Bob Devaney Sports Center facts for kids
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"The Bob"
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North entrance of the Devaney Center in 2025
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| Former names | NU Sports Complex |
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| Location | 1600 Court Street Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Owner | University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
| Operator | University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
| Capacity | 8,309 (volleyball) 5,000 (track & field) 1,000 (aquatics) |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1974 |
| Opened | November 27, 1976 |
| Renovated | 2012–2013 |
| Expanded |
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| Construction cost | $13 million ($66.9 million in 2022 ) |
| Architect | Leo A Daly |
| Tenants | |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers (NCAA) Men's basketball (1976–2013) Women's basketball (1976–2013) Men's gymnastics (1976–present) Women's gymnastics (1976–present) Indoor track and field (1976–present) Swimming and diving (1976–present) Volleyball (2013–present) Wrestling (2013–present) |
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The Bob Devaney Sports Center, often called the Devaney Center, is a big sports building at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska. It opened in 1976 as the NU Sports Complex. In 1978, it was named after famous football coach and athletic director Bob Devaney. The main sports area inside was named John Cook Arena in 2025.
This center was built to replace an older, smaller sports building. It was the main place for indoor sports at the university. Men's and women's basketball teams played here for 37 years until 2013. After they moved, volleyball and wrestling teams started using the Devaney Center. The building was updated a lot, and the main arena became smaller, holding about 8,000 people. The Nebraska volleyball team has had the most fans in college volleyball every year at this venue. The large complex also hosts gymnastics, indoor track and field, and swimming events.
Contents
Building the Devaney Center
How the Idea Started
Bob Devaney, a football coach and athletic director, wanted a new sports arena as early as 1971. The university leaders agreed two years later. In 1974, construction began on land that the university later bought. The project cost $13.8 million. It was paid for using money from a state cigarette tax. This led to its nickname, "the house that cigarettes built."
Opening Day and Features
The NU Sports Complex opened in March 1976. It took over from the NU Coliseum as the main place for most indoor sports. The main arena could hold 15,000 people. The swimming area could hold 3,500, and the track area could hold 5,000. Offices and locker rooms were under the main arena's seats. Two years later, the complex was named after Bob Devaney. He won two national championships as a coach. He was also the athletic director until 1992.
Basketball at the Devaney Center
Early Games and Big Crowds
Nebraska's basketball teams played their first game at the arena on November 27, 1976. The biggest crowd ever was 15,038 fans. This was for a game against Oklahoma State on February 7, 1981. Much of the team's success came when Danny Nee was the coach. He really liked the Devaney Center. He said it had "charisma." Later, the arena had a $7.9 million update to make it better for fans.
Women's Basketball Success
From December 1986 to January 1989, the Nebraska women's team won 29 home games in a row. This was a record for the arena. Years later, in the 2009–10 season, the team sold out a regular-season game for the first time. They won 67–51 against Missouri.
Hosting Big Tournaments
The Devaney Center hosted early rounds of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1980, 1984, and 1988. It also hosted women's first-round games in 1993. Nebraska won its first game in that competition there. Famous NBA players like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson played preseason games at the arena.
Moving to a New Home
In 2013, the basketball teams moved to the West Haymarket Arena. The Nebraska men's team had a great record at the Devaney Center. They won 477 games and lost 148 games over 37 years.
Hendricks Training Complex
The basketball and wrestling teams now practice at the Hendricks Training Complex. This is a large, modern facility inside the Devaney Center. It cost $18.7 million and has a locker room, weight room, and a sports medicine area.
Volleyball at the Devaney Center
A New Home for Volleyball
When a new arena was being built for basketball, athletic director Tom Osborne wanted to move volleyball to the Devaney Center. The volleyball coach, John Cook, was not sure at first. But he agreed when the university promised a $27 million renovation. Thousands of seats were removed, making the capacity about 8,000. The arena was made modern with luxury suites and special student seating. The playing court was named after Terry Pettit in 2013. The main arena was named after Coach Cook in 2025, and a statue was put up outside.
Volleyball's Huge Popularity
The arena can hold 8,309 people for volleyball games. There are plans to make it even bigger, holding almost 10,000 fans by 2026. Nebraska has had the most fans in college volleyball every year since moving here. The team has also sold out every match for a record 337 games in a row. The volleyball program has made a lot of money since moving to the Devaney Center. In 2023, it made a record $1.3 million.
Other Sports at the Devaney Center
Gymnastics Events
The main arena has hosted gymnastics since 1976. This includes many conference and national championship events. In 1986, there was a very close NCAA men's championship. The Devaney Center hosted ten men's NCAA events. It also hosted the women's tournaments in 2003 and 2009. A new gymnastics practice facility, the Francis Allen Training Center, opened in April 2020.
Swimming and Diving
The Devaney Center Natatorium (swimming pool area) was built in 1976. It hosted many conference swim meets. However, it is now considered old. The pool is a bit small and is seen as one of the less modern ones in its league. The natatorium can hold 1,000 spectators.
Indoor Track and Field
The Devaney Center has been the home for Nebraska's indoor track and field team since it was built. In 2000, a $2.9 million renovation added a special 200-meter track. This track can tilt, and it is the largest of its kind in the world. The track area can seat up to 5,000 fans. It has hosted many championship meets.
High School Sports
For almost 40 years, the Devaney Center hosted the state basketball tournaments for Nebraska high schools. In 1992, Andre Wooldridge set a scoring record with 50 points in a championship game. Most of the tournament moved to West Haymarket Arena in 2013. But the Devaney Center still hosts some games each year, especially for smaller schools.
Concerts and Other Fun Events
The Devaney Center was the main place for concerts in Lincoln during the late 1970s and 1980s. It hosted events regularly until the early 2000s. Many famous musicians played here. These included Elton John, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, and Garth Brooks.
