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Viejas Arena
One of the premier on-campus basketball arenas in all of America, Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl provides a 12,414-seat, state-of-the-art venue while keeping fans close to the floor and part of the action. Opened in 1997, the facility is the home of San Diego State Basketball and provides a venue for university functions, cultural events, concerts and other special-event programming. It features a unique open-air concourse design that allows fans to enjoy the excellent San Diego climate and adds a new experience to attending arena-type events. Until July 1, 2009, the arena's naming rights were owned by Cox Communications and was known as Cox Arena. On March 17, 2009, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians announced the signing of a 10-year naming rights agreement which changed the name to Viejas Arena.
The arena is built on the site of the old Aztec Bowl stadium which hosted San Diego State football games as well as other athletic, entertainment and cultural events from the time of its construction in 1936 until 1967. Built directly into a canyon hillside, Viejas Arena encloses one end of the old horseshoe-shaped Aztec Bowl. Two sections of the stadium's original concrete bleachers and cobblestone walls frame each side of the arena's north entrance. In addition, the university's 10-ton granite boulder, a California landmark commemorating President John F. Kennedy's 1963 commencement address at Aztec Bowl, has also been placed in this area.
In addition to Aztec basketball contests, Viejas Arena has played host to concerts by such artists as Cher, Eric Clapton, Britney Spears, No Doubt, Barry Manilow, Black Eyed Peas and Aerosmith. In the spring of 2001, Billy Joel and Elton John opened their world tour with a sold-out show at Viejas Arena. Viejas Arena seats 12,414 for sporting events. The seating includes the top nine rows consisting of bench seats with the remaining areas as chairbacks. The total seating is approximately 3,935 bench seats and 8,065 chairs. In the special event/concert configuration there are approximately 11,500 seats. All seating configurations are flexible and can be adjusted. The facility features a $1.2 million octagonal scoreboard with video-replay capabilities. The board also includes up-to-the-minute statistical information on individual players.
The facility is equipped with seven locker rooms, two of which are complete with team rooms, equipment rooms, and a shared training room. The men's team lounge was recently renovated and now includes three large-screen television sets, individual leather recliners and track lighting. The Mezzanine Level houses a VIP Room for banquets, pre and post-game functions, and other formal and informal gatherings. The room consists of a 2,200 square-foot space that can be divided into two rooms of 800 and 1,400 square feet. The 800-square foot area can also serve as an interview room for sporting events. After serving as host to the first and second rounds of the NCAA men's basketball championship in 2001, the building was the home of the 2001 NCAA women's volleyball national championship and has been awarded hosting the 2006 NCAA men's basketball first and second rounds.
Viejas Arena Facts
The Playing Floor Postseason Events Held in Viejas Arena
Men's Basketball Viejas Arena Home Record and Attendance
(end of 2008-09 season)
Largest Viejas Arena
Crowds (end of 2008-09 season)
Opponent Associated Press
national ranking at game time left of team name (Associated Press/coaches poll
if available). * -- Indicates conference game.
(c) -- indicates venue capacity.
game. (SS) --
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