Kohl Center

Kohl Center
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Name	Kohl Center
Location	Madison, Wisconsin
Opened	1998
Owner	University of Wisconsin–Madison
Operator	University of Wisconsin–Madison
Capacity	17,230 (basketball), 15,359 (hockey)
Architect	Brisbin Brook Beynon, Inc.; HNTB

Kohl Center is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. It serves as the primary indoor venue for major athletics and campus events, hosting large crowds for collegiate basketball and ice hockey competitions as well as commencement ceremonies and concerts. The arena is named for former Secretary of Commerce and philanthropist Herbert Kohl.

History

The concept for the arena emerged during planning by the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Badgers athletic department amid debates involving funding, donor support, and campus master plans. Groundbreaking followed approval from the Big Ten Conference member institutions and state authorities; the facility opened in a season that included 1998 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament preparations and early Big Ten Conference play. Development timelines intersected with the careers of coaches such as Bo Ryan and administrators like Pat Richter, while fundraising efforts involved entities including the Herbert H. Kohl Charities and private benefactors. The arena’s debut season hosted matchups against rivals from programs like University of Minnesota and Iowa, setting attendance patterns that have since featured series with Duke University, University of Michigan, and Ohio State University.

Architecture and design

Designed by firms including Brisbin Brook Beynon, Inc. and HNTB, the building reflects late-1990s arena design trends emphasizing sightlines for basketball and ice hockey with flexible seating arrangements seen in venues like Madison Square Garden and United Center. The façade incorporates materials consistent with nearby campus structures such as Camp Randall Stadium and features a bowl configuration comparable to contemporaneous facilities at Purdue University and University of Iowa. Structural and acoustic engineering addressed requirements similar to projects undertaken by firms on arenas like American Airlines Center and Staples Center while integrating amenities consistent with NCAA standards and Big Ten Conference regulations. Exterior orientation responds to campus circulation patterns linking to Red Gym and the Memorial Union.

Facilities and amenities

The interior contains a main bowl with variable seating capacities—approximately 17,000 for basketball and 15,000 for ice hockey—with premium suites and club areas patterned after facilities at venues like Times Union Center and Xcel Energy Center. Locker rooms and training facilities support teams coached by figures such as Mike Eaves and Greg Gard, while media accommodations have hosted outlets from networks including ESPN, Big Ten Network, and CBS Sports Network. Concession and retail spaces mirror operations found at arenas operated by ASM Global and hospitality packages used by TicketMaster partners. Adjacent practice rinks and support spaces align with athletic infrastructure standards championed by universities such as University of Michigan and Boston College.

Events and usage

Regular season men’s basketball and men’s ice hockey games dominate the calendar, including conference matchups against Michigan State University, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, and University of Minnesota. The venue also stages commencement ceremonies for the University, concerts featuring touring artists comparable to those who perform at Alliant Energy Center, and community events similar to those held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. It has accommodated postseason tournaments, exhibition games against international clubs, and speaking engagements involving figures like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton during campus visits. Broadcasts have been carried by ESPN, Big Ten Network, and FOX Sports Net.

Notable moments and records

The arena has seen milestone performances from athletes including Frank Kaminsky, Sidney Crosby (in exhibition contexts near campus), Alando Tucker, and Derek Stepan during collegiate careers and showcases. Record attendance dates correspond to marquee games against programs such as University of Michigan and Indiana University Bloomington, producing box office benchmarks akin to those at Assembly Hall (Indiana). Memorable upsets and tournament previews have drawn national attention via ESPN and CBS Sports, while ceremonial events have commemorated achievements tied to figures like Bucky Badger and athletic directors who shaped the program’s direction. Individual game records in scoring and attendance have been chronicled alongside Big Ten statistical leaders.

Tenants and teams

Primary tenants include the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team and the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team, with secondary use by the Wisconsin Badgers women's basketball program and club sports. The facility supports coaching staffs linked to personalities such as Bo Ryan, Greg Gard, and Mike Eaves, and houses administrative offices affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Athletics. It has also hosted visiting collegiate programs from the Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference opponents in non-conference matchups, and select professional exhibition teams from the NHL and minor leagues.

Category:Sports venues in Madison, Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison buildings