Allen Arena

Facilities

Other than hosting athletic events and on campus convocations, the arena hosts many events such as dinners, concerts, area-wide worship services, and graduations (the university and Nashville surrounding high schools). The facility has been host to events such as the annual Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation Concert, bringing entertainers such as former Vibe host Sinbad, Dana Carvey, and Jay Leno.

Besides being the home of Lipscomb sports teams, it served as the home of the now-defunct Nashville franchise, the Nashville Rhythm, in the revived American Basketball Association. It was also the home of the Music City Stars, an American Basketball Association team during the 2009–10 season.

History

The Allen Arena opened on October 28, 2001, with a local worship service called "In His Hands". The Arena and adjacent parking garage was the site for the school's old McQuiddy Gym name after J.C. McQuiddy Part of the McQuiddy Gym was retained along with the adjacent Student Activities Center (SAC). Yearwood Hall, a women's dormitory, was torn down for construction of the arena.

In the first Lipscomb Bisons home game at Allen Arena, Bison Clayton Osborne made an inbounds shot from three-quarters of the court away. With no time remaining, the ball fell through the net, giving the Bisons a 78–77 victory over the North Texas Mean Green.

The arena hosted the 2008, 2009, 2019 and 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball tournaments.

Due to the damage incurred to the Grand Ole Opry House during the May 2010 Tennessee floods and because the Ryman Auditorium was unavailable, Allen Arena hosted the June 5 and June 15, 2010, editions of the Grand Ole Opry. In October 2013, the arena held the nationally televised 44th GMA Dove Awards.

Capacity

Arena seating capacity is between 4,000 and 5,000 depending upon the purpose for which it is being used, and is officially given as 5,028, which is the capacity in the format typically utilized.

References

References

1. "Louis Berger | Solutions for a better world".
2. "Lee Company: Serving TN, AL and KY Since 1944".
3. "Lipscomb University Arena and Parking Garage | DF Chase".
4. [http://www.lipscombsports.com/facilities/allenarena/ Allen Arena Facilities] at lipscombsports.com, URL accessed November 6, 2009. {{webarchive. link. (2009-10-25 11/5/09)
5. "Home".
6. "44th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Tickets Nashville.
7. [http://nashville.metromix.com/theater/theater/lipscomb-university-allen-arena-green-hills/527644/content Lipscomb University, Allen Arena] at nashville.metromix.com, URL accessed November 6, 2009. {{webarchive. link. (2011-01-17 11/6/09)