Western Hall
{{Short description|Multi-purpose arena in Macomb, Illinois}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Western Hall
| nickname =
| image =
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=15|type=point}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|40.471589|-90.685201|type:landmark|display=it}}
| location = Macomb, Illinois
| publictransit = Go West Transit
| broke_ground =
| opened = 1964
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Western Illinois University
| operator = Western Illinois Athletics
| surface = Hardwood
| construction_cost =
| architect =
| former_names =
| tenants = Western Illinois Leathernecks (NCAA)
| seating_capacity = 5,139
}}
LeRoy A. Ufkes Court at Western Hall is a 5,139-seat multi-purpose arena in Macomb, Illinois. It was built in 1964. It is home to the Western Illinois University Leathernecks men's{{cite web |url=http://www.goleathernecks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=12000&ATCLID=623296 |title=Western Hall - The Official Athletics Site of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks |website=www.goleathernecks.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410062408/http://www.goleathernecks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=12000&ATCLID=623296 |archive-date=2014-04-10}} and women'shttp://www.goleathernecks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=12000&ATCLID=205342493 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} basketball teams and the women's volleyball team.{{Cite web |url=http://www.goleathernecks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12000&ATCLID=623348 |title=Waste Management Court at Western Hall & Sport Court at Brophy Hall - the Official Athletics Site of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks |access-date=2013-03-03 |archive-date=2012-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611222713/http://www.goleathernecks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12000&ATCLID=623348 |url-status=dead }}
History and features
Completed in 1964, its stadium-style seats, combined with bleachers in the upper levels, accommodate 5,139 fans surrounding the maple wood floor.
The playing surface in Western Hall has undergone several changes in its history. Originally a wooden floor, the regulation-size court was replaced with a tartan floor in 1973 and, prior to the 1993-94 basketball season, upgraded with a parquet floor similar to that in the old Boston Garden. In 2014, the parquet floor was replaced with a maple wood floor. The court is surrounded by a Chem-turf jogging track.
The building underwent massive construction in 1997 with the addition of the $8 million Student Recreation Center to its south. The SRC serves as host to all intramural and club sports, and houses a swimming pool, racquetball courts, suspended jogging track and state-of-the-art exercise equipment.
In the summer of 1999, the court received a face lift with a new floor design featuring Rocky, the WIU mascot, and it was refinished during the summer of 2000.
The latest addition to Western Hall, a new training facility for all WIU athletic programs and locker room for the Leatherneck football program which was added onto the East Arena, was completed in July 2000.
Events
Besides serving as the home for varsity basketball and volleyball, Western Hall houses numerous athletic and physical education activities and many major Bureau of Cultural Affairs events, including concerts, musicals and multi-cultural entertainment events for all ages. One of the highlights of the 1999-2000 BCA season was an appearance by Bill Cosby.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://goleathernecks.com/sports/2014/6/6/facilities_0606144658.aspx?id=28 Western Hall - The Official Athletics Site of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks]
{{Western Illinois Leathernecks men's basketball navbox}}
{{Western Illinois University}}
{{Ohio Valley Conference basketball venue navbox}}
{{Illinois NCAA Division I college basketball venue navbox}}
Category:College basketball venues in Illinois
Category:College volleyball venues in the United States
Category:Volleyball venues in Illinois
Category:Western Illinois Leathernecks basketball
Category:Western Illinois Leathernecks sports venues
Category:1964 establishments in Illinois
Category:Sports venues completed in 1964
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