|
|
|
|
Bramlage Coliseum
|
| |
|
| |
Bramlage Coliseum is a 12,528-seat multi-purpose arena in Manhattan, Kansas. The arena's primary function is as home to the men's and women's basketball teams for Kansas State University. The building also holds offices for Kansas State baseball, Intercollegiate Athletics, and Sports Information. It is named after donor and Kansas State graduate Fred Bramlage, who was instrumental in raising funds for the facility.
arena is located in the northwest corner of the Kansas State campus, along with the rest of the school's athletic facilities, abutting the south end zone of Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
The arena was built to replace Ahearn Field House, K-State's basketball facility from 1950 to 1988.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Bramlage Coliseum' Start a new discussion about 'Bramlage Coliseum' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
Bramlage Coliseum is a 12,528-seat multi-purpose arena in Manhattan, Kansas. The arena's primary function is as home to the men's and women's basketball teams for Kansas State University. The building also holds offices for Kansas State baseball, Intercollegiate Athletics, and Sports Information. It is named after donor and Kansas State graduate Fred Bramlage, who was instrumental in raising funds for the facility.
Construction and usage
The arena is located in the northwest corner of the Kansas State campus, along with the rest of the school's athletic facilities, abutting the south end zone of Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
The arena was built to replace Ahearn Field House, K-State's basketball facility from 1950 to 1988. Construction of Bramlage Coliseum began with a groundbreaking on October 18, 1986, and was completed in 1988. The construction was funded entirely by student fees and donations from alumni and friends of the University.
On November 26, 1988, Kansas State University officially opened Bramlage Coliseum with an 81-77 victory over Purdue. The first basketball game actually played in the arena, however, was an exhibition contest between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs on October 21, 1988.
As of November 21, 2008, the Kansas State Wildcats men's basketball team has posted a 218-83 (.724) record in Bramlage Coliseum.
The facility hosted women's NCAA basketball tournament games in 2002 and 2003.
Bramlage has also been home to the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 2A boys and girls state championship tournaments since 1990.
Historical displays
The concourse around the arena is decorated with pictures of Wildcat greats and trophies won by the men's and women's teams over the years. A painted border around the top of the walls inside the Coliseum shows the years the Wildcat basketball programs won conference crowns or participated in the NCAA Tournament or NIT (WNIT). Hanging from the rafters in Bramlage are the retired numbers of former Wildcat greats including: Ernie Barrett, Rolando Blackman, Bob Boozer, Mike Evans, Dick Knostman, Lon Kruger, Jack Parr, Chuckie Williams, Nicole Ohlde and Kendra Wecker.
Traditions
The 6,000+ student section rises to their feet early in the pre-game and is loud and jumping through the final buzzer. Kansas Coach Bill Self said, "We will not play in a tougher environment all year." Bill Walker added, "My ears were ringing when I finally got back to the locker room." Some refer to the building as the "Octagon of Doom" due to its eight sides.
Before every game, the crowd sings the Kansas State fight song, and then bobs back and forth to the Wabash Cannonball. As the K-State players make their way from the locker room to the court, the crowd chants, "Bring on the Cats, Bring on the Cats, Bring on the Cats." When the Cats hit the floor the crowd erupts and rises to their feet. While the opposing team's starting lineup is announced, the student section shakes newspapers, and after each name chants, "So What" "Who Cares" "Who's He?" "Big Deal" "Go Home," and then rips the papers and throws them in the air at the beginning of the introduction of the Kansas State starting lineup. Each time an opposing player commits a foul the student section chants the number of fouls that player has, and every time a K-State player sinks a three-point basket, the announcer says the name of the player followed by "for", and then the crowd echoes "three!" Following a K-State victory, the crowd performs a "K-S-U Wildcats" chant.
Seating capacity
Seating capacity in Bramlage was originally 13,500. Adjustments for fire codes lowered this number to 13,340 in the 1990s, and construction prior to the 2007-2008 season eliminated another approximately 800 seats to add luxury boxes and bring handicap seating up to compliance.
Largest crowds
- 13,762 - Kansas Jayhawks - February 22, 1992
- 13,685 - Kansas Jayhawks - January 27, 1990
- 13,597 - Missouri Tigers - March 1, 1989
- 13,586 - Kansas Jayhawks - January 14, 1989
- 13,584 - Kansas Jayhawks - January 18, 1993
- 13,580 - Oklahoma Sooners - February 19, 1994
- 13,573 - Missouri Tigers - February 8, 1990
- 13,553 - Kansas Jayhawks - February 12, 1994
- 13,536 - Oklahoma State Cowboys - February 25, 1989
- 13,520 - Nebraska Cornhuskers - March 3, 1990
Non-sporting events
In addition to Kansas State basketball, Bramlage Coliseum also hosts musical and comical performances, speeches, trade shows, and undergraduate commencement ceremonies. The arena has seated up to 14,000 for concerts. It has featured performances by the following groups and individuals:
The arena has also hosted speaking events as part of the Landon Lecture series by the following personalities:
External links
|
| |
|
|
