Walker Field House

Walker Field House is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and is home to the Bradley Braves men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the Bradley Braves volleyball team. The arena has hosted various events, including concerts featuring Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson, as well as NCAA basketball tournaments, such as the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament, which has been held at Carver Arena and Scottrade Center. The field house has also been used for commencement ceremonies for Bradley University and other local institutions, including Illinois Central College and Peoria Notre Dame High School. The arena's design and construction were influenced by notable architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe, who were known for their work on buildings like the Guggenheim Museum and Seagram Building.

● History

The history of Walker Field House dates back to the early 20th century, when Bradley University was founded by Lydia Moss Bradley in 1897. The field house was built in the 1980s and has since undergone several renovations, including the addition of new seating and scoreboard systems, similar to those found at Madison Square Garden and United Center. The arena has hosted numerous events, including concerts by famous musicians like Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Lady Gaga, as well as wrestling matches featuring Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. The field house has also been used for conferences and meetings hosted by organizations like the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Volleyball Coaches Association, which have featured speakers like John Wooden and Mike Krzyzewski. Additionally, the arena has been used for events like the Peoria Rivermen hockey games and the Illinois High School Association state basketball tournament, which have been held at Peoria Civic Center and State Farm Center.

● Architecture

The architecture of Walker Field House is a unique blend of modern and traditional designs, with a seating capacity of over 4,000 and a total floor area of 45,000 square feet, similar to that of Hinkle Fieldhouse and Allen Fieldhouse. The arena's design was influenced by notable architects like I.M. Pei and Eero Saarinen, who were known for their work on buildings like the Louvre Pyramid and TWA Flight Center. The field house features a retro-style scoreboard and a state-of-the-art sound system, similar to those found at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. The arena's exterior design is reminiscent of other notable buildings, such as the Guggenheim Museum and Sydney Opera House, which were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Jørn Utzon, respectively. The field house has also been compared to other notable arenas, such as The Palestra and Cameron Indoor Stadium, which are known for their historic and intimate atmospheres.

● Facilities

The facilities at Walker Field House include a main arena with a hardwood floor, a concourse area with concessions and restrooms, and a lobby area with a box office and athletic department offices, similar to those found at Xfinity Center and PNC Arena. The arena also features a weight room and training room for the Bradley Braves athletic teams, as well as a press room and broadcast booth for media personnel, which have been used by notable broadcasters like ESPN and CBS Sports. The field house has also been used for events like the Missouri Valley Conference basketball tournament, which has been held at Arch Madness and Scottrade Center. Additionally, the arena has hosted events like the Peoria Rivermen hockey games and the Illinois High School Association state basketball tournament, which have been held at Peoria Civic Center and State Farm Center.

● Events

Walker Field House has hosted a wide range of events, including concerts by famous musicians like Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, and Kanye West, as well as comedy shows featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin Hart. The arena has also been used for wrestling matches featuring WWE superstars like John Cena and The Rock, as well as mixed martial arts events like UFC fights featuring Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor. The field house has also hosted conferences and meetings hosted by organizations like the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Volleyball Coaches Association, which have featured speakers like John Wooden and Mike Krzyzewski. Additionally, the arena has been used for events like the Peoria Rivermen hockey games and the Illinois High School Association state basketball tournament, which have been held at Peoria Civic Center and State Farm Center.

● Renovations

Walker Field House has undergone several renovations since its construction, including the addition of new seating and scoreboard systems, similar to those found at Madison Square Garden and United Center. The arena has also undergone renovations to its concourse area, including the addition of new concessions and restrooms, similar to those found at Xfinity Center and PNC Arena. The field house has also been upgraded with new sound and video systems, similar to those found at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. The renovations have been influenced by notable architects like I.M. Pei and Eero Saarinen, who were known for their work on buildings like the Louvre Pyramid and TWA Flight Center. The field house has also been compared to other notable arenas, such as The Palestra and Cameron Indoor Stadium, which are known for their historic and intimate atmospheres. The renovations have been funded by organizations like the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Missouri Valley Conference, which have also funded renovations at other notable arenas, such as Carver Arena and Scottrade Center.