Canale Arena Explained

Stadium Name:Canale Arena
Location:650 East Parkway South
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Coordinates:35.1267°N -89.983°W
Opened:1950
Renovated:December 10, 2004
Architect:Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects[1]
Former Names:De La Salle Gymnasium
Seating Capacity:1,000
Publictransit: MATA

Canale Arena (formerly De La Salle Gymnasium) is the on-campus athletic facility for Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee.

Buccaneers

See main article: Christian Brothers University Buccaneers. Canale Arena is home to the Buccaneer and Lady Buccaneer basketball and volleyball teams.

The Buccaneer basketball team was the Gulf South Conference champion in 2008.[2]

History

Origin

The original structure was completed in 1950.[3] At that time, it was the largest indoor arena in the city of Memphis.[4]

Renovation

The arena was fully renovated in 2004. Among renovations were the addition of new stadium seating, bleachers, a hospitality suite, a Hall of Fame conference room, restrooms, a lobby, and Canale Cafe. The arena has a stated capacity of 1,000.[4]

Namesake

The athletic facility was originally named De La Salle Gymnasium in honor of St. John Baptist de la Salle, the founder of the Christian Brothers.[4] The Lasallian Christian Brothers, a Roman Catholic religious institute, founded Christian Brothers University in 1871.[3]

When the facility was reopened and blessed on December 10, 2004, it was renamed in honor of John D. Canale Jr. Memphis businessman John D. Canale Jr. served on the university's board of trustees from 1970 to 1983 and received the university's prestigious Maurelian Medal in 1994 for his support of and service to the university. Canale's history of contribution to the university includes raising funds in 1949 to build De La Salle Gymnasium. Additionally, Canale donated the funding to build the John Canale Pool on campus in 1986. The pool was named in honor of Canale's father, John D. Canale Sr., a lifelong supporter of the Christian Brothers and valedictorian of the Christian Brothers College class of 1891.[4]

References

  1. Web site: Christian Brothers University, Master Plan . Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects . 2008-05-31 .
  2. Web site: March 9, 2008 . Bucs Hold On For First GSC Championship, 93-89 . Christian Brothers University Athletics . Opperman . Eric . 2008-10-12.
  3. Web site: CBU Chronology . Christian Brothers University . 2008-05-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080616030514/http://www2.cbu.edu/cbu/AboutCBU/OverviewHistory/chronology/index.htm# . 2008-06-16 . dead .
  4. Web site: December 1, 2004 . Canale Family Foundation Provides Lead Gift: CBU to Dedicate Renovated Arena on December 10 . Christian Brothers University . Kerr . John . 2008-05-29.

External links