Surface Hardwood Opened August 30, 2002 Phone +1 815-243-1824 | Broke ground 2000 Capacity 10,000 | |
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Location 1525 West Lincoln Highway
DeKalb, Illinois, 60115-2854, USA Owner Northern Illinois University Operator Northern Illinois University Address 1525 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA Similar Egyptian Theatre, Huskie Stadium, Eastern Michigan University, Memorial Athletic and Conv, Barsema Alumni and Visitor's C Profiles | ||
Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, at 1525 W Lincoln Hwy, in DeKalb, Illinois, USA. The arena opened in 2002. The Convocation Center is home to both the Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball and women's basketball teams, volleyball, Wrestling, gymnastics, and women's indoor track and field squads. Previously, the basketball teams played at the Chick Evans Field House. The Convocation Center also houses many other events including the opening convocation ceremony for freshmen, concerts, job fairs, expositions, and the annual graduation ceremony.
The first Northern Illinois athletic event in the new facility happened on August 30, 2002, when the Huskies women's volleyball team defeated IUPUI, 3–1, in the opening round of the Best Western Invitational at Victor E. Court.
Entertainers that have performed at the center include Bob Dylan (from MN), Bill Cosby, Blue Man Group, Brooks & Dunn, Daughtry, Drake, Dave Chappelle, Sugarland, Goo Goo Dolls, 3 Doors Down, Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Chamillionaire, Chingy (from STL), Rascal Flatts (from OH), Michelle Branch, John Mayer, Wayne Brady, O.A.R., Hoobastank, Ludacris (from IL. In 2003.), Ashlee Simpson, Jason Aldean, REO Speedwagon (from Champaign), Ja Rule, Counting Crows, Bill Engvall, Jimmy Eat World with Paramore, B.B. King, 311 (from Omaha), Cheap Trick (from Rockford), Joan Jett, Cedric the Entertainer (from STL), Larry the Cable Guy (from NE), Nelly and St. Lunatics in 2005, Sheryl Crow (from MO), Ciara, Dierks Bentley, Kanye West (from Oak Lawn, IL. In 2005.), Twista (from the Chi. In 2005.) Lupe Fiasco (from Chicago. In 2011.), Kid Cudi (from OH), Incubus, Staind, Big & Rich, Casting Crowns, Styx (from Chicago) with Kansas, Jars of Clay (from IL), Gretchen Wilson (from IL), Brett Eldredge (from IL), Garrison Keillor (from MN), Sesame Street Live, Young Jeezy, T.I., and T-Pain.
The arena was also the site of a memorial service held on February 24, 2008 in tribute to the victims of the Northern Illinois University shooting. Bon Jovi was scheduled to rehearse at the arena beginning February 14, 2008, prior to the start of the North American leg of their Lost Highway Tour on February 18 in Omaha, but was forced to start the tour without rehearsals due to the NIU shooting and the subsequent closure of the campus.
A county-wide meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses takes place here yearly during the second weekend of August.