College Park Center

Features

College Park Center is divided into two concourses. The lower surrounds the court/performance area while the upper section is shaped like a horseshoe. For end stage concerts, CPC can seat 6,400 spectators, with the lower bowl seating 3,600. A 2800 sqfoot hospitality suite, divisible into three private sections is above the lower sections opposite the scorers table. The center-hung scoreboard is a four-sided Daktronics 13' X 9' with LED displays while an end-hung scoreboard is an 11' X 19' Daktronics LED display. Two LED display ribbon boards circle the bottom of the balcony seating. At the scorers table are four Daktronics LED display tables linked together to display messages and advertising.

Underneath the lower concourse are state-of-the-art sports medicine and training facilities, two full-sized practice courts, 2500 sqfoot weight room, and an academic support study center.

History

Incoming UTA President James Spaniolo's first major decision with regards to athletics came in early 2005. The UTA student body had just approved a $2 an hour student fee for the resurrection of football and addition of two women's programs, golf and soccer. In January, President Spaniolo stated the university was going to pursue a new indoor arena for the university, which would replace Texas Hall for the athletic teams. The first step taken was a student vote in April 2005 that approved a $2 an hour student fee to fund the operations of the new indoor arena.

The planning continued as the location became more contentious than originally thought. There were two sites on Cooper Street that were thought to be the front runners. The City of Arlington even made an initial push for the university to build it off campus. Near the end of 2008, it was revealed the current location was in play, and that the special events arena would be part of a larger, mixed-use development. The final site selection approval from the Board of Regents came in early 2009. After approval, the physical planning for the arena and surrounding development began.

Ground breaking occurred on March 5, 2010. Along with numerous other cash gifts, in the fall of 2010, the university received $5 million for construction from Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

The grand opening of the facility was held on February 1, 2012, with a doubleheader of UT Arlington basketball when the women and men both defeated UT San Antonio in front of a then-record crowd of 6,228.

The men's basketball team has a record of 121–54 at College Park Center, the women's record is 93–69, and the volleyball team sports a 104–66 home record (through the end of the 2023/24 season).

In 2016, the CPC became the permanent home of the Dallas Wings.

Attendance

During the 2011–12 men's basketball season, UTA averaged 821 at Texas Hall while the last four games at CPC averaged 5,079. The team has averaged around 2,000 every year since opening. The 2015/16 season set an all-time program attendance average of 2,888 people per game.

^ Denotes Homecoming game ^^ Facility grand-opening ^^^ Women's basketball game

CPC has completely sold out three times, all of them concerts. Drake held the 1st concert ever, which was not open to the public, but rather to the UTA students and faculty, with 7,000 in attendance. The other two sellouts belong to Reach Records, as both Unashamed Tour shows in 2012 and 2013 surpassed 7,000 in attendance respectively.

Accolades

The U.S. Green Building Council recognized CPC with a LEED Gold certification.

In February 2012, the center was featured in a Billboard Magazine article about ten new and renovated venues were reshaping the national touring circuit.

Events

• ESPN Friday Night at the Fights, February 17, 2012.
• Drake, Club Paradise Tour, March 3, 2012.
• On June 10, 2012, the center hosted TNA Wrestling's Slammiversary pay per view, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of the organization.
• Passion Pit, September 2012.
• TobyMac, Eye on It Tour, October 2012.
• Unashamed Tour 2012: Come Alive (Reach Records), featuring Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, KB, PRo, Andy Mineo, and special guests Thi'sl and Propaganda, October 27, 2012
• Unashamed Tour V (2013) featuring Lecrae, Tedashii, Derek Minor, KB, and Andy Mineo, November 23, 2013
• TNA Wrestling's annual Slammiversary pay per view was once again held at the center on June 15, 2014, this time celebrating the company's 12th anniversary.
• On April 18, 2015, the center hosted "HBO After Dark Rumble" featuring the Junior Welterweight Championship match between undefeated Terence Crawford and top contender Thomas Dulorme.
• 2017 NCAA men's basketball NIT tournament hosted by UTA men's basketball team, March 20–22, 2017
• On October 6, 2017, the center hosted WWE Live.
• On December 10, 2022, the center hosted Ring of Honor's Final Battle.

References

References

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2. "University of Texas At Arlington College Park Center". Hunt Construction Group.
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5. (April 24, 2024). "Dallas City Council approves 15-year agreement for Dallas Wings to use downtown venue for games". WFAA.
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7. "CPC Promoters' Guide". [[University of Texas at Arlington]].
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10. (April 21, 2005). "Fee awaits final approval".
11. (February 12, 2009). "Board of Regents gives green light to special events center".
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13. "Celebrate College Park". [[University of Texas at Arlington]].
14. "College Park Center – the University of Texas at Arlington".
15. Waddell, Ray. (February 22, 2012). "How Ten New or Renovated Venues are Reshaping the Nations Touring Circuit". Billboard Magazine.
16. (February 17, 2012). "ESPN Friday Night at the Fights at UT Arlington".
17. (March 3, 2012). "Drake Christens UTA's College Park".
18. Caldwell, James. (March 18, 2012). "Location for TNA's Slammiversary PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch.
19. (June 11, 2012). "Passion Pit to perform September 14 at UT Arlington's College Park".
20. "Championship Boxing Heads to UTA's College Park Center | City of Arlington, TX".
21. "Event – College Park Center – the University of Texas at Arlington".
22. (2022-10-18). "ROH Final Battle 2022".