University Sports Complex

{{Short description|Multi-purpose arena in New Orleans, Louisiana}}

{{Infobox venue

| name = University Sports Complex

| nickname = The Den

| logo_image = Loyola_univ_athletics_wmark.png

| logo_size = 100

| image = University Sports Complex, Loyola University New Orleans - Campus entrance.jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption = Entrance to the complex

| type = Arena

| currentuse = Basketball
Volleyball
Swimming

| location = New Orleans, LA

| coordinates = {{coord|29|56|15.2|N|90|7|11.8|W|type:landmark_region:US-LA|display=inline,title}}

| broke_ground =

| built =

| opened = {{start date and age|1987}}

| expanded =

| renovated = 2017

| closed =

| demolished =

| owner = Loyola University New Orleans

| operator = Loyola University Athletics

| surface = Multi-surface

| construction_cost =

| architect =

| structural engineer =

| tenants = Loyola Wolf Pack (NAIA) teams:
basketball, volleyball, swimming

| seating_capacity = 500

| website =

}}

The University Sports Complex or The Den is a 500-seat multi-purpose arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, on the campus of Loyola University New Orleans.{{cite web|url=http://studentaffairs.loyno.edu/sports/about-intercollegiate-athletics-wellness|title=About Intercollegiate Athletics & University Sports Complex|publisher=loyno.edu|access-date=2018-01-12}} It was formerly called the Recreational Sports Complex or Rec Plex.

History

The facility opened in 1987 and was paid for with a donation from Freeport-McMoRan. The complex is located on the fifth and sixth floors of the Freret Street parking garage structure.{{cite book |last1=Martone|first1=Laura|title=Moon New Orleans|date=26 January 2016|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2La6CgAAQBAJ&q=university+sports+complex+loyola+new+orleans&pg=PT297|access-date=January 13, 2018|publisher=Avalon Publishing|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-1631211720|page=5}} It was built on the same site as the former Loyola Field House.

In 2017, the facility went through a major renovation, including new floor paint, new grandstands and more.{{cite web|url=http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/blog/2016/07/15/loyola-gets-1-5m-donation-for-sports-facility-renovation/|title=Loyola gets $1.5M donation for sports facility renovation|publisher=neworleanscitybusiness.com|access-date=2018-01-12}}{{cite web|url=https://www.loyolamaroon.com/10009975/sports/sports-complex-undergoes-renovations/|title=First NBC Bank and its donation of $1.5 million|publisher=The Maroon|access-date=2018-01-12}} The facility sustained major damage during Hurricane Ida in 2021 forcing the basketball teams to play across the street at Tulane University's Devlin Fieldhouse for portions of the 2021-2022 season.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-25 |title=Loyola New Orleans wins NAIA title for first national basketball championship in 77 years |url=https://catholicreview.org/loyola-new-orleans-wins-naia-title-for-first-national-basketball-championship-in-77-years/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Catholic Review |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=snoadmin |last2=Berniard |first2=Jabez |date=2021-09-29 |title=University Sports Complex prepared to reopen after storm damage |url=https://loyolamaroon.com/10032265/sports/university-sports-complex-prepared-to-reopen-after-storm-damage/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=The Maroon}}

Athletic teams

It is home to the Loyola Wolf Pack basketball, swimming, and volleyball teams (men's/women's in all cases).{{cite web|url=http://www.loyolawolfpack.com/facilities|title=Facilities|publisher=loyolawolfpack.com|access-date=2018-01-12}} The facility offers both men's and women's locker rooms for the teams. The facility also houses the offices for the Wolf Pack Athletics Department.

Recreational sports

The University Sports Complex also serves as the student recreation center.{{cite book |last1=Spencer|first1=Janet|title=Visiting College Campuses|date=April 2004|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VD2EW4FTSw0C&q=university+sports+complex+loyola+new+orleans&pg=PA129|access-date=January 13, 2018|publisher=The Princeton Review|location=Framingham, MA|isbn=9780375764004|page=139}} The facility offers multi-purpose courts used for badminton, basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. It also has a racquetball court, a six-lane Olympic-style pool, a suspended track, a weightlifting/conditioning area, a whirlpool, sauna and steam room.