Hearnes Center

Hearnes Center. The Hearnes Center is a 13,611-seat indoor arena located in Columbia, Missouri, on the campus of the University of Missouri. It is home to the Missouri Tigers men's basketball and Missouri Tigers women's basketball teams, and has hosted numerous events, including concerts by Elton John, KISS, and Aerosmith. The arena is named after Warren E. Hearnes, a former Governor of Missouri who served from 1965 to 1973 and was a key figure in the development of the University of Missouri.

● History

The Hearnes Center was built in 1972 and was designed by the architectural firm Sverdrup & Parcel, which also designed other notable buildings, including the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. The center was constructed during the tenure of University of Missouri president John W. Olson, who played a crucial role in the development of the university's athletic facilities, including the construction of Faurot Field and Taylor Stadium. The Hearnes Center has hosted many notable events, including concerts by The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Queen, as well as basketball games featuring teams like the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball and Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball. The center has also been the site of numerous Missouri Valley Conference and Big 12 Conference tournaments, featuring teams like the Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball and Texas Longhorns men's basketball.

● Architecture

The Hearnes Center features a unique design, with a hyperbolic paraboloid roof that provides a large, open interior space. The arena's design was influenced by the work of Eero Saarinen, a renowned architect who designed buildings like the TWA Flight Center and Dulles International Airport. The center's exterior is clad in brick and concrete, with a distinctive clock tower that serves as a landmark on the University of Missouri campus. The arena's interior features a hardwood floor and a state-of-the-art sound system, making it an ideal venue for concerts and sporting events, including games featuring teams like the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball and Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball.

● Facilities

The Hearnes Center features a range of facilities, including a main arena, a practice gym, and a weight room. The arena's main floor can be configured to accommodate a variety of events, including basketball games, concerts, and conventions. The center also features a number of luxury suites and club seats, offering premium amenities to fans of the Missouri Tigers men's basketball and Missouri Tigers women's basketball teams. The arena is also equipped with a state-of-the-art video scoreboard and a sound system designed by JBL Professional, making it an ideal venue for events like the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship and concerts by artists like Lady Gaga and Kanye West.

● Events

The Hearnes Center has hosted a wide range of events over the years, including concerts, basketball games, and conventions. The arena has been the site of numerous Missouri Tigers men's basketball and Missouri Tigers women's basketball games, as well as games featuring teams like the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball and North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball. The center has also hosted concerts by notable artists like Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac, as well as events like the Missouri State High School Activities Association basketball tournament and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics basketball tournament. The arena has also been the site of numerous University of Missouri commencement ceremonies, featuring speakers like Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush.

● Renovations

The Hearnes Center has undergone several renovations over the years, including a major renovation in 2003 that added new luxury suites and club seats to the arena. The renovation was designed by the architectural firm Ellerbe Becket, which also designed other notable buildings, including the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The center has also undergone renovations to its sound system and video scoreboard, making it an ideal venue for events like concerts and basketball games. The arena is currently undergoing a major renovation, which will add new amenities and improve the overall fan experience, with the goal of making it a top-notch venue for events like the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship and concerts by artists like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.

Category:Indoor arenas in the United States