Facilities / Directions
The McKenzie Arena, originally named the UTC Arena, was officially dedicated in December, 1982. Its construction is the result of a cooperative venture between the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, The University of Tennessee and the State of Tennessee.
The 210,000-square-foot, $15.5 million multipurpose complex is home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's basketball teams. It also houses UTC's wrestling practice area, training room, athletic administrative offices, coaches offices and locker rooms for football, wrestling and men's and women's basketball.
The Arena was renamed The McKenzie Arena on Feb. 21, 2000 after a generous donation from supporters Toby McKenzie and Brenda Lawson of Cleveland, Tenn. The Arena's longtime nickname "The Roundhouse" came about because of the facility's round shape, but also because of the railroad tradition in the city. The building that housed the mechanism to turn locomotives around when it reached the terminal was known as the roundhouse.
The 10,928-seat Arena has two state-of-the-art video boards that enhance the fan experience at every men's and women's basketball home game. Expanded courtside seating and the "Gold Circle" provide fans with an excellent vantage to catch all of the action on the court.
The Arena has also supplied some major entertainment acts for the city of Chattanooga. In addition to ice shows, rodeos and circuses, the Arena has also set a stage for such performers as Elton John, Barry Manilow, Cher, Billy Joel and Alabama. Kenny Rogers was the building's first event, performing for a crowd of 12,000 on Oct. 8, 1982.
The Arena's most recent events have been concerts by Aerosmith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Shania Twain, Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood and many other national acts.
McKenzie Arena will serve as the host location for the Southern Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments in March 2011. It is the third time in the last seven seasons the Mocs have hosted the conference tournament, including 2005 and 2009.
Men's Basketball has a Rich Tradition in the McKenzie Arena
The University of Tennessee's men's basketball team came down from Knoxville to open the Arena on Dec. 1, 1982. A sellout crowd of 11,218 was on hand out to watch the Vols defeat the Mocs 56-49. The game turned out to be a showdown of two future NBA players. Tennessee's Dale Ellis led the Vols with 17 points, while UTC's Gerald Wilkins paced his squad with a game-high 20 points.
The Mocs have compiled an overall record of 338-85 in home games at the Arena, a winning percentage of .799. Throughout its history, McKenzie Arena has seen crowds average around the 5,000-range for its 423 Mocs games. Chattanooga has topped the 10,000-mark 11 times, including a sellout of 11,221 against Tennessee on Dec. 4, 2007.
Defending National Champion North Carolina also visited the UTC Arena during the 1982-83 season. The Tar Heels, who boasted such players as Brad Daugherty, Sam Perkins and a sophomore named Michael Jordan, managed a seven-point victory, 73-66. UTC's Willie White, who would also go on to play professionally, netted 26 points. Jordan finished with 27 points.
The Arena has had many other future NBA stars on its court, including current NBA players Stephen Curry (Davidson), Kevin Martin (Western Carolina), Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech) and Jason Smith (Colorado State). The NBA's Atlanta Hawks have held their mini-camp in the Arena for two summers.
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From Atlanta
Take I-75 North to I-24 West to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C). Stay on 4th Street to Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street . The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.
From Birmingham
Take I-59 North to I-24 East to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C.) Stay on 4th Street. Turn right on Mabel Street.
Turn right onto Mabel Street The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.
From Knoxville
Take I-75 South to I-24 West to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C). Stay on 4th Street to Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street. The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.
From Memphis
Take I-40 East to Nashville. Pick up I-440 loop to I-24 East. Take I-24 East to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C). Stay on 4th Street to Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street. The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.
From Nashville
Take I-24 East to US 27 North (Downtown Chattanooga). Exit at 4th Street (Exit 1C).
Stay on 4th Street to Mabel Street. Turn right onto Mabel Street. The McKenzie Arena is on the right. Visitor parking is available in the 500-space parking deck across from the arena.