming-rights-partner.aspx |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Stony Brook University Athletics |language=en}}
Other events
Island Federal Arena has also hosted numerous concerts since its 1990 opening as the Stony Brook University Arena. The first concert hosted in the venue was Bob Dylan in 1991. It would not host another concert until 2000 when Sleater-Kinney became the first music act to play the arena in nine years. Concerts in the 2000s were sparse, with only 3 Doors Down & Oleander (2000), Sugar Ray (2001), Kanye West (2004), and Jimmy Eat World & Taking Back Sunday (2005) headlining during the decade.{{Cite web|date=2020|title=Stony Brook University Concert History|url=https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/libspecial/archives/SBU%20Archives_%20Concert%20Inventory%20-%20SBU%20Archives_%20Concerts%20by%20Date.pdf|website=University Archives, Stony Brook University}}
Since the arena's rebranding as Island Federal Arena, Lupe Fiasco, 3lau, B.o.B, Twenty-One Pilots, Panic! at the Disco, Walk the Moon, Timeflies, Cash Cash, Future, Fetty Wap, Post Malone, 21 Savage, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, A$AP Ferg and Aminé have headlined concerts.{{Cite web|date=2020|title=Stony Brook University Concert History|url=https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/libspecial/archives/SBU%20Archives_%20Concert%20Inventory%20-%20SBU%20Archives_%20Concerts%20by%20Date.pdf|website=University Archives, Stony Brook University}}
Stony Brook University's winter graduation ceremonies take place at Island Federal Arena.{{Cite web|date=2019-12-13|title=Winter Commencement Ceremony Takes Place December 20 {{!}}|url=https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/winter-commencement-ceremony-takes-place-december-20/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=SBU News|language=en-US}}
Speakers include Supreme Court associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, author Janet Mock and designer Joshua Davis have held talks at Island Federal Arena.{{Cite web|last=Clukey|first=Keshia|date=October 14, 2018|title=Supreme Court justice to speak at Stony Brook|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/sotomayor-supreme-court-stony-brook-1.21958488|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Newsday|language=en|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215013149/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/sotomayor-supreme-court-stony-brook-1.21958488|archive-date=2022-02-15}}{{Cite web|last=Brown|first=Maya|date=2019-10-20|title=Janet Mock, transgender rights activist, speaks about living authentically|url=https://www.sbstatesman.com/2019/10/20/janet-mock-transgender-rights-activist-speaks-about-living-authentically/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=The Statesman|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215013640/https://www.sbstatesman.com/2019/10/20/janet-mock-transgender-rights-activist-speaks-about-living-authentically/|archive-date=2022-02-15}}
Gallery
File:IslandFederalArena UMBC.jpg|Island Federal Arena in 2020
File:Island Federal Arena UMBC.jpg|Island Federal Arena in 2020
File:Jameel Warney at Stony Brook University, Retired Number.jpg|Jameel Warney's retired number in the rafters
File:SBU NCAA banner.jpeg|Banner commemorating Stony Brook's first NCAA Tournament berth
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20141109012837/http://www.stonybrookathletics.com/stonybrookarena/ Island Federal Credit Union Arena at stonybrookathletics.com]
{{Stony Brook Seawolves men's basketball navbox}}
{{Stony Brook Seawolves women's basketball navbox}}
{{Colonial Athletic Association basketball venue navbox}}
Category:Stony Brook University buildings and structures
Category:Sports venues in Suffolk County, New York
Category:Stony Brook Seawolves basketball
Category:1990 establishments in New York (state)