User:Dgiovag/sandbox/Redbird Arena 2

As the Illinois State University sporting arena Redbird Arena is home to multiple different sporting teams at Illinois State including the Men's and Women's basketball teams and the women's volley ball team. Outside of sporting events the arena is also used for different kinds of entertainment such as shows, concerts, speakers, etc. This venue is of great importance to the redbirds because not only is it thought to be a home to multiple sports teams but also a place of importance in Redbird history where some of the greatest moments in Redbird history have taken place.

history
The construction of the Arena itself began in 1989. Before the operation of construction began there was a time period of design, this time period began in February of 1984 and lasted until the spring of 1985, after the building plan and design was finalized the construction began. When finally completed the Redbird Arena was opened and ready for use for the many different types of sporting events that take place in the stadium. These sporting types include basketball games and volleyball games. After construction was complete the court inside Redbird Arena was named "Doug Collins Court" after Doug Collins the famous basket ball player who started at Illinois State University from 1971-1973.

Sporting Events
The redbird arena hosts big sporting events for Illinois State University including the Women and Men's Basketball teams and the Volleyball teams. These events are hosted by Illinois State and put on for Illinois State sports teams. Redbird Arena hosts a lot of Illinois State sporting events but it also hosts a large amount of high school sporting events. Many tournaments for state of Illinois high school volleyball and basket ball are hosted at redbird arena and have been since 1993. Different reporters and news articles have spoken very highly of Redbird Arena and it's facilities.

Description
Redbird Arena has a seating capacity of 10,200 and the farthest seat from the floor is only about 250 feet away.The arena is made up of and has 24 teflon-coated, fiberglass fabric panels for the roof. It has a portable wooden floor which sits on top of a concrete deck. The lighting system in the arena changes based on the different kinds of events that are going on. The redbird arena is the second largest state arena in the state of Illinois. Redbird arena also has locker rooms plus full-service training and strength facilities close in proximity.