Chaifetz Arena
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| Location | 1 South Compton Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63103 |
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Owner | Saint Louis University |
| Operator | Global Spectrum |
| Capacity | 10,600 |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 28, 2006[1] |
| Opened | April 10, 2008[3] |
| Construction cost | $80.5 million ($88.5 million in 2024 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | Sink Combs Dethlefs Mackey Mitchell Associates |
| Structural engineer | Alper Audi, Inc. |
| General contractor | Clayco Construction |
| Tenants | |
| Saint Louis Billikens (NCAA Division I) (2008–present) | |
Chaifetz Arena (/ˈʃeɪfɛtz/ SHAY-fetz),[4] located on the campus of Saint Louis University, is a 10,600 seat multi-purpose arena in St. Louis, Missouri, that began construction on August 28, 2006 and opened on April 10, 2008.[3]
In February 2007, Chicago-based businessman Richard Chaifetz, CEO of ComPsych Corporation and 1975 graduate of SLU, made a $12 million donation to the university, which named the arena in his honor.
As of the 2008-09 season, it is the official home of the Saint Louis University Billikens men's and women's basketball teams, replacing Scottrade Center (1994-2008), St. Louis Arena (1991-94), Kiel Auditorium (1934-1991), and the Bauman-Eberhardt Center (1920-1934), respectively. Additionally, the attached Chaifetz Pavilion includes a two-court basketball and volleyball practice facility that also serves as an 800-seat venue that is the home for the university's volleyball teams.[5] The arena, known as "the Jewel of Midtown," includes a three-story athletic office and a blue victory light on the roof that is activated after each Billiken home victory.[6] Chaifetz Arena has been called by former VCU coach Shaka Smart as the toughest venue to play in the Atlantic 10 Conference.[7]
Men's basketball record at Chaifetz Arena
| Year | Conference record | Record overall | Winning Percentage | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2009 | 6-2 | 14-3 | .824 | Rick Majerus |
| 2009–2010 | 6-2 | 18-4 | .818 | Rick Majerus |
| 2010–2011 | 4-4 | 9-7 | .563 | Rick Majerus |
| 2011–2012 | 7-1 | 15-1 | .938 | Rick Majerus |
| 2012–2013 | 7-1 | 17-2 | .895 | Jim Crews |
| 2013–2014 | 6-2 | 14-3 | .824 | Jim Crews |
| 2014-2015 | 3-6 | 9-9 | .500 | Jim Crews |
| 2015-2016 | 3-6 | 7-11 | .389 | Jim Crews |
| TOTALS | 42-24 | 103-40 | .722 |
Events
The first event held at the venue was a Harlem Globetrotters game against the Washington Generals, played on April 11, 2008.[8]
Barry Manilow performed the inaugural concert at Chaifetz Arena on April 25, 2008.
The first student concert was held on April 26, 2008 featuring artists Tyler Hilton, Chingy, The Starting Line, Jo Dee Messina, and Augustana.
The first political rally at the Arena was on October 2, 2008, for Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. She appeared to supporters after the 2008 Vice Presidential debate held at Washington University in St. Louis.[9]
Saint Louis University held its first Commencement Ceremony on campus in 60 years at the arena on May 17, 2008. Fox Sports personality and native St. Louisan Joe Buck delivered the Commencement Address.
FIRST has held its St. Louis Regional at Chaifetz Arena for several years.
American Idols Live! made its Chaifetz Arena debut in 2009, having previously been held at the Fox Theater (2002) and Family Arena (2003-2008). Chaifetz Arena also became the St. Louis stop for Champions on Ice and Cirque du Soleil, also in 2009.
The USA Gymnastics Championships occurred June 7–10, 2012 at the Chaifetz Arena
Muse performed on March 8, 2013 on their 2nd Law tour. This was the band's fifth show in St. Louis.
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING was held here in September,2013.
References
- ↑ Chaifetz Arena - SLUBillikens.com
- ↑ 1634 to 1699: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. 1700-1799: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. 1800–present: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Allen, Matt. "Clayco, Mackey Mitchell finish SLU's Chaifetz Arena," St. Louis Business Journal, March 9, 2008.
- ↑ http://www.slubillikens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205246206/
- ↑ http://www.claycorp.com/p/240/chaifetz-arena-at-st-louis-university/
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ MyFox St. Louis | New Chaifetz Arena Opens With Globetrotters[dead link]
- ↑ Palin Supporters in St. Louis Hold VP Debate Watch Party | ksdk.com | St. Louis, MO
