Littlejohn Coliseum

Summary

The Littlejohn Coliseum is a 9,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Clemson, South Carolina, United States. It is home to the Clemson University Tigers men's and women's basketball teams. It is also the site of Clemson graduations and the Clemson Career Fair. It is owned and operated by Clemson University and hosts more than 150 events per year including concerts, trade shows, galas, and sporting events.

Littlejohn Coliseum
Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, before the first official game in the renovated arena, vs Georgia
Map
LocationCentennial Boulevard
Clemson, South Carolina, USA 29631
Coordinates34°40′49″N 82°50′47″W / 34.68028°N 82.84639°W / 34.68028; -82.84639
OwnerClemson University
OperatorClemson University
Capacity9,000 (basketball)
8,400 (End Stage 360)
7,559 (End Stage 270)
6,584 (End Stage 230)
5,771 (End Stage 180)
4,375 (Side Stage)
SurfaceHardwood
Construction
Broke groundDecember 13, 1966
OpenedNovember 30, 1968
RenovatedJanuary 5, 2003
October 14, 2016
Construction cost$8 million
($70.1 million in 2023 dollars[1])
ArchitectJ.E. Sirrine Company[2]
HOK Sport (renovation)
Structural engineerGeiger Engineers (new roof for renovation)
General contractorCecil's Inc.[2]
Tenants
Clemson Tigers Basketball
Men (1968–2002, 2003–2015, 2016–present)
Women (1975–2002, 2003–2015, 2016–present) (NCAA)

History edit

Littlejohn Coliseum was first opened in 1968. Littlejohn was named after James C. Littlejohn, class of 1908, who was Clemson’s first business manager and was involved in the building of various other athletic projects, such as Memorial Stadium.[3] Along with basketball, the Coliseum has hosted concerts by Rod Stewart, Huey Lewis & The News, John Cougar Mellencamp, Ozzy Osbourne, David Lee Roth, and many others.[4]

 
Littlejohn Coliseum from the inside (2003-2015 configuration)
 
Littlejohn Coliseum from the outside

Renovations were done in the winter of 2002 that saw the Clemson teams play at Civic Center of Anderson for November and December of that year. [5] In 2011, Clemson announced a $50 million athletic building plan. As a part of this plan, Littlejohn Coliseum was renovated. An additional practice facility was built at the southwest corner of Littlejohn Coliseum. Cost for the project was estimated at $5 million.[6] The renovation was completed with an opening ceremony on October 14, 2016. The construction project cost a total of $63.5 million.[7] The renovated studio included the new Swann Pavilion, which includes a 13,000-square-foot (1,200 m2) practice gym, team suites, a film room, weight room and lounges. The renovation also upgraded the stadium entrance, exterior, and added two new LED boards. To fit in the new facilities, the basketball floor was rotated 90 degrees, and the arena capacity was reduced to 9,000 seats.[8][9]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Littlejohn Coliseum Closed for Roof Repairs". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. September 15, 1989. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  3. ^ Matthew, Carroll. "Littlejohn Coliseum-History of Littlejohn Coliseum". Upcountry Historical. Upcountry Historical. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  4. ^ https://www.setlist.fm/ref> "Coliseum to be new, improved and ready to go". By Dan Hope, Anderson Independent Mail, July 03, 2016
  5. ^ Clemson Reaches Agreement with Civic Center of Anderson, Atlantic Coast Conference, April 3, 2002, archived from the original on March 22, 2012, retrieved 2009-07-18
  6. ^ "Clemson Unveils $50M Athletic Building Plan". WSPA. Spartanburg. January 14, 2011. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  7. ^ "Top-seeded Kansas to face upstart Clemson in Midwest". Montreal Gazette, March 22, 2018
  8. ^ "Renovations of Clemson's Littlejohn Coliseum complete". Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  9. ^ "Clemson arena makes turn for the better". Sports Business Daily, By Don Muret, October 24, 2016.

External links edit

  • Official site
  • Littlejohn Coliseum - Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site