Surface Hardwood Renovated 2002–2003 Opened 3 December 1955 | Broke ground 1953 Capacity 10,506 Owner Wichita State University | |
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Former names University of Wichita Field House (1955–1964)
WSU Field House (1964–1969)
Levitt Arena (1969–2003) Location Wichita State University
SE corner of 21st and Hillside
Wichita, Kansas 67260 United States Operator Wichita State University Team Wichita State Shockers men's basketball Similar Cessna Stadium, Eck Stadium, Intrust Bank Arena, SIU Arena, McLeod Center | ||
Welcome to the roundhouse charles koch arena
Charles Koch Arena is a 10,506-seat multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. It is home to the Wichita State Shockers men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams.
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History
The arena was originally built in 1953 as the University of Wichita Field House by what was then the Municipal University of Wichita. It was considered several years ahead of its time because of its circular design, which gave nearly every fan a clear sight line and put the seats very close to the action. As a result, it was quickly nicknamed "The Roundhouse," a name that has stuck to this day. When Wichita joined the state university system in 1964, the arena was renamed the WSU Field House.
In 1969, the arena was officially renamed Levitt Arena after Wichita department store magnate Henry Levitt, who had recently died. Levitt's Wichita clothing store sponsored basketball team won three consecutive national Amateur Athletic Union titles in the 1930s at a time when colleges and corporate-sponsored teams competed in the same tournament.
Endowment
Following a $6 million endowment from Charles Koch the arena underwent a $25 million renovation in 2002–03, popularly known as the "Roundhouse Renaissance." The old arena concourse was completely demolished and a new one built around the original playing/seating area. A portion of the seating bowl was remodeled to make for more legroom. All new seating was installed as well as a video scoreboard, and virtually every surface that was not renovated was given a fresh coat of paint. The Shocker basketball teams played at the Kansas Coliseum for the 2002–03 season while the arena was rebuilt, while the volleyball team played at the Heskett Center on the WSU campus.
Since 2008
Koch Arena hosted the 2008 Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 6A state wrestling tournament. The arena also hosts numerous high school basketball games involving schools from the Wichita City League. The KSHSAA Class 6A boys and girls basketball state tournaments moved to Koch Arena from Emporia State University's William L. White Auditorium in 2011.
As Levitt Arena it hosted the 1977 and 1989 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament title game. It also hosted games for the opening rounds of the 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.
In addition to concerts, the arena has also hosted the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice and Champions on Ice as both Levitt Arena and Koch Arena. American Idols Live! has performed annually at Koch Arena since 2003.
In December 2012, ESPN ranked Charles Koch Arena at number 10 in the nation in a poll on home-court advantages in College Basketball. In January 2013, ESPN's Jason King listed Koch Arena as the 7th best home court advantage in college basketball.