Gill Coliseum

Gill Coliseum. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, it is a multi-purpose arena that serves as the home of the Oregon State Beavers men's basketball and Oregon State Beavers women's basketball teams. The coliseum is owned and operated by Oregon State University and has a seating capacity of 9,604. It has hosted various events, including concerts, NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games, and Pac-12 Conference tournaments, featuring teams like the University of Oregon Ducks, University of Washington Huskies, and Stanford University Cardinal.

● History

The construction of the coliseum began in the late 1940s, and it was opened in 1949, named after Amory T. Gill, a former Oregon State University athletic director. The coliseum has undergone several renovations since its opening, with significant upgrades in the 1990s and 2000s, funded in part by donations from Reser Family, Patty Bedient, and Mike Riley. The coliseum has hosted numerous notable events, including games featuring the Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Golden State Warriors, as well as concerts by famous artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson. The coliseum has also been used for various Oregon State University events, such as commencement ceremonies, featuring speakers like Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Condoleezza Rice.

● Architecture

The coliseum's design is a classic example of mid-20th-century arena architecture, with a simple and functional layout, inspired by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright and Eero Saarinen. The building features a large, open interior space with a Hardwood floor, surrounded by a series of Concrete and Steel beams, similar to those used in the construction of the Rose Garden and KeyArena. The coliseum's exterior is clad in Brick and Stone, with a distinctive Clock tower that serves as a landmark on the Oregon State University campus, similar to the Campanile at University of California, Berkeley. The coliseum's design has been influenced by other notable buildings, such as the Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, and Wembley Stadium.

● Events

The coliseum has hosted a wide range of events over the years, including concerts, NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games, and Pac-12 Conference tournaments, featuring teams like the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins, University of Southern California Trojans, and University of Arizona Wildcats. The coliseum has also been used for various Oregon State University events, such as commencement ceremonies, featuring speakers like Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and Nelson Mandela. In addition, the coliseum has hosted games featuring the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, as well as concerts by famous artists like The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, and Kanye West. The coliseum has also been used for events like the Oregon State Fair, Corvallis Fall Festival, and Da Vinci Days, featuring performances by artists like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z.

● Seating

The coliseum has a seating capacity of 9,604, with a variety of seating options available, including Club seats, Suite seats, and General admission seating, similar to those found at the Moda Center and Chase Center. The coliseum's seating arrangement is designed to provide an intimate and exciting experience for fans, with seats located close to the action on the court, similar to the seating arrangements at the United Center and TD Garden. The coliseum's seating has been influenced by other notable arenas, such as the Staples Center, American Airlines Arena, and Barclays Center.

● Renovations

The coliseum has undergone several renovations since its opening, with significant upgrades in the 1990s and 2000s, funded in part by donations from Phil Knight, Nike, Inc., and The Boeing Company. The renovations have included the installation of new Scoreboard and Sound systems, as well as the addition of new Concession stands and Restrooms, similar to those found at the Rose Bowl and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The coliseum's renovations have been influenced by other notable arenas, such as the AT&T Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, and MetLife Stadium.

● Notable_events

The coliseum has hosted numerous notable events over the years, including games featuring the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Celtics, as well as concerts by famous artists like Elton John, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen. The coliseum has also been used for various Oregon State University events, such as commencement ceremonies, featuring speakers like George H.W. Bush, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey. In addition, the coliseum has hosted events like the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, Pac-12 Conference tournaments, and Oregon State Fair, featuring performances by artists like Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Rihanna. The coliseum has also been used for events like the Corvallis Fall Festival, Da Vinci Days, and Oregon Festival of American Music, featuring performances by artists like Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, and Harry Connick Jr..

Category:Indoor arenas in the United States