Dahlberg Arena Explained

Stadium Name:University of Montana
Dahlberg Arena
Nickname:"The Fieldhouse"
Location:University of Montana
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, Montana
Broke Ground:1951
Opened:December 18, 1953 [1]
Renovated:1999
Owner:University of Montana
Operator:University of Montana
Surface:Wood
Construction Cost:$800,000 [2]
($ in dollars)
$14.7 million (1999 renovation)
($ in dollars)
Former Names:Harry Adams Field House (1966–1999)
UM Field House (1953–1966)
Tenants:University of Montana Grizzlies (NCAA)
Seating Capacity:7,321 (basketball)
5,500 (concerts)

Dahlberg Arena is a 7,321-seat multi-purpose arena in the western United States, located on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula.[3] The arena opened in 1953 and is home to the Montana Grizzlies and Lady Griz basketball teams. It has hosted the Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament five times: 1978, 1991, 1992, 2000, and 2012.

Opened in late 1953,[2] [1] [4] the field house was named for newly retired track coach Harry Adams in June 1966.[5] In the 1980s, Adams Field House seated over 9,000 and was known as the toughest arena for visiting teams in the Big Sky due to its belligerent crowd and (at one time) tartan flooring,[6] [7] and also enjoyed a national reputation.[8] Its laminated wood arches were constructed in Portland, Oregon.[9] The elevation of the floor is approximately 3200feet above sea level.

Alumnus George P. (Jiggs) Dahlberg[10] was head coach of the Grizzlies from 1937 to 1955 and retired as athletic director in 1961.[11] [12] He was one of four brothers known as "The Four Norseman of Butte" who competed in athletics for the Griz.[10]

The arena can be configured to seat 5,500 people for a traditionally staged concert or can use all of the seats for a concert with a central stage. It has hosted many concerts, including Pearl Jam, Grateful Dead, Gym Class Heroes, Rascal Flatts, and Macklemore.[13]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Montana is licked in dedication game . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . December 19, 1953 . 8.
  2. News: Montana to play Vandals tonight . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . December 11, 1953 . 16 .
  3. Web site: GoGriz.com - The Official Athletic site of The University of Montana Grizzlies - Facilities . 2012-02-12 . 2012-03-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120306232009/http://www.gogriz.com/facilities/mont-dahlberg-arena.html . dead .
  4. News: Montana hopes to baptize gym . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press . December 2, 1953 . 16.
  5. News: Field House named for Coach Adams . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . June 7, 1966 . 6 .
  6. News: Nobody but Grizzlies likes to play in Adams Field House . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Devlin . Vince . January 13, 1983 . 26 .
  7. News: Trumbo discovers feeding time at The Zoo . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Devlin . Vince . January 17, 1984 . C2 .
  8. News: There's no place like these basketball homes . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Finder . Chuck . November 27, 1987 . 19.
  9. News: Huge arches to support University of Montana Fieldhouse . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). (photo). July 24, 1953 . 6.
  10. News: Montana legend Dahlberg dies at 93 . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . wire reports . September 20, 1993 . C5 .
  11. News: Montana's Dahlberg to end 23-year coaching career . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Devlin . Vince . January 12, 1961 . 17 .
  12. News: After 28 years with Grizzlies . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Missildine . Harry . July 7, 1961 . 18.
  13. http://www.setlisting.com/venues/dahlberg-arena-missoula-mt-usa/concerts Dahlberg Arena - All Concerts | Setlisting