Indiana Farmers Coliseum (originally Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum and later Pepsi Coliseum) is an 8,200-seat multi-purpose arena, in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was formerly known as the Indiana State Fair Coliseum. The current arena was built in 1939, replacing a previous coliseum that was built in 1907. It is located at the Indiana State Fair fairgrounds and is used for the state fair, as well as year round for various sporting events and other events.
On October 31, 1963, during a Holiday on Ice show, a propane leak at a concession stand caused an explosion which killed 74 people.[1] A memorial plaque was dedicated 40 years later in the building, but it has since been removed. Another plaque honoring the explosion victims currently hangs inside the building's entrance.
The arena was once home to the Indiana Pacers of the ABA (American Basketball Association), from 1967 to 1974. They moved into Market Square Arena in 1974, and in 1976, the Indiana Pacers became a franchise within the NBA (National Basketball Association).
The Indianapolis Checkers (IHL) played at the Pepsi Coliseum winning back to back Adams Cup Championships in 1982 and 1983. As of 1982, the Pepsi Coliseum has been home to the 2004, 2005, and now 2009 Indiana State Champion high school hockey team, the North Central Panthers.
As of 2020, it hosts two professional teams—the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, a minor ice hockey league, and the Naptown Roller Girls roller derby team.[2] In college basketball, it has been home to the IUPUI Jaguars men's basketball program since 2014 (the Jaguars women play on campus).
During the winter months, public ice skating is offered at the Pepsi Coliseum for a small fee. The Pepsi Coliseum also hosts Budweiser Fight Night Boxing, Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show, The Hoosier Horse Fair, high school and college commencement ceremonies, and many concerts featuring national acts.
The Pacers scheduled their first pre-season game of the 2008-2009 season at the Pepsi Coliseum for October 8, 2008 when they hosted the New Orleans Hornets.[3] 7,439 people watched the Pacers lose to the Hornets 105 to 71. The Pacers wore uniforms based on the 1967 to 1971 uniform design. Former ABA-Pacers George McGinnis, Darnell Hillman, Bob Netolicky, Don Buse, Jerry Harkness, Steve Green, Tom Thacker, Bill Newton, and Wayne Pack, attended the game and were recognized during a half-time ceremony.[4] During the game's first quarter, former Pacers coach and current radio commentator Slick Leonard sat on the Pacers' bench as head coach, while regular Head Coach Jim O'Brien joined Mark Boyle for the radio broadcast. [5]
References[]
- ↑ Drabek, Thomas (1995-05-18). "Disaster in Aisle 13 Revisited". http://www.library.ca.gov/CRB/96/05/over_4.html. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ↑ http://naptownrollergirls.com/schedule/home_bouts/
- ↑ "Pacers to play New Orleans in Pepsi Coliseum". Indianapolis Star. 2008-08-20. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/SPORTS04/80820089/1088. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ↑ Brunner, Conrad (2008-10-08). "A night to remember, a game to forget". National Basketball Association. http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5700022315. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
- ↑ "Former Pacers coach Leonard expected to coach". USA Today. October 8, 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2008-10-08-3220063469_x.htm.