The Field House (East Texas A&M)

The Field House
The Field House in March 2015
Map
Location2600 South Neal Street,
Commerce, Texas, 75428
Coordinates33°14′43″N 95°54′27″W / 33.245337°N 95.907619°W / 33.245337; -95.907619
OwnerEast Texas A&M University
OperatorEast Texas A&M University
Capacity3,055
Record attendance2,446
SurfaceHardwood
Construction
Broke ground1949
OpenedSeptember 1, 1950
Renovated1969, 1991, 2009
Expanded1969
Construction cost$325,000 (1950) (Costs would be roughly $4.25 million in 2010)
ArchitectGeorge L. Dahl
Tenants
East Texas A&M Lions (NCAA)
Men's basketball (1950–present)
Women's basketball (1971–present)
Women's volleyball (1978–present)

The Field House or University Field House is a 3,055 seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas. It was built in 1950 when the school was known as East Texas State Teachers College. It is the home of the East Texas A&M Lions men's and women's basketball teams, as well as home to Lions volleyball. The Field House is also used as the location for the university's commencement exercises.[1]

History

The Field House before a basketball game against the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds in 2016

In the fall of 1949, East Texas State president James Gee first announced the construction of the Field House and Memorial Stadium. At a cost of $325,000, the crews of George L. Dahl were able to complete the project in just over a year. Since the original structure was built, there was a renovation in 1969 that included a two-story addition for classrooms and offices, a dressing room and a storage area. A third renovation came in 1991 to include the installation of new bleachers, scoreboards, heating and ventilation and a refurbishment of the one-acre maple hardwood floor. In 2009, the Field House received its most modern renovations with a brand new playing floor, digital scoreboards, new ventilation and heating, more efficient lighting, renovations to offices and classrooms, new basketball goals with digital shot-clocks.[2]

Men's Basketball Attendance

Rk. Date Opponent Attendance Result
Highest attendance
1 November 29, 2018 Angelo State 2,446 W 81–72
2 January 21, 2017 West Texas A&M 2,368 W 104–103 (2 OT)
3 December 7, 2017 Eastern New Mexico 2,213 W 85–78
4 February 20, 2016 Eastern New Mexico 2,153 W 81–73
5 December 6, 2021 Harding 2,021 W 94–83

Attendance records available 2011-Present.[3]

Building features and structure

A basketball game between the Lions and the Angelo State Rams at the Field House in 2015

The Field House covers 69,000 square feet and will seat 3,055 people for either a volleyball or basketball contest. The facility is also the host to the University's Athletic Administration staff, the Sports Medicine Department and the Health and Human Performance Department; in addition to the offices for the basketball, cross country and track and field, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball teams.

The Field House is shaped like an airplane hangar and has space for three basketball courts crossways. The floor allows three games to be played at the same time under one roof. The one lengthwise court is reserved for East Texas A&M basketball and volleyball games. With an arched roof, 58 feet from the ground at the highest point, is supported on steel beams that are stationed at one end.

Usage

A volleyball match at the Field House between the Lions and TWU Pioneers in 2014

In addition to being used for East Texas A&M basketball and volleyball, the ETA&M intrascholastic Intramural Sports Basketball Championships for both men and women are played at the Field House.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lion Athletics Facilities". Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletics. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  2. ^ University Field House (TAMUC)
  3. ^ "- All-time Game Results". static.lionathletics.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.