William L. White Auditorium
{{Short description|Multi-purpose arena in Kansas, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = William L. White Auditorium
| nickname = White Auditorium
| image = White Auditorium Logo.png
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=15|type=point}}
| location = 111 E. 6th Ave., Emporia, Kansas 66801 USA
| coordinates = {{coord|38.4053|N|96.1835|W |region:US-KS_type:landmark_scale:5000 |display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = 1940
| opened = 1941
| demolished =
| owner = The City of Emporia
| operator = The City of Emporia
| surface = Grade 1, one-inch thick, northern hardwood maple
| construction_cost = $613,375.17{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/10268224/?terms=Civic%2BAuditorium%2C%2Bemporia%2C%2Bks |title=4 May 1940, Page 19 - at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 4, 1940 |accessdate=November 19, 2015}}
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|613,375.17|1938}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect =
| former_names = Civic Auditorium
| tenants = Emporia State men's & women's basketball
Emporia State women's volleyball
KSHSAA (volleyball - October; basketball – March)
| seating_capacity = 5,000
}}
William L. White Auditorium, commonly known as White Auditorium, is a 5,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Emporia, Kansas. It is home to the Emporia State University men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the volleyball team.{{cite web|url=http://esuhornets.com/sports/2011/12/22/MBB_1222111134.aspx?&tab=3|title=About William L. White Auditorium |work=Emporia State University|accessdate=October 13, 2014}}
History
The Emporia Civic Auditorium's – as it was known from 1940 to 1973 – construction began to in December 1938.{{cite web|url=https://wlwarena.emporia-kansas.gov/index.php/history|title=History of WLW Arena|publisher=Emporia-KS.gov|accessdate=October 13, 2014}} On May 6, 1940, the City of Emporia kicked off a five-day "Fiestaval" to celebrate its opening.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/10267101/?terms=Civic%2BAuditorium%2C%2Bemporia%2C%2Bks |title=27 Apr 1940, Page 5 - at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=April 27, 1940 |accessdate=November 19, 2015}} In 1963, it was renamed to its current name, William L. White Auditorium, named after local newspaper owner, William Lindsay White, who was also the son of William Allen White.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/734222/?terms=White%2BAuditorium |title=2 Nov 1972, Page 7 - at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=November 2, 1972 |accessdate=November 19, 2015}}
In December 1940, the Teachers College basketball team began playing their home games at the Auditorium,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/10173830/?terms=Emporia%2BState%2Bbasketball%2BCivic%2BAuditorium |title=6 Jan 1941, Page 7 - at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=January 6, 1941 |accessdate=November 19, 2015}} and in 1974 for the Emporia State Lady Hornets basketball games have been played there as well. When the volleyball program was established in 1973, it began to play its home games in White Auditorium. The building also hosts the Kansas State High School Activities Association state basketball tournament since 1955.
Upgrades
During the 1994–95 basketball season, the Auditorium was renovated and bleacher seating was added to the south end of the court, expanding the seating capacity from 3,700 to 5,000. In 2008, White Auditorium went under renovation. A new color scheme was painted throughout the building, new scoreboards were added, the basketball court was refinished, and new seats replaced the wooden seats in the upper Auditorium.{{cite web|author=Brandy Nance |url=http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/article_2678f717-9f1e-542e-b4da-8078694d8859.html |title=Auditorium to get screen, scoreboards - Emporia Gazette: News |publisher=Emporia Gazette |date=July 17, 2008 |accessdate=November 19, 2015}}
=Slaymaker Court=
On February 20, 2013, the Emporia City Commission voted to name the floor of White Auditorium, Coach Slay, Ron Slaymaker Court, named after longtime men's basketball coach and ESU's winningest coach.{{cite web|url=http://www.esuhornets.com/news/2013/2/28/MBB_0228133948.aspx|title=Emporia City Commission Approves Ron Slaymaker Court at White Auditorium|work=Emporia State University|accessdate=October 13, 2014}} On February 28, 2013, one week later, during the halftime of the men's ESU-Washburn game, Ron Slaymaker, and his family, alongside ESU President Michael D. Shonrock, ESU Athletic Director Kent Weiser, and the Mayor of Emporia, Bobbi Mlynar, unveiled the design of Ron Slaymaker Court, debuting in the fall of 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.emporia.edu/alumni/spotlight/spring/2013/celebrating-coach-slay|title=Thursday, February 26, 2013 Celebration of Slaymaker Court at halftime of ESU v. Washburn Game|work=ESU Spotlight|accessdate=October 13, 2014}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Emporia State Lady Hornets basketball navbox}}
{{Emporia State University}}
{{Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association basketball venue navbox}}
Category:College basketball venues in Kansas
Category:Emporia State Hornets basketball