Moody Coliseum Explained

Moody Coliseum
Logo Image:Smu mustangs logo21.png
Location:6024 Airline Road
University Park, Texas 75205 United States
Broke Ground:1954
Opened:December 3, 1956
Renovated:2014
Owner:Southern Methodist University
Operator:Southern Methodist University
Construction Cost:$2.5 million
($ in dollars)
$40 million (renovations)
Architect:HKS, Inc.
Former Names:SMU Coliseum (1956 - 1965)
Tenants:SMU Mustangs (NCAA) (1956 - present)
Dallas/Texas Chaparrals (ABA) (1967 - 1973)
Dallas Diamonds (WBL) (1980 - 1981)
Seating Capacity:7,000 (2013–present)Ice Hockey 4,000 2014-present
8,998 (2000–2013)
9,007 (1983–2000)
8,900 (1972–1983)
9,305 (1956–1972)

Moody Coliseum is a 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Texas (an inner suburb of Dallas). The arena opened in 1956. It is home to the Southern Methodist University Mustangs basketball teams and volleyball team. It was also home to the Dallas Chaparrals and Texas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association before they moved to San Antonio, Texas, as the San Antonio Spurs. It was also later the home for the Dallas Diamonds of the Women's Professional Basketball League.

Moody Coliseum has been the home of SMU basketball since December 3, 1956, when the Mustangs defeated McMurry, 113–36. Moody has hosted Mustang Volleyball since the program's inception in 1996.

It was also home to the Dallas Mavericks on April 26, 1984, for Game 5 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the Seattle SuperSonics, locally referred to as "Moody Madness". The Mavericks won the game in overtime, 105–104. Less than 48 hours later, the Mavs lost Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals to the Los Angeles Lakers by 43 points en route to a 4-1 series loss.

The Coliseum has undergone several changes in the past few years to modernize the facility. In 1980–81, the newly remodeled E. O. ("Doc") Hayes Memorial Dressing Room was opened. In 1984, a new scoreboard was installed over the center circle and new chairback seats were built at floor level on the north side. In 1985, more chairback seats were added, this time in the west end. The original wood floor of Moody Coliseum was replaced with a new wood surface and new lighting was installed in August 1986. In 1996, the court was redesigned to mark SMU's entry into one of the premier basketball leagues in America, the Western Athletic Conference.

In December 2006, a brand new $1 million video board was installed. In addition, in the summer of 2007, the hardwood court was redesigned, with a new color scheme and midcourt logo for the Mustangs. In 2013 major renovations were made for the upcoming 2014 season, their first in the newly formed American Conference and with their new coach, legend Larry Brown. Renovations include: new concourses, lighting, seats, luxury boxes, Wi-Fi capability, floor color scheme and a LED scoreboard with LED signage around the arena. Cost of renovations this time topped the $40 million range.

History

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: February 25, 2014. Bria Hartley scores 25 points as top-ranked UConn women roll past SMU. ESPN. 28 Feb 2014.