Dahlberg Arena
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.[4] The arena opened 67 years ago 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.
"The Fieldhouse" | |
![]() Basketball court in 2006 | |
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Former names | Harry Adams Field House (1966–1999) UM Field House (1953–1966) |
---|---|
Location | University of Montana 32 Campus Drive Missoula, Montana |
Coordinates | 46.864°N 113.983°W |
Owner | University of Montana |
Operator | University of Montana |
Capacity | 7,321 (basketball) 5,500 (concerts) |
Surface | Wood |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 1951 |
Opened | December 18, 1953 [1] |
Renovated | 1999 |
Construction cost | $800,000 [2] ($7.64 million in 2019 dollars[3]) $14.7 million (1999 renovation) ($22.6 million in 2019 dollars[3]) |
Tenants | |
University of Montana Grizzlies (NCAA) |
Opened in late 1953,[2][1][5] the field house was named for newly-retired track coach Harry Adams in June 1966.[6] In the 1980s, Adams Field House seated over 9,000 and was known as the toughest arena for visiting teams in the Big Sky,[7][8] and also enjoyed a national reputation.[9] Its laminated wood arches were constructed in Portland, Oregon.[10] The elevation of the floor is approximately 3,200 feet (980 m) above sea level.
Alumnus George P. (Jiggs) Dahlberg (1900–1993)[11][12] was head coach of the Grizzlies from 1937 to 1955 and retired as athletic director in 1961.[13][14] He was one of four brothers known as "The Four Norseman of Butte" who competed in athletics for the Griz.[11]
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.[15]
References
- "Montana is licked in dedication game". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). December 19, 1953. p. 8.
- "Montana to play Vandals tonight". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). December 11, 1953. p. 16.
- Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- GoGriz.com - The Official Athletic site of The University of Montana Grizzlies - Facilities
- "Montana hopes to baptize gym". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 2, 1953. p. 16.
- "Field House named for Coach Adams". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). June 7, 1966. p. 6.
- Devlin, Vince (January 13, 1983). "Nobody but Grizzlies likes to play in Adams Field House". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 26.
- Devlin, Vince (January 17, 1984). "Trumbo discovers feeing time at The Zoo". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. C2.
- Finder, Chuck (November 27, 1987). "There's no place like these basketball homes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 19.
- "Huge arches to support University of Montana Fieldhouse". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). (photo). July 24, 1953. p. 6.
- "Montana legend Dahlberg dies at 93". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). wire reports. September 20, 1993. p. C5.
- "George P. Dahlberg". Find a Grave. (Missoula, Montana). Retrieved October 12, 2016.
- Devlin, Vince (January 12, 1961). "Montana's Dahlberg to end 23-year coaching career". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 17.
- Missildine, Harry (July 7, 1961). "After 28 years with Grizzlies". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 18.
- Dahlberg Arena - All Concerts | Setlisting