Varsity Gymnasium is an 8,000 seat multi-purpose arena

Arena

An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...

 in Boone, North Carolina

Boone, North Carolina

Boone is a town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, United States. Boone's population was reported as 17,122, as of 2010...

. It opened in 1968 and was home to the Appalachian State

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system...

 Mountaineers

Appalachian State Mountaineers

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are the athletic teams that represent Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, United States. The Mountaineers compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and have been a member of the Southern Conference since 1972....

 basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

 teams until the Holmes Center opened in 2000. The gym is currently home to the wrestling program.

History

The gymnasium was dedicated December 7, 1968. The original cost of the 104000 square feet (9,661.9 m²) facility was $2,000,000 USD. It had hydraulic stages, seven 172 feet (52.4 m) supporting beams, physiological laboratories and 8 ticket gates. In addition to the main court area, the gym also included racquetball courts and a wrestling room for team practices. The gym was located adjacent to Broome-Kirk gym, which has since been demolished.

Concerts at Varsity Gym have included Jimmy Buffett, Phish and 38 Special.

External links

Varsity Gymnasium at GoASU