Dean Smith Center
The Dean Dome, Dean E. Smith Center, & The Smith Center | |
Full name | Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center |
---|---|
Address | 300 Skipper Bowles Drive |
Location | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
Coordinates | 35°53′59″N 79°2′38″W / 35.89972°N 79.04389°W |
Owner | University of North Carolina |
Operator | University of North Carolina |
Capacity | 21,750 |
Surface | Hardwood |
Construction | |
Broke ground | April 17, 1982[1] |
Opened | January 18, 1986 |
Renovated | 2005, 2018 |
Expanded | 1992, 2000 |
Construction cost | $33.8 million ($94 million in 2023 dollars[2]) |
Architect | Hakan/Corley & Associates[3][4] Finch-Heery[5] |
Structural engineer | Geiger Berger[5] |
Services engineer | Henderson Engineers, Inc.[6] |
General contractor | Paul Howard Construction[5] |
Tenants | |
North Carolina Tar Heels (NCAA) Men's basketball (1986–present) Women's basketball (2008–2010) |
The Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center (commonly known as the Dean Smith Center, Smith Center, or the Dean Dome) is a multi-purpose
Land was cleared in a wooded ravine on the southern part of campus and necessitated 20,000 cubic yards (15,000 m3) of rock to be dynamited out. The building is 300,000 square feet (28,000 m2) and build on 8 acres (3.2 ha) and contains three levels. There are two levels for seating, an upper and lower level, from which the furthest viewing distance is 675 feet (206 m). The Dean Dome has been renovated several times since its opening which has included the likes of new video boards, video ribbon along the upper level edge, seats, lighting, and sound. In addition, the locker rooms and office space have all been upgraded. Throughout the years the capacity has been adjusted through the removal of box seating for traditional seating and the addition of a standing student section behind one of the goals. The future of the arena is questioned due to a variety of issues stemming from a narrow concourse, limited storage, and a desire to have premium seating to earn more revenue. The issue is further complicated by the fact the Smith Center was privately funded and the seats paid for by the initial donors carry two full generations, which limits any possible renovation, but could be circumvented by building a new arena.
Through the 2021–22 season, the Tar Heels have played 37 seasons in the Dean Smith Center and have earned over 450 victories and under 100 losses. Despite their home success, the crowd has often been criticized for being dull and un–involved, which has been credited to the seating arrangement created by the above–mentioned donors which has limited the ability of the students to use the lower level and create noise. In addition to basketball, the venue has been used to host several concerts, graduations, sporting events, and a speech by Barack Obama when campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Background and history
After the Tar Heels won the
During the mid-1970s, the university began to investigate building a self-standing arena. However, the university was in the middle of a fundraising campaign called the Carolina Challenge and Chancellor
Smith stated publicly "We all know that we can use that money better to help the University,"[10] while later in his memoir he also noted that "when you can't get a ticket, that's the best situation for a program."[11] Smith later agreed for the new building as it would allow more students to attend.[12] According to architect Glenn Corley, assistant coach Bill Guthridge hoped the new arena would be "big enough so that everyone who wanted to go to a game could get in, and there wouldn't be one guy outside waiting."[9] Future ACC Commissioner John Swofford, Hargove "Skipper" Bowles, and executive Rams Club director Ernie Williamson anchored the fundraising efforts which officially started in May 1980 for a goal of at least $30 million.[N 1][10][14] Bowles convinced Smith to assist the fundraising, as there were fears it would not succeed without his participation.[12] They hosted many Rams Club and alumni meetings around the state, where they presented a model of the building while Smith and Bowles spoke to the attendees.[4] Swofford stated during the campaign: "The key factor, of course, was the job that Dean has done with basketball here and the respect people hold for his program."[4] A proposition was made to the student body for a fee increase to be applied to help cover building costs and that increase would maintain the seating arrangements as they were in Carmichael, but it was voted down.[9][15]
Following the
Harrell stated that any donations over $5,000 secured the life-long right to purchase seats at the venue, while a gift over $10,000 would grant tickets for two generations.[10] Lifetime tickets for two generations meant guaranteed tickets for the lifetime of the donor and their oldest child's.[17] As donations increased the quality and quantity of seats improved and parking spots would be included.[10][17] The effort spanned six years and included 2,362 donors.[1][18] Donations ranged from $1 to $1 million.[1][10][19] Each donor's name is located on a brass and granite plaque in 3/8-inch letters near the venue's north, main entrance.[4] The campaign ended on August 1, 1984, and the total amount donated was over $33 million.[N 2][1][17] The completion date was pushed back further to March 1985 and again until the season opener in 1985 against UCLA.[22] Upon completion of the campaign, this became the first privately funded on-campus venue for basketball.[17]
Prior to the first game, the Student Activities center began to be referred to as the "Dean Dome," which is a play on Coach Smith and the fiber-glass dome on the arena.
Due to renovations going on at their home venue, Carmichael, the
Architecture and renovations
The land for the Smith Center is located on south campus in a wooded ravine near US 15-501 and Mason Farm Road.[23] To make room for the structure, more than 20,000 cubic yards (15,000 m3) of rock needed to be dynamited out, along with 150,000 cubic feet (4,200 m3) of dirt.[23] However, this was not completed due to the excessive blasting required for the west side, leading to a semi-circular shape of the ground floor.[23] This led to storage and production issues almost immediately.[23] The entire arena is 380' long by 340' wide and 140' high, with three levels.[18] In total, the arena is 300,000 square feet (28,000 m2) spread across 8 acres (3.2 ha) of land.[5] The roof is 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) and is skylighted.[22] The farthest view from seat to court is 675 feet (206 m).[9] The court itself is maplewood and seven inches thick.[22] The venue included 20 boxes near the top of the lower level for the larger donors; however, the large donors to the stadium wished for court-side seating.[21] Due to poor views from the boxes, these areas were converted into normal seating years later.[21] The venue's 68 rows all feed into the 1,200' long and 22' wide concourse that features several concession stands and vendors.[5] Hanging over the court is a grid that allows for sound and lighting equipment to be hung.[27] The architects for the project were Chapel Hill's Joe Hakan and Glenn Corley from Hakan/Corley & Associates,[3][4] Finch-Heery of Atlanta, and New York City's Geiger Berger.[5]
Since the arena's opening, it has been renovated and updated several times.
The initial capacity for the Dean Smith Center was 21,444, which made it the third largest on-campus arena for the 1985-86 college basketball season.[22] In the 1990s, the seating was expanded to increase capacity to 21,572. Before the start of the Tar Heels' 2000–01 season, a standing room only section for students was added behind the basket the visiting team opposes in the first half.[20] This increased the capacity of the arena to 21,750.[20] The largest crowd to attend a game in the facility was 23,713 when the Smith Center hosted the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival basketball game.[28] The largest crowd to see a Carolina game in the Dean Dome was on March 6, 2005, when 22,125 fans saw the North Carolina Tar Heels beat the Duke Blue Devils 75-73 following a nine-point comeback in the final three minutes of regulation.[9][28][32]
Future
The arena was considered state-of-the-art in 1986; however, despite frequent renovations and updates, there are many issues with the building regarding its large number of seats, limited storage due to the lack of rock dynamited out in the west end, and its narrow concourse.[17] In November 2015, Cunningham told the media that the school had been looking at renovating the Smith Center to add premium level seating and reducing the overall capacity by potentially 4,000 seats or building a replacement structure.[33] This project would also be privately financed through donations and athletic department revenue, but not with state taxes.[33] If the school were to renovate the Smith Center, it would continue the lifetime season ticket obligations for patrons or the second generation of the patrons that donated to the Smith Center's initial funding.[34] A potential replacement arena would have to be built on a new site and would require a lot more money; however, it would allow for luxury seating to increase revenue and would eliminate the lifetime seating rights.[34] Should those holding the lifetime season tickets wish to keep their rights, they would then be required to make a significant donation, rather than a minimal donation as they do currently to maintain the tickets.[34] A new arena would greatly increase revenue through yearly seat licensing, and therefore help all athletic programs through the increase in revenue that would then increase the total athletic budget.[35]
Basketball atmosphere
This is not like the Duke crowd. I'd put it like a cheese and wine crowd, laid back
Sam Cassell following a Florida State victory in the Smith Center on December 15, 1991[36]
The Dean Dome's crowd has been criticized for being lackluster in the past. As early as 1987, a writer for The Daily Tar Heel stated the Smith Center and the university's on-campus football stadium, Kenan Memorial Stadium "usually [resembled] tombs more than athletic arenas."[37] A year later, another Daily Tar Heel writer attended a high school basketball game in the Smith Center and noted that with only 80% of the lower level filled, the fans in attendance made more noise than the Carolina fans made in their home game against NC State that season.[38] Following a victory by Florida State, Seminole Sam Cassell was quoted as calling the fans in attendance "like a cheese and wine crowd."[36][39] Years following the game, Cassell elaborated on his comments stating that the older alumni–who primarily sat close to the court–weren't loud and stated that the students then sitting in the upper levels were making noise, but their effect was limited as they were higher up.[40] Since Cassell made the comments, the words have commonly been incorrectly remembered and people tend to refer to the Smith Center crowd as a "wine and cheese" crowd.[40] In contrast, Carmichael Auditorium was known for its noise level; before one game, the Virginia Cavaliers couldn't hear their names announced during player introductions because of the din.[41]
Typically the issue with crowd noise and involvement stems from the seating above mentioned seating arrangement issues where the lower-level seats are predominately taken up by alumni that donated to help build the arena. The student sections in the lower level often vary depending on the year, but are mainly located in the upper level, far from the court.
Home–court advantage
The Dean Dome has become known for the home–court advantage the Tar Heels possess. Through the 2021–22 season's completion, Carolina teams had played 37 seasons in the arena.[46] Across those seasons, the Tar Heels have played 534 games where they amassed 451 wins against 83 losses, for a win percentage of 84.5%.[46] In five of the 33 seasons, the team has gone undefeated in all contests at the Smith Center,[46] while the team has only lost more than three games in a single season at the Smith Center six times.[46] North Carolina's only season with a losing record at home in the Smith Center was 2001–02 when the Tar Heels went 6–9.[46]
Other uses
The first concert to be hosted in the Smith Center was Kenny Rogers on April 12, 1986.[5][28][47] Performance Magazine named the Dean E. Smith Center as the "Venue-of-the-year" in 1987.[48] In addition, Pollstar Readers named it the "Best New Major Concert Venue."[48] The Smith Center hosted many concerts between its opening and 1995, hosting the likes of Pink Floyd, Garth Brooks, Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, INXS, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen, Grateful Dead, Rush, and more.[28][47][48] Concerts dwindled following 1995, after which they were mainly Sesame Street Live.[47] One of the reasons the Smith Center stopped hosting concerts was due to the inability to keep up with the musician's production demands like Metallica wanted to perform in the Dean Dome but due to fears of their hydraulic lift ruining the floor.[47] The Smith Center's last concert was in 2008, when Boyz II Men performed.[47]
The facility is used each year for various local high schools' graduations, as well as the December commencement and various May Commencement exercises.[28] Throughout the year blood drives and career fairs are held in the building.[28] The 1988 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament used the Smith Center as the host for the East region's opening two rounds.[48] The Smith Center and adjacent Koury Natatorium served as the host for various 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games events.[28] On October 16, 2000, the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers played an NBA preseason game at the arena. This featured a number of North Carolina products returning to Chapel Hill: the Raptors' Vince Carter and the 76ers' George Lynch in addition to 76ers coaches Larry Brown and John Kuester.[49][50] On April 28, 2008, senator and Democratic presidential candidate hopeful Barack Obama held a rally in the arena before the North Carolina primary on May 6.[51] Obama spoke in front of 18,000 wearing a Carolina blue tie while encouraging those to vote early and addressed topics like affordable college and the war in Darfur.[52][53]
See also
References
Footnotes
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Fletcher, Stephen (January 17, 2013). "A Commitment to Excellence". A View to Hugh. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c Staff (June 23, 2011). "Great Expectations at the Dean Dome". Chapelboro. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Chansky 2015, p. 74.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lohse 1992, p. 80.
- ^ "Sports/Recreation". Henderson Engineers, Inc. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ a b Chansky 2015, p. 106.
- ^ a b Lucas 2010, p. 171.
- ^ a b c d e Anna Katherine Clemmons (March 7, 2009). "Dean E. Smith Center: Welcome to basketball Valhalla in Chapel Hill". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ ProQuest 424475058.
- ^ Davis 2017, p. 193.
- ^ a b c d e Davis 2017, p. 194.
- ProQuest 1822459667.
- ^ a b Chansky 2015, p. 74 & 253.
- ^ Lucas 2010, p. 172–173.
- ^ a b c d e Chansky 2015, p. 75.
- ^ a b c d e f g Chansky 2015, p. 253.
- ^ a b c Knupke 2006, p. 231.
- ^ Berry 2014, p. 110.
- ^ a b c "Students Gain Courtside Seating at Smith Center". GoHeels.com. The University of North Carolina. August 31, 2000. Archived from the original on August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b c Lucas 2010, p. 173.
- ^ a b c d e Curry Kirkpatrick (January 27, 1986). "Dingdong Duel in Dean's Dome". Sports Illustrated. Time Inc. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Chansky 2015, p. 73.
- ^ Zack Tyman (September 23, 2010). "Back at home in Carmichael Auditorium". The Daily Tar Heel. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Jack Frederick (August 27, 2018). "Roy Williams Court dedicated during UNC basketball reunion weekend". The Daily Tar Heel. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Joe Giglio (August 27, 2018). "UNC will name Smith Center basketball floor 'Roy Williams Court'". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ Lohse 1992, p. 80–81.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Dean Smith Center". GoHeels.com. The University of North Carolina. June 23, 2011. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Wachovia to Advertise in Dean Dome". The Dispatch (Lexington). November 22, 2005. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
- ^ a b Joe Giglio (January 22, 2018). "$6 million videoboard project at UNC up for BOG approval". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ Nolan Hayes (October 8, 2018). "Smith Center Gets Major Video Board Upgrade". 247sports. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ "NCAA Basketball - Duke Blue Devils/North Carolina Tar Heels Recap". Yahoo! Sports. March 6, 2005. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2005.
- ^ a b Davis 2017, p. 195.
- ^ a b c Chansky 2015, p. 76.
- ^ Chansky 2015, p. 255.
- ^
- ^ "Carolina quotables - What are they saying about UNC?". UNC University Libraries. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Andrew Carter (August 27, 2018). "The story, 25 years later, behind how the Smith Center became known for 'wine and cheese'". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ Powell 2005, pp. 87–8.
- ^ a b Chansky 2015, pp. 232–4.
- ^ "UNC-OSU: Thad Matta Press Conference". Scout. November 29, 2006. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ Martin, Ross (December 12, 2016). "Roy releases statement on UNC crowd". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Kirschner 2022, p. 174.
- ^ a b c d e Parth Shah (October 20, 2014). "Fans miss Smith Center's musical days". The Daily Tar Heel. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Lohse 1992, p. 81.
- ^ "Carter, Lynch to Meet at Smith Center". University of North Carolina Athletics. September 6, 2000. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Droschak, David (October 16, 2000). "76ers 107, Raptors 98". AP NEWS. Associated Press. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ "Clinton, Obama campaign in North Carolina". WRAL. April 29, 2008. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ "Obama to Speak at Smith Center Monday". The Daily Tar Heel. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. April 24, 2008. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
- ^ Allison Nichols and Joseph R. Schwartz (April 25, 2008). "Obama and Team Draw a Crowd to the Smith Center". The Daily Tar Heel. University North Carolina Chapel Hill. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
Bibliography
- Berry, Marjorie (2014). Legendary locals of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Charleston, South Carolina: Legendary Locals. ISBN 9781467101608.
- Chansky, Art (2015). 100 Things North Carolina Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. Chicago, Illinois: Triumph Books. ISBN 9781600789847.
- Davis, Jeff (2017). Dean Smith: A Basketball Life. New York, New York: Rodale. ISBN 9781623363604.
- Kirschner, Steve, ed. (2022). Carolina Basketball 2022-23 Facts & Records Book (PDF). Chapel Hill, North Carolina: UNC Athletic Communications Office. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 20, 2023.
- Knupke, Gene (2006). "Dean's Dome". Profiles of American - Canadian Sports Stadiums and Arenas. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Xlibris Corporpation. ISBN 9781413498233.
- Lohse, Dave, ed. (1992). "The Dean E. Smith Center" (PDF). Carolina Basketball 1992–93. Cincinnati, Ohio: Johnson and Hardin Printing Company. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
- Lucas, Adam (2010). Carolina Basketball: A Century of Excellence. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 9780807834107.
- Powell, Adam (2005). University of North Carolina Basketball. Mount Pleasant, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-4150-8.
- Thames, Rick, ed. (2015). Dean Smith: More Than a Coach. Chicago, Illinois: Triumph Books. ISBN 9781629371726.