Arena-Auditorium facts for kids
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"Pimple on the Prairie", "Dome of Doom", "Double A"
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Interior view of the Arena-Auditorium, 2011
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 Arena-Auditorium
Location in Wyoming
Arena-Auditorium
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1000 East University Avenue Laramie, WY 82071 |
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| Coordinates | 41°18′48.04″N 105°34′9.91″W / 41.3133444°N 105.5694194°W |
| Owner | University of Wyoming |
| Operator | University of Wyoming |
| Capacity | 15,028 (1982-2014) 11,612 (2014-present) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | February 20, 1982 |
| Construction cost | $15 million |
| Architect | Arena Associates (Corbett Associates of Jackson & Dehnert, Richardson, & Bensman of Lander) |
| Tenants | |
| Wyoming Cowboys | |
The Arena-Auditorium is a large sports building in Laramie, Wyoming. It has 11,612 seats and is used for many different events. This arena opened in 1982.
It is the home court for the Wyoming Cowboys basketball team. Since 2003, the University of Wyoming's Cowgirls basketball team also plays here. The Arena-Auditorium took the place of the old basketball home, War Memorial Fieldhouse.
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About the Arena-Auditorium
The Arena-Auditorium has some fun nicknames. People call it the "Pimple on the Prairie," the "Dome of Doom," and the "Double A." It is special because it is the highest college basketball court in the country. It sits at an elevation of 7,220 feet (2,201 meters) above sea level. This high altitude can make it harder for visiting teams to play!
Big Games and Events
This arena has hosted many important sports events. In 1986 and 1991, it held the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournaments. A tournament is a series of games to find a champion. In 2006, it also hosted the West Regional of the NCAA Wrestling Tournament.
The biggest crowd for a basketball game was on March 2, 2002. Over 16,000 people watched the Wyoming Cowboys play Utah. Wyoming won that exciting game 57–56.
Cowgirls' Championship Win
In 2007, the Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team had a fantastic season. They hosted five games for the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) at the Double A. The WNIT is a big tournament for women's college basketball teams.
On March 31, 2007, the Cowgirls played in the WNIT championship game. They beat the Wisconsin Badgers 72–56. The arena sold out in less than 14 hours for this championship game! A huge crowd of 15,462 fans cheered them on. This was the largest crowd ever for a women's basketball game at the University of Wyoming. It was also the second-biggest crowd in WNIT history.
A Future President Visits
On March 7, 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama visited the Arena-Auditorium. He spoke to a full crowd as part of his campaign to become president. A campaign is when a politician tries to get people to vote for them. He won the Wyoming Democratic Party caucus the next day. A caucus is a meeting where people choose their favorite candidate.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas
