Hilton Coliseum
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| Hilton Coliseum | |
|---|---|
| Name | Hilton Coliseum |
| Location | Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa |
| Broke ground | 1969 |
| Opened | 1971 |
| Owner | Iowa State University |
| Operator | Iowa State University |
| Surface | Hardwood (basketball), Ice (hockey) |
| Construction cost | $8.1 million |
| Architect | Brooks-Borg, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill |
| Tenants | Iowa State Cyclones (NCAA), Men's basketball (1971–present), Women's basketball (1974–present), Wrestling (1971–present), Gymnastics (1971–present), Volleyball (1975–present), United States Hockey League (1996–2020) |
| Seating capacity | 14,267 (basketball), 14,356 (wrestling) |
Hilton Coliseum. It is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Since opening in 1971, it has served as the primary home venue for several Iowa State Cyclones athletic teams and has hosted a wide array of major concerts, family shows, and sporting events. The facility is renowned for its intense atmosphere during Cyclone basketball games, earning national recognition as one of the toughest venues for visiting teams in college basketball.
History
Planning for a new arena began in the late 1960s under the leadership of Iowa State University president W. Robert Parks and athletic director Clyde Williams. The project was financed through revenue bonds, with no state appropriations or student fees used. Groundbreaking occurred in 1969, and the arena opened on December 2, 1971, with a men's basketball game against the University of Arizona. It was named in honor of James Hilton, a former member of the Iowa Board of Regents and a prominent advocate for the project. The inaugural season saw the wrestling team capture the 1972 NCAA championship, establishing an early tradition of success within the new building.
Architecture and features
The coliseum was designed by the architectural firms Brooks-Borg of Des Moines and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago. Its distinctive octagonal design and cantilevered upper deck were innovative for the era, providing unobstructed sightlines from all 14,267 seats for basketball. The main concourse features displays honoring Iowa State Cyclones greats like Fred Hoiberg, Jeff Hornacek, and Cael Sanderson. The playing floor is named "Hilton Magic" court, a nod to the legendary home-court advantage. Other facilities include the Cyclone Athletics Hall of Fame and dedicated locker rooms for women's basketball and volleyball.
Events
Beyond Cyclone athletics, the venue has hosted a diverse roster of events. It was the home of the United States Hockey League's Iowa State hockey team and later the USHL's Iowa Heartlanders for many years. It has staged multiple NCAA Wrestling Championships and NCAA women's basketball tournament games. Major concerts have featured artists such as Elton John, Garth Brooks, Pearl Jam, and Taylor Swift. The coliseum has also been a site for Harlem Globetrotters exhibitions, Monster Jam truck shows, and large-scale university events like Iowa State University commencements.
Renovations
The first significant renovation occurred in 1997, which added new scoreboards, sound system upgrades, and improved concession areas. A major $20 million project was completed in 2015, focusing on fan amenities and infrastructure. This update included a new center-hung video board, a modernized sound system, renovated restrooms, and enhanced premium seating options like the Cyclone Club lounge. Further upgrades to lighting, basketball court design, and wrestler training facilities have been implemented periodically to maintain the arena's status as a premier Midwest venue.
See also
* Jack Trice Stadium * Stephens Auditorium * Big 12 Conference * Cy-Hawk Trophy
Category:Iowa State University Category:Indoor arenas in Iowa Category:NCAA Division I basketball venues Category:Buildings and structures in Ames, Iowa