Kohl Center facts for kids
Exterior view of the Kohl Center
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| Location | 601 West Dayton Street Madison, Wisconsin 53715-1206 |
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| Coordinates | 43°04′10″N 89°23′49″W / 43.069420°N 89.396972°W |
| Public transit |  Metro Transit |
| Owner | University of Wisconsin |
| Operator | Wisconsin Badgers |
| Capacity | 17,287 (basketball) 15,359 (hockey) |
| Surface | Multi-surface 200 by 85 feet (61 m × 26 m) (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 7, 1996 |
| Built | October 8, 1996 |
| Opened | January 17, 1998 |
| Construction cost | $76.4 Million |
| Architect | Venture Architects HOK Sport Heinlein Schrock Stearns |
| Project manager | Hammes Company |
| Structural engineer | Thornton Tomasetti |
| Services engineer | M-E Engineers, Inc. |
| General contractor | The Boldt Company |
| Tenants | |
| Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball (1998–present) Wisconsin Badgers Women's Basketball (1998–present) Wisconsin Badgers Men's Hockey (1998–present) Wisconsin Badgers Women's Hockey (1998–2012) WIAA State Boys Basketball Tournament (1998–present) WIAA State Girls Basketball Tournament (1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2010–2012) WIAA State Wrestling Tournament (1998–present) NCAA Men's Basketball Midwest Regional (2002) NCAA Men's Hockey Midwest Regional (2008) |
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The Kohl Center is a big building at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States. It's a place where many different events happen. It opened in 1998. This arena is the home for the university's men's basketball and ice hockey teams. The women's basketball team also plays here.
The Kohl Center can hold many people. For basketball games, it fits 17,287 fans. For hockey games, it holds 15,539 people. It is one of the largest indoor sports places in Wisconsin. You can find it in Madison, Wisconsin, where West Dayton and North Frances Streets meet.
The arena got its name from Herb Kohl. He was a U.S. Senator and used to own the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. He also went to the University of Wisconsin. Herb Kohl gave $25 million to help build the arena. This money came from his family's company, Kohl's.
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How the Kohl Center Got Its Name
In 1995, Herb Kohl gave a huge gift of $25 million to help build the new arena. This was the largest single donation ever given to the University of Wisconsin System at that time. Because of his first name, some people in the area sometimes call it the "Herb Garden."
Another important donation came from Albert Nicholas, a former Wisconsin Badgers basketball player, and his wife. They gave $10 million. The practice area next to the arena is named the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion and Plaza because of their gift. After Albert Nicholas passed away in 2017, the basketball court itself was named in his honor. Jack F. Kellner and his sons also gave $2.5 million to the project.
The Kohl Center is very popular for college hockey. It often has the most fans at men's and women's college hockey games in the country.
The Student Fan Section
The student section at the Kohl Center is where university students sit to cheer on their teams. It was first called "Mr. Bennett's Neighborhood" after the basketball coach at the time, Dick Bennett. In 2002, the students changed the name to "Grateful Red." This name was a playful nod to a famous rock band. Students sometimes wore tie-dyed T-shirts to games.
In 2007, The Detroit News newspaper said it was the best college basketball student section. In 2018, the university changed the name for all student sections to "AreaRED."
This special student section holds 2,100 students. It reaches from the court all the way up to the roof, covering three levels. The men's basketball team, led by former coach Bo Ryan, had an amazing record at home. They won 133 games and only lost 10. They even had a winning streak of 24 home games in a row through the 2006–07 season.
Exciting Court Storming Games
The Kohl Center has seen many thrilling games where the Badgers won, and fans rushed onto the court to celebrate. These exciting moments happened after big victories:
- November 15, 2024: Wisconsin 103, (9) Arizona 88
- December 2, 2023: Wisconsin 75, (3) Marquette 64
- March 1, 2022: (10) Wisconsin 70, (8) Purdue 67
- January 19, 2019: Wisconsin 64, (2) Michigan 54
- December 2, 2009: Wisconsin 73, (6) Duke 69
- March 5, 2003: (24) Wisconsin 60, (14) Illinois 59
- February 27, 2002: Wisconsin 74, Michigan 54
- March 5, 2000: Wisconsin 56, (14) Indiana 53
History of the Arena
Before the Kohl Center was built, the basketball teams played at the Wisconsin Field House. The ice hockey teams played at the Dane County Coliseum. Sometimes, if there's another event at the Kohl Center, the hockey teams might still play at the Coliseum. This is because basketball games usually get first choice for scheduling.
When the Kohl Center first opened, it used the old scoreboard from the UW Field House. A new scoreboard was not part of the original building cost. The old scoreboard stayed for seven years. After enough money was raised, a new, modern round scoreboard was installed before the 2004–2005 winter sports season. At the same time, a LED ribbon board was added. This board goes around the arena below the second balcony and shows ads, messages, and scores.
The design of the Kohl Center was inspired by the Field House. It has balconies that stick out, rather than being set back. This design helps make opponents feel nervous and brings all the fans closer to the action.
In 2005, a bar and restaurant were added to the second level. This area is for special gatherings before games for people who have donated to the athletic department.
A second academic center for student-athletes was built in 2006. It is on the lower level of the Kohl Center. This center helps student-athletes get easier access to school help. Before the 2006 men's basketball season, the athletic department sold 48 special seats right next to the court. These seats cost between $10,000 and $12,500 each. All the seats sold out quickly, and a waiting list was made for future sales. These new seats increased the basketball capacity from 17,142 to 17,190.
Before the 2008–2009 season, some seats in the upper deck were changed. This added even more seating, bringing the men's basketball capacity to 17,230.
The athletic department also planned to add a practice rink for ice hockey. This plan became a reality with LaBahn Arena, which opened in 2012. It serves as a practice facility for the men's hockey team and a game and practice facility for the women's hockey team.
In the front entrance lobby, there is a beautiful wall sculpture. It is made of glass by artist Dale Chihuly and is called "Mendota Wall."
Other Fun Events
The Kohl Center hosts many different events besides sports. These include graduation ceremonies for the UW, concerts by famous musicians, ice skating shows, and career fairs. It also holds political gatherings and conventions.
The Kohl Center is the place for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) high school Boys' basketball and individual wrestling championships. It has also hosted big college championships, like an NCAA women's volleyball national championship in 1998. It hosted an NCAA men's basketball regional championship in 2002 and an NCAA men's hockey regional championship in 2008.
Every year, the Kohl Center hosts the Varsity Band Spring Concert. This event started in 1975 and has grown into a huge three-night show. It features professional staging, lighting, sound, and even fireworks! About 25,000 people attend this concert each year.
On February 12, 2008, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke to more than 17,000 people here. This was before the Wisconsin primary election. The 2008 Jeopardy! College Championship was also filmed at the Kohl Center in May 2008.
On October 8, 2016, the Milwaukee Bucks played a preseason basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Kohl Center.
On October 30, 2017, DJ Khaled held a concert at the Kohl Center. This happened after a UW student named Sam Jeschke gave out 43,000 bottles of Mentos Gum.
Metallica, a famous rock band, started their North American WorldWired Arena Tour at the Kohl Center on September 2, 2018.
See also
In Spanish: Kohl Center para niños
- List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas
- List of NCAA Division I ice hockey arenas
