First National Bank Arena

First National Bank Arena (originally called the Convocation Center until 2017) is a 10,038-seat multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Arkansas State University, and is home to their college basketball team, the Red Wolves.[4]

First National Bank Arena
Location217 Olympic Drive
Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401
OwnerArkansas State University
OperatorArkansas State University
Capacity10,038 basketball
10,252-11,209 concerts and events [1]
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Broke ground1984
OpenedJuly 11, 1987
Construction cost$19 million
($48.9 million in 2022 dollars[2])
ArchitectWittenberg, Delony & Davidson
Structural engineerGeiger Engineers[3]
Tenants
Arkansas State University Red Wolves (NCAA) (1987–present)
Website
www.fnbarena.com

First National Bank Arena has three separate public venues including a 217-seat Auditorium, a banquet/meeting room that can be divided into 3 smaller meeting rooms, and the main arena, which has permanent seating for 10,475. First National Bank Arena hosts hundreds of events each year in these three venues, and well over 100,000 people walk through its doors each year.

History

The first event was the Class of 1987 commencement.[5] Throughout the years, First National Bank Arena has been host to many superstars including George Strait, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Alabama, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Eric Church in the last five years.

WWE has used First National Bank Arena for a Live Raw event. The Sun Belt Conference uses the versatile building to host the Indoor Track & Field Championships every other year. The building is home to Arkansas State University Men's & Women's Basketball as well as Women's Volleyball.

In 2009, the weight room was upgraded. The same thing happened the following year to the locker and media rooms. There are four visitor locker rooms, as well as smaller, official locker rooms throughout the building.

In 2012, the original scoreboard and sound system (from 1987) were replaced with four 25' × 12' HD video boards and a 28-speaker sound system. Also in 2012, an entirely new roof was installed, as well as upgrades to the Administrative Offices and Box Office.

See also

References

35°50′43.52″N 90°40′13.15″W


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